Train to gatwick

[diddldonna]

I haven't traveled by train to gatwick before so really nervous.

Our train tickets and online info states:

Norwich to Liverpool st, then central link to bank, then change onto northern line to London bridge, we then get a train from here to gatwick.

Anyone done this route before and can offer advice, each of us will have 1 piece of luggage, I hate going down escalators (how many times will I have to do this?)

Also when we get to gatwick does it go to north or south terminal?

Any help would be great.

 

[Kath2003]

I haven't traveled by train to gatwick before so really nervous.

Our train tickets and online info states:

Norwich to Liverpool st, then central link to bank, then change onto northern line to London bridge, we then get a train from here to gatwick.

Anyone done this route before and can offer advice, each of us will have 1 piece of luggage, I hate going down escalators (how many times will I have to do this?)

Also when we get to gatwick does it go to north or south terminal?

Any help would be great.

Not done it but use the tube a fair bit...

You will need to take your luggage down onto the tube at Liverpool Street. It's like one stop to Bank, then you probably won't need to go on any more escalators etc. to get to the Northern Line - I believe there are stairs. After that, take the the northern line south to London Bridge - again, it's like one stop. Then you'll need to "resurface" - escalator again.

The best advice I can give you regarding the underground is..
a) leave plenty of time
b) STAND OUT OF THE WAY when you enter/exit the tube. When you get off the tube, find a place OUT OF THE WAY to let the hoards of people pass you by. THEN start making your trip to the next part of your journey. You can move at your own pace without inconveniencing others and neither party will feel frustrated.
c) Make sure you can lift your case. Easily. You will need to.
d) Don't even bother trying to get a seat on the tube, there's no point for one stop.
e) Whatever you do, DO NOT stop dead at the top/bottom of escalators. PULL OVER out of the way until you work out where you need to go next. If you just stop dead and start looking around for your next platform etc. then all the people behind you start piling up - and getting VERY annoyed. This happens a lot...

BTW a cab will be like £20 if you want to avoid the Tube.

The train station at Gatwick is at the South terminal but there's a shuttle to the North terminal (free).

 

[Sencybil]

Yes, there will be quite a bit of escalators, but do not panic, it is all really clearly signposted, just leave plenty of time so you are not having to rush too much.

At London Bridge you will need to head to platforms 8 - 16. The station is split in 2 really. The Gatwick trains will be from platforms 8 upwards.

Another option at Liverpool Street would be to get on the Circle line and go to Victoria. This might take a little longer but would avoid the change from Central to Northern lines. At Victoria you would have to carry your luggage up a short flight of steps, as there are no escalators between the Circle / District platforms and the train station. At Victoria the train would be from platforms 15 - 19. Sounds like you can't take the Gatwick Express - as this is a premium service and you have to pay extra for it. But many of the other trains call at Gatwick, so you wil not have to wait long.

What time do you need to be at Gatwick? Travelling during the morning peak can be really busy and commuters do not have a lot of patience with suitcases As a bonus though the trains headng out of London to Gatwick will be nearly empty at that time of the morning.....

Do ask if you have nay further questions...

Sencybil xx

 

[diddldonna]

Our train arrives into Liverpool street at 1pm on a Sunday, we are traveling down the day before our flight so can take time.

Thanks for the advice regarding escalators, I am ok about going up them, it's just the down bit I have difficulties with.

The taxi really does sound like a good option, do they have big taxis to take 4 with 4 cases outside stations?

 

[queendisney]

The taxi really does sound like a good option, do they have big taxis to take 4 with 4 cases outside stations?

Yes you will be ok with a black cab and should easily find one outside Liverpool Street..

 

[diddldonna]

Lol I mentioned taxi to hubby and he said that he would go down with my son and daughter leave me at top, then come back up and get my piece of luggage and I can get on with out worrying so much, lol. I feel so stupid that thinking about the holiday is shadowed by stupid escalators.

 

[queendisney]

Lol I mentioned taxi to hubby and he said that he would go down with my son and daughter leave me at top, then come back up and get my piece of luggage and I can get on with out worrying so much, lol. I feel so stupid that thinking about the holiday is shadowed by stupid escalators.

I understand where you are coming from...those London Underground escalators can be VERY long and steep without having a suitcase to cope with as well..They should all have lifts like the one at Covent Garden!!
Your other option is to shove the suitcase down the middle section of the up and down escalator and meet it at the bottom...

 

[OhanaSam]

I'm like you! I'm terrified of escalators,especially the ones in London, they seem to move twice as fast as regular ones and people pushing you out of the way doesn't help.

We'll be going down on a Sunday night so the tube shouldn't be too busy and we're only going from King's Cross to Victoria, so hopefully it'll be ok

 

[Elise79]

I'm like you! I'm terrified of escalators,especially the ones in London, they seem to move twice as fast as regular ones and people pushing you out of the way doesn't help.

We'll be going down on a Sunday night so the tube shouldn't be too busy and we're only going from King's Cross to Victoria, so hopefully it'll be ok

If you wanted you can avoid the tube - when you get to kings cross just walk across to St Pancres and get the train from there direct to Gatwick and it takes about 45 mins. Bonus is that is cheaper than the Gatwick Express too.

 

[OhanaSam]

If you wanted you can avoid the tube - when you get to kings cross just walk across to St Pancres and get the train from there direct to Gatwick and it takes about 45 mins. Bonus is that is cheaper than the Gatwick Express too.

Oh i didn't know that, thank you Every time I've looked it says Kings Cross to Victoria then Victoria to Gatwick

 

[Duck In Blue]

Does your train stop at Stratford? If so you can take the Jubilee Line straight from Stratford to London Bridge and avoid having to change tubes. Be aware that at London Bridge First Capital Connect trains (the ones that go to Gatwick) normally depart from platform 5, they only depart from platforms 8 upwards if there is engineering work. These trains come from Bedford and as a previous poster said you can also pick them at St Pancras but even easier than that is going to Farringdon which is the stop before and no escalators! You just take the Circle, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan Lines straight from Liverpool Street and at Farringdon on the way out just cross the platform for the train to Gatwick. Just be careful if you were thinking about going via Victoria, the Gatwick Express is a "premium" service and depending on the ticket you have you may not be able to use it.

 

[Sencybil]

Southern trains go from both London Bridge and Victoria from the platforms I mentioned. These trains are not the Gatwick Express, which is a third service provider and departs Victoria platforms 13 and 14.

First Capital Connect trains are a good option too, and sorry I forgot about those! However, as you are coming in to Liverpool Street, not Kings Cross, you can't just walk to St Pancras.

The change at Stratford suggestion is a really good one if your first train stops there. There are lifts from the Jubillee line up to the ticket hall level at London Bridge - and then just a short escalator up or steps up to the train platforms. You can do it without escalators/ stairs but its a longish walk to carry your case.

Sunday can be quite busy - just so you're not expecting it to be quiet, but there isn't the same manic head down power walking vibe as during a weekday peak

Sencybil xx

 

[diddldonna]

Thanks for the idea regarding the Stratford stop, I think it normally stops there. Do I get the tube straight from that stop I get off or do I need to go underground for the jubilee train. Will my ticket cover this route if I change it slightly?

See update below, so ignore this lol x

 

[diddldonna]

Looks like I am out of luck on way there as just checked online and it doesn't stop there on way there but on way back I can use that jubilee route suggested.

 

[Shazzie B]

Lol I mentioned taxi to hubby and he said that he would go down with my son and daughter leave me at top, then come back up and get my piece of luggage and I can get on with out worrying so much, lol. I feel so stupid that thinking about the holiday is shadowed by stupid escalators.

I thought it was just me I hate the 'down' ones too - I have to have DH or DS stand behind me as they know to leave a gap - if anyone even gives me the gentleist touch from behind I feel like I'm going to fall - I wouldn't take my case either - DH does the honours like yours! Travelling on a Sunday should be fine; you'll have plenty of time which helps reduce the panic. There's not many benefits of living near Bedford - but the train line to Gatwick is certainly one of them - shame we're travelling from Heathrow this year (Going to NY 1st)

 

[AshleighYu]

I haven't traveled by train to gatwick before so really nervous.

Our train tickets and online info states:

Norwich to Liverpool st, then central link to bank, then change onto northern line to London bridge, we then get a train from here to gatwick.

Anyone done this route before and can offer advice, each of us will have 1 piece of luggage, I hate going down escalators (how many times will I have to do this?)

Also when we get to gatwick does it go to north or south terminal?

Any help would be great.

I go from Norwich into London a lot as I have family in Norwich. To save changing I suggest you get the circle line (yellow line) from Liverpool street straight to Victoria, then there are several services going to gatwick. One of which is the gatwick express. If you have already purchased tickets to go from London Bridge then I'd stick with the route you have.

 

[diddldonna]

Update:

You will all be really proud of me, I managed going down a set of escalators with my suitcase. I don't know how I managed it but so pleased with myself lol. We have had a smooth journey to airport by train.

 

[Shazzie B]

You had your eye on the prize - Disney

Have a fantastic holiday

 

[PJB71]

Well done

Now you can really start & enjoy your holiday