Transatlantic Pre Cruise Q

[jeanmonti]

From Gatwick into London you have several choices for transportation. You can take a cab......(expensive), if your hotel offers a shuttle you can use that. You can take the "tube" (public trains) into the city. This is the cheapest, if you are comfortable with using public transportation and hauling luggage onboard this is a good option. For a slightly more expensive but easier option you can use the Gatwick Express trains. The GE trains are especially useful if you are staying near Victoria Station because they go directly to Victoria Station. It's around 17 pounds if you pre-purchase, and even though you pick a time, their website does state you can use it for any train that day (or 2 days after). You can also just purchase the tickets at the airport which will be around 19 pounds. These trains are usually less crowded, and have a bit more room for storing luggage, since they are designed for airport travelers to get to and from London. It takes around 30 minutes from Gatwick to Victoria Station on the GE trains.

Thank you Tiki! I take it you live or have lived in England....what do you recommend from London to Dover?
I haven't booked the hotel yet. I was looking at the Marriott Grosvenor or Le Meridian Picadilly. In terms of location are they both in good areas for walking? If all things being equal I was going to call and see if either have shuttle service from Gatwick.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

Thank you Tiki! I take it you live or have lived in England....what do you recommend from London to Dover?
I haven't booked the hotel yet. I was looking at the Marriott Grosvenor or Le Meridian Picadilly. In terms of location are they both in good areas for walking? If all things being equal I was going to call and see if either have shuttle service from Gatwick.

I haven't stayed at any of these hotels. I wasn't sure if you meant the Grosvenor House or the Grosvenor Hotel near Victoria Station so I will comment on all three. The Marriott Grosvenor House is right near Hyde Park, but I believe the closest Tube station (Hyde Park Corner) is around a half mile walk away but it's a super posh hotel. Le Meridian Picadilly is about 0.3 miles from Green Park underground station and is between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace (respectively anyway) and is closer to Big Ben and really close to Piccadilly Circus.
The Grosvenor Hotel near Victoria Station is obviously close to transportation, and it can be easy to transfer to different lines and parts of London (going to see Tower of London etc) The Grosvenor has a stunning lobby (if that is important to you) and is close to a lot of popular chain restaurants.

I think the choice depends on what you want to stay near, how close you want to be to a Tube station, your budget etc.

Hope that helps.

 

[jeanmonti]

Helps a lot, thank you!