Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 7/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Alun  I will be arriving on jul 12 at 7 am we are looking for transportation to Dover ( the cheaper the better) there are 5 of us 2 adults and 3 youth  I read about the train is it easy to do and how much should we expect to pay (also can I pay with a credit card)  Please suggest the best options for us  thanks so much

ANSWER: Hi - thanks for your question - very happy to help!

The train is easy, but there is no direct train - you'll have to change -but it's easy enough to do.

There are 2 different routes, depending on the time you actually land and clear Customs etc, so the best thing is to go to the railway station which is actually in Gatwick Airport and ask the ticket office for the best next way - on a Saturday, the trains are at 08 and 53 minutes past the hour.

If you'd like to see a little of London, I would recommend you wait for the 8 minutes past the hour, as this way you'll cross the Thames into London's (sit on the right!) Victoria station, changing there for your train to Dover Priory (the proper name for Dover station - sit on the left coming back out of Victoria - great views right through London as far as St Pauls Cathedral!)

However the 53 minutes past the hour is cheaper - see below. This goes a more direct, but slower route. If you go this way, ask the ticket clerk to write / print out the change of trains details - it's usually only one, easy, change at a small market town called Tonbridge (not Tunbridge - looks and sounds similar!)

If you're not coming back, you ask for single tickets (all credit cards are fine), but if you are returning, do get return (round trip) tickets as they're only pennies more.

The single fare on the 53 minutes past the hour is £23.10, with those UNDER 16 travelling for half of that. Via London, the fare is higher at £36.50, again with youths paying half.

The staff on the trains will be very happy to help you if you're unsure - and almost all trains have displays showing the stops and these are always announced in advance of each station - usually by an automated system.

I assume that you're taking a cruise ship from Dover - there are taxis which meet every train at Dover Priory.

I did consider a taxi from Gatwick, but that would cost at least twice as much as the train, even for 5 of you.

If you'd like to save even more, but for a slightly less comfortable ride, there are coaches at least every hour, into London, and changing to another coach there - the total for all of you would be just under £70 one way - but the total journey time, including a wait in London is almost 5 hours. If you'd like more information on this, do say, please - but you can also get the tickets when you arrive at Gatwick and get on the next coach.

Does this help please?

It is most important to me that if you require any further information, or if anything is in any way unclear, that you let me know, please!

Alun Hill MCIJ
Editor: http://www.IsLondonExpensive.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alun  thanks so much  we will be lugging our big obnoxious suitcases  is there a certain space for luggage  also the fair you quoted was just for a one way and not a round trip correct  however a round trip is just a little more  your info is most helpful and has taken away some of my concerns thanks again

Answer
Yes, I should have said!

The airport station at Gatwick is very luggage friendly, with lifts and escalators.

At Tonbridge, you will either take a train on the same or the adjacent platform - no crossing over bridges or subways.

On arriving at Dover Priory, the platform is usually the one right by the exit, so again, an easy journey out to the waiting taxis.

There's plenty of room for luggage on the trains, especially on a Saturday - though it's as well you're not arriving during the week at this time as you'd be hitting the London "rush hour"! There are spaces at the end of the carriages, overhead and often behind the seats. Although the staff cannot carry your luggage, they'll be very helpful at all times.

And, yes, the fares I quoted are the "single" fare (as we call it - one way!).

It's much easier than it sounds - remember that other people will almost certainly be making the exact same journey at the same time.

Just a thought. When you get to Gatwick, visit an ATM and get some English money, so that you can get a coffee / pay the taxi at Dover - allow about £10 for the taxi.

Do let me know if I can help further, please!

Alun