Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 4/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am travelling from Florida to Gatwick and need to go collect something from Bishopgate (Liverpool St station) the same day, then go on to Heathrow to fly to cyprus. My timings are arrive 6am into Gatwick fly out of Heathrow at 4 30 pm. As I have luggage I am thinking about leaving it at Gatwick, going to Bishopgate then back to Gatwick to collect the luggage and then train to Heathrow. I am not sure of the timings and would like to know if you can tell me if this would be the best way to do it. Thank you
Dee

ANSWER: Hi - thank you for your question.

It is possible, but there's an easier way to do it.

I should say first that although you are arriving at 6am, overnight flights can arrive late, there are lots of flights arriving at this time and most of the passengers won't have EU passports, so you will need to allow perhaps 90 minutes before you can leave the airport.

Similarly, at Heathrow, you need to check in at least 2 hours before your flight - there is also no train service from Gatwick to Heathrow.

So, here's how to do it, easily - and cheaper!

At Gatwick, take your luggage with you on the direct, regular coach service to Heathrow.

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_gatwick_bus_transfer.htm
The cost is approx £20

Go to your connecting airline and ask if you can check in early, leaving your luggage - I did this only last week, arriving 9 hours before my flight out.

If they are unable to do this, leave your luggage at Heathrow -  details here, with instructions for each Terminal at Heathrow.

http://www.airwise.com/airports/europe/LHR/LHR_08.html

You then go the London Underground station, below each terminal.

Get a return ("round trip") ticket to Liverpool Street Station (much cheaper than 2 single tickets, and no time wasted on your way back). This will cost, at most, £8.

Take the Piccadilly line to Holborn (this line is coloured dark blue on the map) and then change to the eastbound Central line (red on the map) to Liverpool Street station. Total journey time will be approx 60 to 75 minutes.

Collect your package and return to Heathrow the same way - the train back stops at differing Heathrow Terminals, so do check which one you need, to save you changing again - the trains are about every 8 minutes.

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

Happy to help!

Alun Hill, MCIJ

http://www.IsLondonExpensive.com

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

QUESTION: Dear Alun,
Thank you so much for your valued assistance. I am very grateful. I am now thinking that perhaps I could have the parcel sent to me by courier to the airport but I am not sure that is possible? Otherwise, on my return, I am staying overnight in London to catch my flight back to Florida. There won't be enough time for me to go all the way to Liverpool Street Station and maybe the shop will send my package to the Hotel for me to receive it there?
I am grateful for all of your help. If you know of any way it can be delivered to the airport I would appreciate it, otherwise I have all the info I need from you to make my decision.

ANSWER: Hmmm, interesting!

A taxi or a motorcycle courier could, in theory, deliver to your hotel or to the airport - the airport would be more difficult because a) they'd have to find you, and b) security is, understandably, tight.

However, the real problem might be the supplying shop who would normally only hand your purchase to you after seeing your credit card or deliver to your address - the potential for fraud is too high, otherwise, as I trust you'll understand.

Speak to the shop, see what they are happy to do - and then do feel free to come back to me and I'll do all I can to help, happily!

Alun

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

QUESTION: Hi Alun, I am a bit confused as you gave me the details to get from Heathrow to Gatwick although I asked for the other way around, you started off ok but then reversed it so can we just go back. I am going from Gatwick to Heathrow, I have my coach booked now thankyou. But then from Heathrow, after depositing my luggage I want to go to Liverpool St station to collect the package and then back to Heathrow for my flight to Cyprus. Can you please tell me how to get to Liverpool street station from Heathrow and how long it will the journey take. Thankyou very much for your help
Dee

Answer
Hi - no, my suggestions, copied below, are correct (if it helps, there's no tube at Gatwick, as it's a long way from London!)

++++++++++++

You then go the London Underground station, below each terminal.

Get a return ("round trip") ticket to Liverpool Street Station (much cheaper than 2 single tickets, and no time wasted on your way back). This will cost, at most, £8.

Take the Piccadilly line to Holborn (this line is coloured dark blue on the map) and then change to the eastbound Central line (red on the map) to Liverpool Street station. Total journey time will be approx 60 to 75 minutes.

Collect your package and return to Heathrow the same way - the train back stops at differing Heathrow Terminals, so do check which one you need, to save you changing again - the trains are about every 8 minutes.

+++++++++++++

Come back if / where I can help further, please1

Alun