Expert: Michael - 7/13/2010

Question
Dear Michael,

on 30th July we will be arriving to London, Gatwick and head to Harwich Port, Cruise Terminal. We are traveling with a 3 year old and an 8 month old (both of them will be carried together, in a double stroller). We are 4 adults. All of us most likely with a case and a carry on... plus case for the kids. One of us will be pushing the stroller.. Can you picture us to manage with the train-metro-train option to Harwich from Gatwick? For me it sounds quiet difficult... what do you think? What do you advise?
And, on the train the kids have to be on our lap? The cases and stroller separately?
My first choice would be to hire a private small bus but the first I asked, is all booked for that day... I keep trying though.

Thanks in advance for your answers
Bettina

Answer
Hello Bettina,
Thank you for your question.
Although you do have a large amount of luggage, hopefully your journey will be manageable. At Gatwick Airport, you can request assistance from the station porter service by asking at the information desk at the entrance to the airport station. They will help you to the platform with your items, and hopefully onto the train. I would advice using the Gatwick Express train to London Victoria, rather than travelling to London Bridge, as this is the service with the greatest luggage space, as it is designed for airport travellers.
The most complex part of the journey is likely to be the travel on the underground (metro). You may prefer to hail a couple of taxis from Victoria to Liverpool Street station as this will be easier than trying to navigate the underground rail service with so much luggage. Similarly, you should be able to call for assistance from a porter at each of the major rail stations. Then, once you are on the train to Harwich, again some station assistance should be available presuming you are arriving during normal working hours.
You can always telephone/email the train companies in advance to ask for their advice if you wish. The services are:
Gatwick - London: Gatwick Express www.gatwickexpress.co.uk
London - Harwich: National Express East Anglia www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com

I hope that is useful.

Michael