Expert: Michael - 5/11/2004

Question
Hi,
I am flying into Heathrow Airport and would like to know the best way to get to the Gatwick Airport Area/Eastbourne.
Thanks

Answer
Hello Kimberley

Thank your for your question.

There are two possible answers to you question, or rather, two options for you to consider. The main difference between them is going to be the matter to time over cost.

FASTEST ROUTE
The quickest route for you to get back to Eastbourne will be to take the Speedlink coach from Heathrow Airport to Gatwick Airport (which takes just over an hour) and then transfer onto the train for the remainder of your journey to Eastbourne. This will howeever be quite expensive, probably costing around £30 per person (£18 coach; £12 train)

CHEAPER ROUTE
If budget is more important, then it would probably be more economical to use the tube/train route: that is to say, use the Underground network to take you into London Victoria mainline station and then take a direct train from there to Eastbourne. This would probably take slightly longer, but would be cheaper, costing around £20-25 single.

Of course, the option of return journeys may make the prices more favourable in one case or the other. Also these decision may be affected by factors such as your time of arriaval. Perhaps the best advice I can offer is to recommend the relevant Journey Planning websites, as follows:

Plan the schedule for your entire journey at the SouthEast Travel Planner:
http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/

Once you have done this, confirm times, and check fares using the following resources:

Train times/fares:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney/

Underground fares, etc.:
http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/

Coach details:
http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk/

I hope that these resources are useful to you.

Best Wishes

Michael