Gatwick Airport - Euston

[Magnus85]

Me and my mate are traveling into Gatwick next thursday (25th of september), our plane is scheduled to land at 7.30 pm. Our train from Euston station leaves at 9.07 pm. Is is even possible to make this in time? And how?

Fyi, we dont have any luggage, so waiting for our bags at Gatwick will not be an issue.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[ExRes]

Me and my mate are traveling into Gatwick next thursday (25th of september), our plane is scheduled to land at 7.30 pm. Our train from Euston station leaves at 9.07 pm. Is is even possible to make this in time? And how?

Fyi, we dont have any luggage, so waiting for our bags at Gatwick will not be an issue.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Highly unlikely I would have thought, if the plane touches down at 1930 you've got to get off the plane, through passport control, if any such thing still exists, make your way to the station, half hour minimum to Victoria, transfer to Euston and be on a departure, all in 97 minutes, that's going to be some going

 

[causton]

If you get to Gatwick Airport station at 2000, you can get the 2002 service to Bedford, which arrives at St Pancras at 2048. Then a 5 minute run should get you there in time. Very dodgy though!

 

[Magnus85]

If you get to Gatwick Airport station at 2000, you can get the 2002 service to Bedford, which arrives at St Pancras at 2048. Then a 5 minute run should get you there in time. Very dodgy though!

Thanks for the response.

Is taxi an alternative?

 

[AmeralGunson]

If the aircraft spits you out at the south terminal you're in with a chance. You might just get the 20.05 express to Victoria arriving at a scheduled 20.35. Eight minutes to get to the tube station, buy a ticket and board the north bound Victoria line. The time is now 20.43-20.45. It's an eight minute ride platform to platform. The time is now 20.51-20.53. A four minute gallop up the two escalators and then the final one from the tube area to Euston concourse. The time is now 20.55 - 20.57.
It's possible, perfectly possible.

 

[tsr]

Is taxi an alternative?

Put simply, I would think it extremely unlikely to be a good idea in these circumstances. Other than by using a private helicopter, it would be pretty hard to beat a train taking 30mins from Gatwick to central London.

 

[aylesbury2]

Thanks for the response.



Is taxi an alternative?

In an ideal world, it would be faster than the train as there are obviously no connections but in terms of logic, owing to London traffic and the huge expense of taxis I wouldn't bother unless you're willing to pay. But then the Gatwick Express isn't exactly cheap if that's how you plan to do it.



Risky strategy; do you have a backup train from Euston in case of a delay?

 

[Abpj17]

Taxi cross London is generally an awful idea; it'd take longer. Best bet is the Bedford train advised because it'll get you within walking distance of St Pancras or the advised Gatwick express (but that relying on navigating the underground and Victoria a bit more).

 

[gazthomas]

If your plane arrives into South terminal on time you're in with a fighting chance. IF!

 

[Magnus85]

In an ideal world, it would be faster than the train as there are obviously no connections but in terms of logic, owing to London traffic and the huge expense of taxis I wouldn't bother unless you're willing to pay. But then the Gatwick Express isn't exactly cheap if that's how you plan to do it.



Risky strategy; do you have a backup train from Euston in case of a delay?

The 9.07 train is the last train to Liverpool. Our backup train is the 9.40 to Manchester, so not much time to spare... If we dont make it I guess we'll have to get a hotel in London, and travel up to Liverpool the next day.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If your plane arrives into South terminal on time you're in with a fighting chance. IF!

It does, luckily

 

[Lee_Again]

This advice is probably more important that the route : buy your ticket in advance.

I have, on a number of times, and at various times of the day, had to wait in excess of 20 minutes to buy a ticket. It's mostly machines and many users are from overseas which just adds to the time it takes.

Yes, you can buy on board (GatEx) but I wouldn't rely on that.

For the record, don't go via St. Pancras. The walk is nearer 10 minutes than 5. Victoria to Euston via the Victoria Line is a very simple route even for novices. Less than 55 minutes is possible from Gatwick. 19.50 will be ok. The 20.05 will be tight. Also, don't other with a taxi. It will be quicker by tube.

What ever you decide, good luck.

 

[coley65]

When we went from gatwick in may the ques for passport control were massive it took 2 hours from landing.

We went to st pancras and found it really easy and a hell of a lot cheaper than going via Victoria. I would suggest staying over at the hampton really cheap we paid £59 inc breakfast through holiday extras.

 

[Bald Rick]

I did something very similar. Landed at North terminal about 1930. No bags. Through immigration in 90secs with chip passport. Shuttle to South. On a train northwards within 20 minutes of the plane opening the cabin doors.

It's perfectly feasible, but does rely on your plane being punctual, and immigration being helpful.

My tip - get a ticket to Euston in advance that includes the tube, and when you get to Gatwick station board whichever train is the next fast departure to London, whether it goes to Vic or London Bridge / Thameslink. Ie you don't want to be on anything that calls at more than Redhill, Croydon and Clapham. If you end up on one to London Bridge, change there for the Northern line to Euston as it is a few minutes quicker than the Thameslink trip across town (which is 17 min train + 10-12 min very brisk walk).

 

[Magnus85]

I did something very similar. Landed at North terminal about 1930. No bags. Through immigration in 90secs with chip passport. Shuttle to South. On a train northwards within 20 minutes of the plane opening the cabin doors.

It's perfectly feasible, but does rely on your plane being punctual, and immigration being helpful.

My tip - get a ticket to Euston in advance that includes the tube, and when you get to Gatwick station board whichever train is the next fast departure to London, whether it goes to Vic or London Bridge / Thameslink. Ie you don't want to be on anything that calls at more than Redhill, Croydon and Clapham. If you end up on one to London Bridge, change there for the Northern line to Euston as it is a few minutes quicker than the Thameslink trip across town (which is 17 min train + 10-12 min very brisk walk).

Thank you for your reply. Good to know that it can be done!

What ticket do we need to buy that enables us to board any train (including Gatwick Express, if possible) from Gatwick to Euston?

 

[Hadders]

There's several things to consider:

Where you sit on the aircraft relative to the doors could save you several minutes.

Passport control at Gatwick is a lottery - I've got through in seconds before but also had waits of over half an hour.

The advice about buying rail tickets in advance is sound advice for any train journey from Gatwick!

It's also worth looking up the optimum carriage to travel in on the train and underground to allow a fast exit without having to walk the length of the platform. This can save vital minutes on a tight connection.

 

[Requeststop]

Don't know where you are flying from but would there be a direct flight from there to Manchester? Train to Liverpool from the Airport station?

 

[Magnus85]

Don't know where you are flying from but would there be a direct flight from there to Manchester? Train to Liverpool from the Airport station?

No such thing I'm afraid. The plane tickets are booked months ago, so this is not an option. Would have been the perfect set up though

Anyone that can advice us on what tickets to buy?

 

[Hadders]

To assist in helping us with your fare could you tell us how you are getting from Liverpool to Gatwick for the outward flight.

Have you purchased tickets for the Euston-Liverpool leg of your journey?

Are you eligible for any railcards?

 

[tony6499]

Impossible without any delays, I can't see any way of doing that in the time scale even if the plane landed on the gate bang on 730 at the South Terminal. Getting onto the platform could take over an hour, last time I landed it took 45mins to get to the carousel
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
From the exit at passport control to the platform at Gatwick = 5mins
Victoria platform front coach to the underground platform = 10mins
Euston underground to the relevant rail platform = 10mins

That would be the times I'd allow, then you're banking on a tube arriving at the very moment that you get to the platform as well as the train at Gatwick fitting the journey times too, I'd say the plan is just too tight

 

[Bald Rick]

From the exit at passport control to the platform at Gatwick = 5mins
Victoria platform front coach to the underground platform = 10mins
Euston underground to the relevant rail platform = 10mins

Very pessimistic. I've arrived Victoria at 2100 and made the 2115 from Euston. This was 15 years ago when I was somewhat fitter mind.

 

[Magnus85]

To assist in helping us with your fare could you tell us how you are getting from Liverpool to Gatwick for the outward flight.

Have you purchased tickets for the Euston-Liverpool leg of your journey?

Are you eligible for any railcards?

We have purchased the tickets for the Euston-Liverpool/Liverpool-Euston.

Not eligble for any railcards.

 

[Kite159]

We have purchased the tickets for the Euston-Liverpool/Liverpool-Euston.

Not eligble for any railcards.

Two Together Railcard?

Probably would have paid for itself with the trip.

 

[tsr]

Yes, you can buy on board (GatEx) but I wouldn't rely on that.

No, you can't!

If for whatever reason the queues are massive and it is not possible to buy in advance, follow the station signs to the lifts for Platforms 3-6 (also marked as the lifts to Platforms 3 & 4). There is a ticket machine at the secondary overbridge entrance to the station which takes cash and cards, which is usually reliable and without any significant queue. All Northbound trains are accessible from this entrance, too. A screen is around the left-hand corner after entering via the barriers.

 

[Max]

All sound advice given here. It's definitely possible from the South terminal if you get through passport control quickly. I managed Gatwick to Walthamstow in just over an hour before via London Bridge and Liverpool Street! Do you have e-passports? You can often breeze through with these.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Very pessimistic. I've arrived Victoria at 2100 and made the 2115 from Euston. This was 15 years ago when I was somewhat fitter mind.

Indeed, I've done n/b Victoria line platform -> mainline platform at Euston in just over two mins before, so it is indeed possible.

OP - there is a 2200 Euston-Crewe if it's of any use, alas it sounds like you already have Advance tickets?

 

[Magnus85]

Indeed, I've done n/b Victoria line platform -> mainline platform at Euston in just over two mins before, so it is indeed possible.

OP - there is a 2200 Euston-Crewe if it's of any use, alas it sounds like you already have Advance tickets?

Quite the difference in opinion concerning our chances of making this But in any case it is going to be very tight. I think we will go for the Gatwick Express to Victoria and then Victoria line to Euston.

Can someone carefully explain the route from the train station at Victoria to the tube station, and then the route from the tube station at Euston to the mainline staion? We will be running, so mapping out our route is essential

And yes, we have Advance tickets.

 

[aylesbury2]

Quite the difference in opinion concerning our chances of making this But in any case it is going to be very tight. I think we will go for the Gatwick Express to Victoria and then Victoria line to Euston.

Can someone carefully explain the route from the train station at Victoria to the tube station, and then the route from the tube station at Euston to the mainline staion? We will be running, so mapping out our route is essential

And yes, we have Advance tickets.

There are no lifts from Underground -> Main line at Victoria, just a flight of medium-length stairs. From memory, the Gatwick Express platforms are at the opposite side of Victoria to the Underground, so you turn right out of the platforms and then follow the station all the way to the exit in the right hand side corner of the concourse and the Underground platforms are just down the stairs to the right of that exit. Not too difficult compared to some mainline stations!

 

[DarloRich]

I have done Kings Cross - Euston in under 7 minutes towing a case. Whilst one doesn’t run for public transport one will trot rather briskly!

That said passport control ( I assume an "international" flight) will be the deciding factor

 

[Magnus85]

The passport control will be crucial, if the plane lands on time.

Has anyone experience with the fast track passport control? Does is exist? Some information about this on the gatwick airport website, but it doesnt explain how to buy it, or how it works in general.

 

[starrymarkb]

The Passport Gates are probably your best bet if they are working (I have landed in the evening before at another airport and found they had just closed as the staff were going home).

Sit near the front of the aircraft if possible (if you are not in Business then sit at the front of economy.

You'll have to hope you get a pier near passport control (and not a remote bus stand) and also hope that your flight isn't last in the wave - I've had a 45 minute wait at Passport control when our flight was the last of a bunch to unload