Gatwick Airport - Euston

[jon0844]

Nobody wants any stress when arriving back by plane, as Sod's law says something will go wrong.

If there's a Manchester train at 2140, that sounds like a much better option assuming there's some way to get to Liverpool from when you arrive there? Then you can relax.

Otherwise there's the hotel option, but there's no reason to necessarily stay in a hotel near the airport (which will likely cost a fortune). You could look at the Premier Inn website, or Travelodge etc, and find a cheap hotel then simply make for that when you arrive - ideally something that will then enable you a nice relaxed journey to Euston in the morning. Or even look for a Premier Inn or similar in Manchester and continue your journey to Liverpool in the morning?

If there's no onward train after you arrive in Manchester, could you not continue your trip the next day for no extra money (before midday)?

 

[Hadders]

Gatwick Airport-South Hampstead Anytime Day Single is £18.70 and is valid on any train from Gatwick to London and also covers the onward Underground journey to Euston. I'd buy this ticket before you leave the UK to save any faff at the station on the way back.

Gatwick fares are a mess but the advantage of this ticket is it's available on any train between the airport and London, regardless of the operator.

Other forum members may have a cheaper alternative.

 

[tony6499]

It will be interesting to see the outcome on Thursday, I still say a very long shot you can do it but I shall be hoping you do.

Make sure you're on your toes on the plane ready for the belts off light so you can be by the exit door and beat the rush, have your tickets handy for the barriers when you get onto the station and IIRC if you get the Victoria Line to Euston you need to be in a rearish coach to be near the escalators at Euston then a deep breath and good luck.

 

[tsr]

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!

Straight ahead out of the Platform 13/14 barriers (assuming you're on a Gatwick Express-branded train terminating there, otherwise also straight ahead but maybe walking a little further from other platforms), go past WH Smith (keeping it on your right) and then past Cafe Ritazza (keeping that on your left). Through the corridor past the Vodafone shop, down the stairs dead ahead (lift your bag once you get past the red emergency box on the wall), bear slightly right and use the barrier on your left hand side by the control booth at Victoria Tube. Then down the escalator, swing left (third left is usually the emptiest corridor, if no train has arrived which you need to run for!) and position yourself where the fewest big families and bags are.

Ah, the joys of my old commute...

EDIT: If the OP would like to stay in a nearby hotel, there is a Premier Inn just down the road from Salfords Station (a couple of stops North from Gatwick Airport on the route to London Bridge/London Victoria via Redhill) which has good reviews. I have only ever been in the Beefeater Restaurant there, but I know friends who have stayed there and I've heard no complaints. Salfords Station has a fairly spartan off-peak service, but peak-time commuter services are somewhat better. Access to the Northbound platform is pretty much level. Staff at Gatwick Airport station will be able to find an appropriate train when you arrive. I'm not sure how good a pricing deal you'll get at this sort of notice, mind.

 

[Bald Rick]

I think we will go for the Gatwick Express to Victoria and then Victoria line to Euston.

If you just miss a Gatwick Express, don't wait for the next one. There will always be at least one fast Southern service to Victoria that arrives there before the next Gat Ex.

 

[Hadders]

Looking at Gatwick departures around 20:00

Gatwick Express services depart at 2005 and 2020 taking 30 minutes.
There is a also Southern service at 2011 arriving at 2050

The 2020 is the latest train you can get with a hope of getting the 2107 off Euston. This arrives Victoria at 2050, the underground takes 7 minutes between Victoria and Euston and depart every 1-2 minutes. You've potentially got 8 minutes to get from train to the tube at Victoria and back up to the platform at Euston. This relies on everything being bang on time, and you knowing exactly where you are going.

Aim to be at the very front of the train as it arrives at Victoria. For a fast exit from the underground at Euston aim to be at door 3 in the 6th carriage. Doors will open on the right hand side in the direction of travel.

Please do let us know how you get on - it's always very satisfying to make a tight connection!

 

[Magnus85]

Cheers everyone, you have been more than helpful! Still hoping we can make this in time, and will let you know how it went

One last question, still confused about the tickets. Can someone give me a link to an online store with the correct tickets for boarding any train from Gatwick to Euston?

 

[Hadders]

Any rail booking site will sell the ticket you want. Personally I'd use eastcoast.co.uk, tpexpress.co.uk or southernrailway.com.

Do not use the trainline as despite their claims they aren't cheaper and they charge booking fees on top.

 

[Magnus85]

Any rail booking site will sell the ticket you want. Personally I'd use eastcoast.co.uk, tpexpress.co.uk or southernrailway.com.

Do not use the trainline as despite their claims they aren't cheaper and they charge booking fees on top.

Thanks. Can the "anytime day single" be used on all services from Gatwick? It says "Valid on all services by the route and Train Operator shown. Valid 1 day only."
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Nobody wants any stress when arriving back by plane, as Sod's law says something will go wrong.

If there's a Manchester train at 2140, that sounds like a much better option assuming there's some way to get to Liverpool from when you arrive there? Then you can relax.

If there's no onward train after you arrive in Manchester, could you not continue your trip the next day for no extra money (before midday)?

There's a bus from Manchester to Liverpool at 00.30, so yes, there is a way to get to Liverpool

 

[Hadders]

Thanks. Can the "anytime day single" be used on all services from Gatwick? It says "Valid on all services by the route and Train Operator shown. Valid 1 day only.

If you've gone for the South Hampstead ticket then it's valid on any operator between Gatwick and London. Obviously you're not going to South Hampstead (which is one station north of Euston) but 'finishing short' at Euston which you are perfectly entitled to do.

 

[jon0844]

There's a bus from Manchester to Liverpool at 00.30, so yes, there is a way to get to Liverpool

Don't think that counts, so you'd presumably be able to break your journey and finish the travel the next morning.

 

[Magnus85]

If you've gone for the South Hampstead ticket then it's valid on any operator between Gatwick and London. Obviously you're not going to South Hampstead (which is one station north of Euston) but 'finishing short' at Euston which you are perfectly entitled to do.

Including Gatwick express?

 

[bb21]

Yes, as there is no operator restriction on that ticket.

 

[LeylandLen]

Do know where he is arriving from? The 1930 arr from Dubai at Gatwick is expected at 2001 ; the 1930 from Basel was due in 1915 ish.Mialn arrival on time. No indication on Network Rail status page of any delays to services. Hope for the best then .

 

[Magnus85]

Sorry for the delayed report people, but here it is

Our flight touched down at Gatwick South 19.20, 10 minutes before schedule due to strong tailwinds. No people at all at immigration, jumped on the Gatwick Express at 19.40, arrived at Euston 20.20. Everything went as planned, and even better due to the early arrival

Cheers guys for all help, very much appreciated!

 

[aylesbury2]

Sorry for the delayed report people, but here it is

Our flight touched down at Gatwick South 19.20, 10 minutes before schedule due to strong tailwinds. No people at all at immigration, jumped on the Gatwick Express at 19.40, arrived at Euston 20.20. Everything went as planned, and even better due to the early arrival

Cheers guys for all help, very much appreciated!

Very well done, sounds like everything went swimmingly! Your luck certainly seems to be better than mine when it comes to tight connections. Glad you made it OK and have a good time!

 

[tony6499]

Sorry for the delayed report people, but here it is

Our flight touched down at Gatwick South 19.20, 10 minutes before schedule due to strong tailwinds. No people at all at immigration, jumped on the Gatwick Express at 19.40, arrived at Euston 20.20. Everything went as planned, and even better due to the early arrival

Cheers guys for all help, very much appreciated!

Great stuff, glad it all worked out

 

[ExRes]

I'll echo that, I really didn't think you stood a chance but glad to be proved wrong

They must have sorted out the process of disembarking since I last flew, it was worse than getting through the tills in Tesco last time ..........