Penzance to Gatwick Airport - advice welcome

[Busaholic]

My wife will be making the above, relatively straightforward train journey within the next two or three weeks, returning within a few days, changing at Reading.

I was wondering whether there is any financial advantage in obtaining split tickets for the journey and, if so, where the split should occur.

The second part of my query has nothing to do with fares. My wife has lymphedema which means stretching to put luggage into an overhead rack is impossible, and carrying anything heavy in her right hand is inadvisable, to say the least. As the last time I used Reading Station(s) was when redevelopment was hardly even a twinkle in the planners' eyes, I am wondering which platform/s are now used for London-bound HSTs and the Gatwick service respectively, and how access is obtained between the two i.e. are there any lifts? Climbing stairs is not a problem in itself, but with bag(s) it can be. Also, advice on the platforms for the return journey would be appreciated.

On the Gatwick trains, is there any luggage space other than overhead racks?
Final question - as my wife is not going into the airport, but being met by a friend in a car, what pick-up/short stay arrangements, if any, are there at Gatwick Airport Station? Any info much appreciated - thanks in advance.

 

[LexyBoy]

Usually she would arrive on platforms 10/11, and the Gatwick trains leave platforms 4-6 - this would entail a trip across the bridge and along platform 7 (neé 4, adjoining the ticket hall and pub). Occasionally trains from Devon & Cornwall will arrive on P7. On the return, she'll likely arrive P4-6 and depart from P7 so just a short distance. Here's a station map.

All platforms have lifts.

The Gatwick trains have some luggage space, but nowhere near enough so most people leave their suitcases around their seat or by the door.

Not aware of any worthwhile splits I'm afraid, though it might be worth looking at splitting at Reading if she can use Advance fares.

 

[Quakkerillo]

Looking at realtraintimes, most trains to/from Gatwick depart from platform 5. Trains from Penzance arrive at platform 11, to Penzance from platform 7.

If you look on the map http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/html/NRE_RDG/plan.html?rtnloc=RDG
Platform 5 (right bottom) to platform 7 is same-level, without having to cross any tracks.
Platform 11 to 5 will need elevators (2 per set of platforms) or escalators (2 going up from 11, 2 going down to 5)

If I remember correctly, the trains that are used on this service are mostly commuter-layout, with only overhead racks. However, with a penzance-Gatwick route, she'll probably travel around midday, so the train should be relatively empty enough to keep the luggage with her at the seat.

For the layout to pick-up at Gatwick, I'll have to pass.
For the tickets, I've seen this website suggested a few times to get (ideas for) split tickets. https://raileasy.trainsplit.com/main.aspx Although I must mention with just checking a few options, it didn't find any cheaper options, but just give it a look for your dates/time.

 

[dzug2]

Reading station actively discourages use of the escalators with luggage directing such passengers to the lifts

At Gatwick if memory serves correctly there's the choice of lifts, escalator or stairs

 

[ajb690]

Gatwick actively discourages pick-ups, and has a bunch of security staff who vigorously enforce this - the only "official" option is to park in the short stay car park @ £3 per hour. If that's the choice taken, then I'd suggest your wife meets her friend in the South Terminal Arrivals area - there are some seats there where they can wait next to the rail station / North Terminal Shuttle entrance.

The alternative, as used by many taxis, is for your friend to park up for free in the McDonalds by the roundabout before the exit from Gatwick. Your wife can then call them and meet them at the drop-off area 5 minutes later; she'll need to exit the airport (following signs for the short-stay car park), and then take the lift down to the lowest level once in the car park itself.

Hope this helps,

Drew

 

[TEW]

The 166s usually used on Gatwick Airport services have luggage racks dotted around the train.

 

[cookie365]

Didcot is a good split for Paddington to Bristol so it might work for Penzance too.

 

[MikeWh]

Didcot is a good split for Paddington to Bristol so it might work for Penzance too.

Except that Penzance trains don't go through, let alone stop at, Didcot.

 

[Busaholic]

Thank you all for the advice so far. I don't think she'll be too concerned about splitting the tickets, she probably wouldn't be convinced that it was legal, and, even if it she thought it was, she probably wouldn't consider it right and proper. She's a great worrier, so saving a few quid just would not be worth it, not that we're rich!

 

[30907]

The information about station car parking at GTW on the national rail and southern websites is contradictory. I'm sure some forum member has local knowledge, but I wonder if Redhill would be an easier alternative - or Three Bridges, though that means an extra change.

 

[Stats]

There is no station car parking at Gatwick - you need to use the Airport's South Terminal parking. The only way in or out of the station is via the South terminal or the transit link for the North terminal.

During the day (up to 4pm) Reading trains come in to Platform 2. There are 2 ways to exit from Platform 2 both with escalators. Using the escalator on turning left off the train takes you to the main exit, the escalator on turning right take you to the main concourse. Your wife and her friend will need to agree where to meet as the main exit and concourse are in slightly different places. If using the main exit then your wife's friend will need to wait in the terminal as I think the automatic doors are not set to allow people to enter.

 

[bnm]

Except that Penzance trains don't go through, let alone stop at, Didcot.

Weekday 1739 does. Saturday 1740 also.

Other direction. Saturday 0759 from Reading calls Didcot. Sunday 0834 from Reading calls.

 

[cookie365]

Weekday 1739 does. Saturday 1740 also.

Other direction. Saturday 0759 from Reading calls Didcot. Sunday 0834 from Reading calls.

I'm going to pretend that those were exactly what I had in mind.

 

[talldave]

There's 2 hours free "pick up" parking in Gatwick's long term south car park in Zone A. The person picking up hops on the free bus to the south terminal. After meeting up, get the free bus back to the long term car park and get off in Zone A bus stop 2. There are lifts from Gatwick platforms to the terminal level and the bus is on that same level. The only issue may be lifting luggage on and off the bus, but the drivers are friendly and I'm sure would assist.

 

[Busaholic]

Thanks once again to everyone who's profferred advice - knowing that patience is not the most defining virtue of my wife's friend, I'm going to suggest giving Gatwick a miss. An extra change on to a Three Bridges train might well be preferable- I'm assuming pick-up from there is a little less of a hassle, unless you know different!

 

[pepperpot80]

Pick up there is less of a hassle, with space outside the station available just off Haslett Avenue for pick ups.

As Stats mentioned, the Reading - Gatwick service arrives at Gatwick on Platform 2. Trains to Three Bridges leave from Platforms 3 or 7, and I'd recommend heading to Platform 3, since access to Platform 7 is only via the main concourse (not the main exit). Using Platform 3 means less walking both at Gatwick and Three Bridges, and trains depart both platforms with similar frequency (4 trains per hour) with little difference in timing, so your wife would only spend a couple of extra minutes waiting.

 

[Busaholic]

Pick up there is less of a hassle, with space outside the station available just off Haslett Avenue for pick ups.

As Stats mentioned, the Reading - Gatwick service arrives at Gatwick on Platform 2. Trains to Three Bridges leave from Platforms 3 or 7, and I'd recommend heading to Platform 3, since access to Platform 7 is only via the main concourse (not the main exit). Using Platform 3 means less walking both at Gatwick and Three Bridges, and trains depart both platforms with similar frequency (4 trains per hour) with little difference in timing, so your wife would only spend a couple of extra minutes waiting.

I think that all sounds best and I shall recommend it to my wife.

Sincere thanks to you all, and from my wife too.

 

[richw]

When I've travelled Truro to gatwick its always been cheaper to split at redhill. Unsure if this is still the case though. It may also be easier for her to be picked up at redhill than gatwick, so she didn't have to worry about the second part of the split.

Three bridges is also easy to pick up, when I drove up to gatwick last time we stayed in a hotel(possibly holiday inn express) right near three bridges station, easy access to the motorway 5 mins or so from gatwick.