Too tight for time eg Mission Impossible!?

[Jenn2011]

I have a meeting near Euston on the 15th April at 3pm. I have to be back at Gatwick no later ( and preferably before ) than 6-30 pm.
Could anyone tell me what time I need to leave and what is the best / quickest way to get back to the airport please.

Many thanks for any help given.

Jenn

 

[yorkie]

The quickest way is Victoria Line to Victoria, where there are frequent trains, including Southern's non-stop trains on their Gatwick Express route, which are ~2 minutes quicker than the trains that call at Clapham Jn & East Croydon.

So, if you can be theoretically pulling into the platform at 1830, then the 1757 from Victoria is the latest you can get. To be at the airport by 1830, you need the 1744 or 1746 trains. In practice, trains on this line at peak times seem to be always at least a couple of minutes late.

The actual running time (no delays) on the Victoria Line is 7 mins, you can double that to get to/from the platforms though, and you may need to wait a couple of mins for a train and your train may pause to 'regulate the service'.

 

[Techniquest]

Depending where near Euston the meeting is, if it's say on the eastern side of it then it may be easier to walk to St Pancras (Low Level) and board a Thameslink service from there.

Victoria to Gatwick's an easy run, but do check the train calls at Gatwick as not all trains do (express Brighton trains are non-stop between Croydon and Brighton), but the majority do.

Of course, wherever it is being held then find the nearest Tube station and plan from there.

 

[EM2]

There is also the option of the 17:28 from St Pancras, arriving at Gatwick Airport station at 18:23. St Pancras can be done in less than ten minutes on foot from Euston.

 

[yorkie]

I think we'd need to be sure where "near Euston" is first. If it's nearer Warren St, then Victoria Line is definitely best.

 

[Searle]

If I were the OP then I'd always go for the Victoria, it's much more frequent (and arguably reliable) than waiting for a Thameslink train and just crawling through the centre

 

[Jenn2011]

Thank you so much to everyone who posted a reply. The information will allow me to work out how much of the meeting I need to miss!

 

[Abpj17]

Victoria in rush hour is horribly busy - the time to get out of the tube isn't necessarily trivial. Going via St P is a credible option (although higher risk of journey delays) as getting on the train/a seat will be easier.