London Airports?

[Vagina Journey 0]

I'm looking to fly into London and surprise Steve on the day of his interview- Just looking for info on what"s the closets airport to the embassy and approx how far is it from the embassy.

Anything else that might be helpful is also appreciated~ Thanks, Kelle

Edited November 21, 2006 by Vagina Journey

[Mags 112]

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SI...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

Edited November 21, 2006 by mags

[rebeccajo 14]

Mags has given you great info.

I went to London with Wes for his interview. I'd recommend you fly in the day before. We flew into Gatwick and took the Express into Victoria. From there we took a black taxi to our hotel. Got up refreshed the next morning and took another cab to the embassy.

I know it'd be more expensive to stay an extra night, BUT it's much less stressful. If you plan it out, the worst it would probably hurt you is $150 to $200, cab fares and all. I've got the names of a couple of hotels if you're game to this idea.

Edited November 21, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Vagina Journey 0]

Nothing can be simple...

I can see myself lost in London already...

I might have to rethink this and just surprise him in merseyside and call in some help from his mum and pops to help with the surprise and just drive to London with him.

[spiritee 0]

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SI...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

Edited November 21, 2006 by spiritee

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SI...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

By using Gatick Express the time is about the same to get from either to downtown. And I agree...I MUCH prefer Gatwick over Heathrow. Personal opinion though...

Joel

Edited November 21, 2006 by Joel Halfwassen

[rebeccajo 14]

Nothing can be simple...

I can see myself lost in London already...

I might have to rethink this and just surprise him in merseyside and call in some help from his mum and pops to help with the surprise and just drive to London with him.

Oh, I don't know....

I think it'd be WAY worth it all to walk up behind him in the line at the Embassy and poke him on the shoulder and ask him if he needs a lift after he's finished....

London's really clearly marked. I don't think you'd get lost. Wes had only ever been there once, it was ages ago, he didn't remember squat and so it was the blind leading the blind. We made it just fine. I also have to say that I didn't feel unsafe in London. I think if you were to your hotel by 8 or 9 pm you'd be sitting pretty.

I just asked questions whenever we had any. As an American tourist, you'd find most folks to be very helpful. When we came out of Victoria (at about 8 pm) there were police officers standing there and we asked them the best way to get to the Paddington area. One of them pointed to about 8 black taxis lined up waiting for any passenger. I don't care what anybody says, taking a taxi in London is worth every dime. Those are the best drivers in the world and very helpful to boot. We only paid 7 quid for that journey and 9 the next morning from Paddington to the Embassy.

Edited November 21, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Mags 112]

Heathrow is in Middlesex. Gatwick is on the Surrey/West Sussex border. To central London it takes approximately the same amount of time from both. Plus Heathrow is in a FAR more congested area. Busy busy busy.

Take my word for it....I AM a local.

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SI...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

Edited November 21, 2006 by mags

[Vagina Journey 0]

Nothing can be simple...

I can see myself lost in London already...

I might have to rethink this and just surprise him in merseyside and call in some help from his mum and pops to help with the surprise and just drive to London with him.

Oh, I don't know....

I think it'd be WAY worth it all to walk up behind him in the line at the Embassy and poke him on the shoulder and ask him if he needs a lift after he's finished....

London's really clearly marked. I don't think you'd get lost. Wes had only ever been there once, it was ages ago, he didn't remember squat and so it was the blind leading the blind. We made it just fine. I also have to say that I didn't feel unsafe in London. I think if you were to your hotel by 8 or 9 pm you'd be sitting pretty.

I just asked questions whenever we had any. As an American tourist, you'd find most folks to be very helpful. When we came out of Victoria (at about 8 pm) there were police officers standing there and we asked them the best way to get to the Paddington area. One of them pointed to about 8 black taxis lined up waiting for any passenger. I don't care what anybody says, taking a taxi in London is worth every dime. Those are the best drivers in the world and very helpful to boot. We only paid 7 quid for that journey and 9 the next morning from Paddington to the Embassy.

The poke on the shoulder would be nice while hes in line at the Embassy..

But the more I think about it with mum and pops help in Merseyside, When he gets in from a long day of work on the 7th I could be in his bed getting a poke before his interview on the 8th and we could both be alot more relaxed before the interview Thanks Rebeccajo

[spiritee 0]

I too am local. Gatwick is the other side of the M25! Granted that Heathrow is in Middx.

Heathrow to the West End is 16.1 miles and Gatwick is 31.1 miles. If you do not believe me go to multimap, I know what I am talking about. I rest my case!

Heathrow is in Middlesex. Gatwick is on the Surrey/West Sussex border. To central London it takes approximately the same amount of time from both. Plus Heathrow is in a FAR more congested area. Busy busy busy.

Take my word for it....I AM a local.

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SI...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

[Mags 112]

Am I back in the school yard? Certainly bloody feels like it...

Please note I said (in my second post) "to central London it takes approximately the same amount of time from both".

There is really no need for the "so nayah" tone.

Edited November 21, 2006 by mags

[spiritee 0]

You had stated that both airports were a similar distance which is untrue and I was merely trying to point this out as the OP had asked which was closer. I simply stated the fact, I am not trying to prove a point. Which by the way now I have stated the fact you are trying to justify yourself and then try and make out that I am being childish!

Edited November 21, 2006 by spiritee

[Mags 112]

Nothing can be simple...

I can see myself lost in London already...

I might have to rethink this and just surprise him in merseyside and call in some help from his mum and pops to help with the surprise and just drive to London with him.

Oh, I don't know....

I think it'd be WAY worth it all to walk up behind him in the line at the Embassy and poke him on the shoulder and ask him if he needs a lift after he's finished....

London's really clearly marked. I don't think you'd get lost. Wes had only ever been there once, it was ages ago, he didn't remember squat and so it was the blind leading the blind. We made it just fine. I also have to say that I didn't feel unsafe in London. I think if you were to your hotel by 8 or 9 pm you'd be sitting pretty.

I just asked questions whenever we had any. As an American tourist, you'd find most folks to be very helpful. When we came out of Victoria (at about 8 pm) there were police officers standing there and we asked them the best way to get to the Paddington area. One of them pointed to about 8 black taxis lined up waiting for any passenger. I don't care what anybody says, taking a taxi in London is worth every dime. Those are the best drivers in the world and very helpful to boot. We only paid 7 quid for that journey and 9 the next morning from Paddington to the Embassy.

The poke on the shoulder would be nice while hes in line at the Embassy..

But the more I think about it with mum and pops help in Merseyside, When he gets in from a long day of work on the 7th I could be in his bed getting a poke before his interview on the 8th and we could both be alot more relaxed before the interview Thanks Rebeccajo

Watch out for ground tremors on the night of the 7th in the UK!!

Incidentally, the 8th is the day I fly to the States, so it is a good day all round!

Edited November 21, 2006 by mags

[missy_antha 0]

Heathrow is the more upmarket of the two Airports. Gatwick is mainly for Charter Flights with package holiday Tourists milling around. You have the North and South Terminals which are connected by a shuttle and it takes about 10 minutes to get from one Terminal to the other.

Heathrow is used more for Scheduled flights so is used by more Business Personel than the package Holiday Tourists.

Heathrow has 4 Terminals and is a far bigger Airport.

From Gatwick you can get the Gatwick Express which will take you straight to Victoria and you could get a cab from there to the Embassy probably around £10.

Heathrow has the Heathrow Express which takes 15 minutes to Paddington. A cab from there to the Embassy would be around £10.

Don't get a taxi from the Airport. Heathrow has Black Cabs which will cost a minimum of £55 to the Embassy and will take ages in the traffic.

Gatwick has it's own cab firm so no black cabs from there and it will cost a minimum of £65 to the Embassy.

I would just fly into whichever airport you can get the best deal for. It is really easy and you won't get lost I assure you.

[Mags 112]

Gatwick has much better shopping facilities than Heathrow and is generally cleaner and more modern. Better for duty free shopping and gift buying.

Incidentally, South Terminal at Gatwick is awful, just awful. That's where, as Missy said, the charter/European flights go from. The North Terminal though is wonderful and uncrowded. Yup, the majority of transatlantic/long haul flights go from there.

But, judging from Kelle's needs, Heathrow does seem to be the better choice for her. But no, don't take any road route into London from there. You'll spend hours stuck in traffic. Take a train or tube. Plus it is a NASTY area too...

Edited November 21, 2006 by mags