Gatwick or Heathrow to Dover transfers?

[sgu]

I'm still deciding what airport to fly into, but does anyone have any recommendations on transfers from these locations? Any private hires anyone has used or if anyone has taken the national express from either location, is it easy?

 

We will be travelling all day from BC Canada to London with 3 kids aged 14, 11, and 8 so we will be tired. However, we are trying to save money and are used to travelling.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

[TLCOhio]

I'm still deciding what airport to fly into, but does anyone have any recommendations on transfers from these locations? Any private hires anyone has used or if anyone has taken the national express from either location, is it easy? We will be travelling all day from BC Canada to London with 3 kids aged 14, 11, and 8 so we will be tired. However, we are trying to save money and are used to traveling. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Clearly Gatwick is closer to Dover than Heathrow. It's about a 100 miles from Heathrow to Dover versus 80 miles from Gatwick to Dover. That added distance would be all on the fairly fast-moving M25 "outerbelt" that runs around London. There's a time difference, but it's not huge. The bigger or another factor to consider might be how many flights go each day from BC Canada to London Heathrow versus to Gatwick. As an example, if there are five flights a day going to Heathrow and only one or two to Gatwick, then you've got more "flexibility" or back-up protection if one flight is scrubbed or delayed. For your cruise, are you planning and scheduling to get there a day early or only on the day of your cruise departure?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[handfordr]

As above the closest airport by about 30 miles is Gatwick to Dover.

A private car direct is going to be about 150-200 GBP each way and take well under 2 hours.

 

The cheapest rail option for your party od 2 adults and 3 children is going to be cross country via Tonbridge (not through Central London) and one other and could cost as little as 107 GBP (off peak return) for your whole party return plus about 15 GBP for taxi's between the cruise terminal and the railway station at Dover either way. (you may need 2 taxi's depending on luggage) and take about 2.5 to 3 hours with trains about every 30 minutes.

 

However, as above the key aspect with regards cost overall between Heathrow and Gatwick is probably going to be the relative cost and convenience of the flights, not the transfers.

[insidecabin]

Look at one way car rental

 

A car for 5 with luggage should be around £100 including the 1 way fees

 

More convenient than the train if you don't mind driving.

 

Motorway most of the route so easy.

[Elcruzer]

Would also like any recommendations for car service transfer from Dover to Heathrow

[bunnysmom]

Would also like any recommendations for car service transfer from Dover to Heathrow

 

This is who I'm booking with.

 

http://www.limo.co.uk/

[John Bull]

For a transfer between Dover and either Heathrow or Gatwick, you will get a much better price using a local (ie Dover) taxi rather than a London or airport-based service, whether it's to or from an airport. They regularly handle airport jobs.

Try www.dovertaxis.com or google "taxi Dover" for others.

Make sure they are aware of your numbers and luggage.

 

Same logic applies to Southampton, Harwich, etc.

 

John Bull

[uppitycats]

I'm still deciding what airport to fly into, but does anyone have any recommendations on transfers from these locations? Any private hires anyone has used or if anyone has taken the national express from either location, is it easy?

 

We will be travelling all day from BC Canada to London with 3 kids aged 14, 11, and 8 so we will be tired. However, we are trying to save money and are used to travelling.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

We booked with www.airport-connect.org. Jeff is our contact person and was very helpful. We don't have the kids issue, but I have a manual wheelchair, and he was quite quick to assure me that they could handle that without a problem.

[offtraveling]

Arriving at gatwick airport at 10:00 am. Traveling to Dover

Return from Dover back to Gatwick to catch a 15:35 flight.

4 adults.

Cheap transportation suggestions welcomed.

[sgu]

I've booked with silverline. For 5 of us from gatwick to dover its 105 pounds, all taxes inclusive.

 

They are booked out of Kent county and are much cheaper than anyone else.

 

You don't need to give a credit card number in advance, just pay the driver in cash at the end of your transfer.

 

ATM's are available at the airport if you don't want to change money at home.