Heathrow vs Gatwick

[takemewithyou]

Looking at a cruise to British Isles on X that departs from Harwich 8/2013.

We are going to spend 3 nights in London prior to the cruise in Westminster section of central London.

From PHX, we have a choice of US Air flights connecting thru PHL to Heathrow or Charlotte to Gatwick. Price is about the same....times similar. We are FF on US Air.

 

Is one option better than the other?

 

We would prefer flying out of Charlotte, but are not familiar with costs and ease of transport from Gatwick to central London. Thinking Gatwick would be a smaller airport and thus easier to navigate, though.

 

Any advice? Thanks :)

[Gardyloo]

The Gatwick Express train takes around 30 min. to Victoria vs. 15-20 for the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Costs are pretty comparable - maybe 1 or 2 pounds less for Gatwick. If you were connecting onward, Heathrow would be preferable; but if you're just going to/from the UK then it doesn't matter very much.

[Twickenham]

I would go with the LGW flight for 2 main reasons:

-PHL reputation for poor luggage handling;

-Gatwick Express puts you closer to Westminster.

In terms of LGW being a smaller airport... only marginally.