London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [217]
The National Express Airport bus is the most direct option between Gatwick and Heathrow. Buses pick up passengers every 15 minutes from 5:20 am to 11 pm from both airports. The trip takes around 70 minutes, and the fare is £19.50 one-way. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance. National Express buses between Stansted and Gatwick depart every 30 to 45 minutes and take around 3 hours and 45 minutes. The adult single fare is £30.20. Some airlines may offer shuttle services as well—check with your travel agent in advance of your journey.
Contacts BAA (www.baa.com). easyBus (www.easybus.co.uk). First Capital Connect (www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk). Gatwick Express (0845/850–1530 | www.gatwickexpress.com). Heathrow Express (0845600–1515 | www.heathrowexpress.com). National Express (0870/580–8080 | www.nationalexpress.com). SkyShuttle (0845/481–0960 | www.skyshuttle.co.uk.com). Stansted Express (0845/850–0150 | www.stanstedexpress.com).
Transfer Information Airport Travel Line (0871/200–2323).
FLIGHTS
British Airways is the national flagship carrier and offers mostly nonstop flights from 16 U.S. cities to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, along with flights to Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. It also offers flights to New York from London City Airport near Docklands.
Airline Contacts American Airlines (800/433–7300, 0207/365–0777 in London | www.aa.com). British Airways (800/247–9297, 0844/493–0787 in U.K. | www.ba.com) to Heathrow, Gatwick. Delta Airlines (800/221–1212 for U.S. reservations, 800/241–4141 for international reservations, 0845/600-0950 in U.K. | www.delta.com). United Airlines (800/864–8331 for U.S. reservations, 800/538–2929 for international reservations, 0845/844–4777 in U.K., 800/231–0856 for international reservations for Continental Airlines, now merged with United | www.united.com). US Airways (800/428–4322 for U.S. and Canada reservations, 800/622–1015 for international reservations, 0845/600–3300 in U.K | www.usairways.com). Virgin Atlantic (800/821–5438, 0844/209–7777 in U.K. | www.virgin-atlantic.com).
BUS TRAVEL
ARRIVING AND DEPARTING
National Express is the biggest British coach operator and the nearest equivalent to Greyhound. It’s not as fast as traveling by train, but it’s comfortable (with washroom facilities on board). Services depart mainly from Victoria Coach Station, a well-signposted short walk behind the Victoria mainline rail station. The departures point is on the corner of Buckingham Palace Road; this is also the main information point. The arrivals point is opposite at Elizabeth Bridge. National Express buses travel to all large and midsize cities in southern England and the midlands. Scotland and the north are not as well served. The station is extremely busy around holidays and weekends. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you can find the correct exit gate. Smoking is not permitted on board.
Another bus company, Megabus, has been packing in the budget travelers in recent years, since it offers cross-country fares for as little as £1 per person. The company’s single- and double-decker buses serve an extensive array of cities across Great Britain with a cheerful budget attitude. In London, buses for all destinations depart from the Green Line bus stand at Victoria Station. Megabus does not accommodate wheelchairs, and the company strictly limits luggage to one piece per person checked, and one piece of hand luggage.
Greyhound itself recently launched a low-cost bus service connecting London Victoria with several destinations on England’s south coast, as well as Cardiff and Swansea in Wales.
Green Line serves the counties surrounding London, as well as airports. Bus stops (there’s no central bus station) are on Buckingham Palace