Apparently the train in and out of Gatwick is pretty good, so the option of all driving to Gatwick in the morning and then you getting the train into London might be an idea. There must be enough stuff in an airport to entertain wife and children for six hours.
Alternatively, get your wife to grow a backbone. What was the point in learning to drive if she wont drive 30 miles? I put off driving on the motorway for months when I passed, until I drove my dad to Cornwall and he conveniently neglected to tell me we had to do one junction on the M5. I think it was all a cunning plan, as it was completely fine. We all have to bite the bullet and do it at some point.
Or I guess you might have a friendly friend or family member who could drop the wife and children at Gatwick?
If you decide to drive, Helicopter's your man for sneaky back routes in and around the Gatwick area.
|
Apparently the train in and out of Gatwick is pretty good so the option of all driving to Gatwick in the morning and then you getting the train into London might be an idea. There must be enough stuff in an airport to entertain wife and children for six hours.
Well my son has to be at school, so that's a non-starter.
Alternatively get your wife to grow a backbone. What was the point in learning to drive if she wont drive 30 miles? I put off driving on the motorway for months when I passed until I drove my dad to Cornwall and he conveniently neglected to tell me we had to do one junction on the M5.
I tried this approach, quite persistently.
She did drive from Windsor to Slough along a brief bit of dual carriaeway and from Slough back along the M25, the M25 was not a great experience though. She's not on joining fast traffic from a sliproad
We have a nice 210bhp engine that does 0-60 in 7 seconds, and I have tried to impress upon her that acceleration is a good thing on the motorway. The site of cars flashing by at 80+ mph to the right didn't do much for her. Had to pull out briefly where the M25 splits into the M3, but she didn't notice (I had to point it out) the rather obvious hazard ahead of a caravan two cars ahead to her left that should have been anticipated given the situation (motorway split). It was signalling as well.
We ended up behind said caravan doing about 45mph for much of the way.
I did point out that satnav would find a nice 'no motorways' route that didn't take in any dual carriageways until Gatwick itself, where it's joined from a roundabout, so less challenging. She wasn't persuaded.
|
With hindsight, maybe the backbone comment was a little harsh. I came back to self moderate myself but you had beaten me to it and replied! Sorry.
|
|
|
Flunky.
You go to work by train. Catch Thameslink from Moorgate to Gatwick. Takes about 45 minutes, I think.
Mrs F and all the little F's go by cab with luggage picking up Master F at school and meet you at airport. You all return to your house by cab or persuade kind friend or relative to collect.
Where are you off to with a one hour check-in, anyway?
|
|
Have you got a friend or relative who'll drive your car to the airport for you and bus or train it back ?
|
I have to agree with the others that the car option from S London wouldn't work unless you can leave earlier than 3. I live in Sutton and have a handy shortcut direct to the M23 and could get to Gatwick in 30 mins, but the bit north of here could be just too slow. Plus you're relying on the M23 having no hold-ups. Where would you be planning to park at Gatwick? The short stay car parks can be pricey for more than a day (assuming you're off for the weekend) or you'll need to allow transfer time if parking in the long-stay parks.
You've mentioned that your wife and family would be prepared to travel there by train. An open return shouldn't cost much more than a single for them. If travelling back by train, almost all the cost would be your single fare alone.
Is there a timing issue e.g. return late at night, ruling out a train return?
|
I have to agree with the others that the car option from S London wouldn't work unless you can leave earlier than 3. I live in Sutton and have a handy shortcut direct to the M23 and could get to Gatwick in 30 mins but the bit north of here could be just too slow. Plus you're relying on the M23 having no hold-ups. Where would you be planning to park at Gatwick? The short stay car parks can be pricey for more than a day (assuming you're off for the weekend) or you'll need to allow transfer time if parking in the long-stay parks.
Yeah I thought about driving there in the morning, but then I'm adding more than an hour to my morning journey when I'll want to be in early.
I'd have to park in Long Stay in the morning, get the carpark bus to the airport, walk to the station, get into work, then in the evening get from station to carpark bus stop, find the car, then get to a bus (which might have changed zone since the morning, meaning a long luggage haulage job to a running bus stop) to go back to the terminal.
You've mentioned that your wife and family would be prepared to travel there by train. An open return shouldn't cost much more than a single for them. If travelling back by train almost all the cost would be your single fare alone. Is there a timing issue e.g. return late at night ruling out a train return?
Actually the train service is pretty good. It's one hour, from Gatwick to us, with one change. The relative journey length compared to parking and driving is not going to be that difference.
The only issue is the luggage for 2 adults, baby and boy. But I guess if we can get it from the car to the check-in desk, I can manage to haul it through the rush hour trains and tube to work.
The train shouldn't cost much as I have a zone 1-6 pass, so I only need to buy an open return from Zone 6 Border to Gatwick, which should be less expensive.
|
>>...............The only issue is the luggage for 2 adults, baby and boy.
Any more info? Please stop the drip feed. :-)
My final suggestion.
Wait til the rush hour is over, check "Traffic England" and pop over to Gatwick from home and leave the bags there the evening before travel.
It will obviously cost time, petrol, short stay carpark and £6 a bag BUT all will travel to LGW without breaking out in a sweat, relatively relaxed and early.
You can still get to work early.
www.traffic-england.co.uk/TCC/
and click on the roadside message signs
www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/south.html
www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/facilities-north.h...l
|
>> Wait til the rush hour is over check "Traffic England" and pop over to Gatwick from home and leave the bags there the evening before travel. >>
Can't you check your bags in up to 24 hours before departure?
Don't you have a friendly neighbourhood minicab service?
Where do you live?
|
|
Good luck with the journey and holiday ..... and when you get back could I respectfully suggest you book your wife a Passplus course? She will then get the confidence needed to tackle the slip roads.
|
Well, flunky, what are you going to do?
This has become like an episode of 24. What's going to happen next?
We're all now involved in your work and commute, your wife's newness as a driver, your son's schooling and the gear that goes with the baby. What's the solution?
If you live an hour from Gatwick by train, the minicab cost can't be too horrendous in comparison with the fuss. And you'll be saving on the cost of the carpark which is about £7 a day, isn't it?
As you've said, your own additional cost is just a single from Zone 6 to Gatwick.
So what's the solution?
Happy hols.
|
|
Lose a day's pay. Start your holiday relaxed and happy that all is in order. The self-employed are quite used to not earning when they don't work, it's just a fact of life. Do some overtime when you get back if necessary? Or just put it down to being part of the total holiday costs? Don't risk your hols going wrong over this. Just my tuppence worth. Hope it all works out!
|
So what's the solution?
We will all get the train, there and back. Should save over £100 compared to the taxi, and hauling the luggage won't be too horrendous.
|
|
Good decision. There are lifts from platform to concourse at Gatwick, so luggage is no problem. For anyone with good access to the Thameslink line, there's no better way to deal with Gatwick.
|
Slightly different scenario, I had to be at Gatwick last Friday for a 5 am flight, couldn't be bothered to drive for the 4 days away,and a cab from Weybridge was 55 ish.
My solution, i took the last train from Weybridge, to Clapham Junction, and took the Express - £12 single, absolutely wonderful, got there with hours to spare, booked in early, then got breaky -so easy.
For you, you should take the Express, and pay for wife and kids and luggage to go by cab. the train fares will be a large % of the cab costs anyway- have fun.
|
>> We will all get the train there and back. Should save over £100 compared to the taxi
>>
Where abouts do you live? Just the general area, if you don't want to be too specific.
I am surprised that it is going to save more than £100. What have you been quoted?
|
|
Friend got a minicab from Richmond to Gatwick. Said the damage was 50 quid.
|
I'd have thought from what flunky has said about his distance from Gatwick, £35 or £40 would take care of the cab. Better in my view than putting the mrs, son and heir and baby on a train with a change to cope with on the way to Gatwick.
Anyone want to guess what flunky drives? "210 bhp with a 0-60 time of 7 seconds"? Just curious.
|
Anyone want to guess what flunky drives? "210 bhp with a 0-60 time of 7 seconds"?
Whatever it is, it is sadly wasted so far on Ms flunky. Perhaps a trip with a Paris or Rome taxi driver in the right mood will make her see the light...
:o}
|
|
|
|
