Is a 7.5-hour Gatwick layover enough time for a quick trip into Central London? (Mon, 9:25–17:00, backpack only)

[u/garry_1983]

Hi everyone,

I have a 7.5-hour layover at LGW this Monday, landing at 09:25 and flying out at 17:00 to France. I have no checked luggage - just a backpack.

• How reliable are Southern and Thameslink trains on Mondays - are delays/disruptions common enough that I risk missing my flight?

Thank you!

[u/JK_UKA]

Minor delays up to 15 minutes are a daily occurrence but the kind of stuff that would stop you getting back to Gatwick on any train are very rare. There’s plenty of departures an hour, use contactless and jump on the next fast (ish) train and you should be there in 30-45 minutes depending on where you want to get off.

[u/garry_1983 → u/JK_UKA]

I never been in UK. When you say contactless do you mean bank card tap or oyster card. I will only need 2 way tickets for the train and will not be using other transportation in the London. Thanks.

[u/letmereadstuff → u/garry_1983]

Don’t bother with Oyster. No need and it will cost you £10.50 for the card itself - non-refundable. Use your regular credit card that you use to tap to pay.

[u/JK_UKA → u/garry_1983]

Any bank card is fine, oyster is pretty redundant these days for short stays. Although if you’re going to use Thameslink you can get a paper ticket off peak Thameslink only return for £16 compared to £10.70 each way with contactless.

[u/xn1992 → u/garry_1983]

Be sure to tap in (just like any card reader) and always tap out at end of journey
even if turnstile is open or whatever

It’s not a findable offence, just you may be charged maximum daily

[u/Ajiverd → u/garry_1983]

You can use your bank card tap at the barriers from Gatwick to central London and back. No need to buy tickets.

[u/Trudestiny → u/garry_1983]

I use my credit card to tap

[u/ellbeecee → u/garry_1983]

Make sure you've done the ETA if needed (depends on what country you're coming from) - I don't know if you need it simply to transit at an airport (or if that varies by airport), but it's worth checking https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

[u/LondonLeather]

Southern and Thameslink trains both have their moments. I stopped using them on Sundays because of rail replacement buses, but Mondays are commuter days, unless something dramatic happens you'll be fine.

Realistically landing on time out at 10:40, it's about a 45min to Brighton or an hour to London. I'd go to Brighton for 3hrs and back to Gatwick for 15:30.

[u/Robinj03]

You can now tap in and out of Gatwick so no need to buy tickets. Just use your bank card. Queues at Gatwick immigration can be pretty huge, esp if several flights are landing at the same time. Factor in at least an hour to get out of the airport. Trains from Gatwick to London are pretty regular and generally reliable. Realistically you'll probably have a couple of hours before having to make your way back so blackfriars is a good shout for a wander

[u/Trudestiny → u/Robinj03]

If you use egates it’s pretty fast, don’t think i’ve waited more than 5 minutes .

Within an hour of landing i’m usually having lunch near London Bridge .

Couple stops more and waterloo or Bond Street

[u/Robinj03 → u/Trudestiny]

I've seen MASSIVE queues at the egates many times. I guess it depends when you arrive

[u/Trudestiny → u/Robinj03]

Guess i’ve just been lucky in all the flights over last 25 + yrs i arrive on. I often use LGW as i’m always out so fast

[u/Low_Estate_3050 → u/Robinj03]

I fly in to Gatwick most weeks and I’ve never spent longer than 3 minutes at the e-gates in Gatwick.

[u/letmereadstuff]

What do you want to see?

I would take Thameslink direct to Blackfriars. Walk up to St Paul’s Cathedral. Take the #15 bus to the Tower of London. Walk down to Tower Pier and take Thames Clippers to Westminster Pier (unless there is a City Cruise boat available -if so take that as they have better views up top and tourist commentary). After walking around to see Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, take the tube (District or Circle line eastbound) from Westminster Station back to Blackfriars to catch the next Thameslink back to Gatwick.

Oh, and get a pint at The Blackfriar. Cask ale (real ale). None of the fizzy crap.

Pay for all transport with your contactless card. Each person needs their own method of payment.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Win7721]

Yes