Gatwick Airport - Pros and Cons

[bertair]

I have a friend who has used Gatwick as their point of entry to the UK for a number of trips, arriving from Australia after a stop over in AMS and says that they will never go through LHR again as at LGW the arrival is smoother, has less people and less likely to have delays. Same goes for outbound flights.
I assume that the major carriers that use LGW have lounges along similar lines as LHR?

I am planning a UK trip shortly, and thinking it might be worth giving LGW a try. My previous experiences at LHR have been okay, but very time consuming to get through the usual channels and on my way etc.
However, LGW being to the East of London and I will be driving to Cornwall, LHR still seems a better idea.
I would like to hear from members, their pro and cons of LGW.

 

[AIRwin]

I thought LGW is south of London?

 

[bertair]

I thought LGW is south of London?

Yes, I guess sort of more South rather than East, but I think that driving from there will add sometime to my trip; Heathrow is less than 4 hours in good conditions,Gatwick looks like closer to 5 hours. And then there is the time take to clear immigration, customs etc.

 

[downgraded]

T

Yes, I guess sort of more South rather than East, but I think that driving from there will add sometime to my trip; Heathrow is less than 4 hours in good conditions,Gatwick looks like closer to 5 hours. And then there is the time take to clear immigration, customs etc.

Then there's BHX using Emirates which is closer to Taunton than LHR.

 

[AIRwin]

Then there's BHX using Emirates which is closer to Taunton than LHR.

Or QR...

 

[dajop]

Or QR...

Who now fly to Cardiff as well, which is closer again.

 

[kelvedon]

T


Then there's BHX using Emirates which is closer to Taunton than LHR.

Although Birmingham airport is marginally closer to Taunton than LHR, It’s the wrong side of Birmingham to make the journey any quicker. From LHR it’s motorway all the way ( M4/M5). From LGW It’s a bit of a cross country trip.
These facts do however ignore the exit time from LHR which is a significantly bigger airport than LGW, which itself is signifcantly bigger than BHX.

 

[downgraded]

Although Birmingham airport is marginally closer to Taunton than LHR, It’s the wrong side of Birmingham to make the journey any quicker. From LHR it’s motorway all the way ( M4/M5). From LGW It’s a bit of a cross country trip.
These facts do however ignore the exit time from LHR which is a significantly bigger airport than LGW, which itself is signifcantly bigger than BHX.

I haven't tried them for years, but BHX is next to the M42 which takes you straight to the M5, LGW has access to the M23N to the M25 and onto the M4.
Agree LGW seems atleast 45mins further than LHR, and personally I've never seen excessive delays getting out of LHR. My last visit saw me on the road in a rental car within 40mins of the plane touching down, with checked baggage.
Google shows similar travel times from BHX as LHR, arrival time is going to be key.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I have a friend who has used Gatwick as their point of entry to the UK for a number of trips, arriving from Australia after a stop over in AMS and says that they will never go through LHR again as at LGW the arrival is smoother, has less people and less likely to have delays. Same goes for outbound flights.
I assume that the major carriers that use LGW have lounges along similar lines as LHR?

I am planning a UK trip shortly, and thinking it might be worth giving LGW a try. My previous experiences at LHR have been okay, but very time consuming to get through the usual channels and on my way etc.
However, LGW being to the East of London and I will be driving to Cornwall, LHR still seems a better idea.
I would like to hear from members, their pro and cons of LGW.

Have used both getting into the UK and it’s much of a muchness. LGW is less crowded and faster to get through. Getting out to Cornwall it won’t make a lot of difference to you since it depends on traffic but LHR would a shorter trip so LHR would be my choice.

Outbound, the taxes at LHR are higher. Similar lounges, depending on airline.