How long to get from Gatwick train station to gate?

callum9999

While I'm sure this question isn't much more specific than "how long is a piece of string", hopefully someone has a rough idea!

I only have hand luggage but am flying with Monarch so will have to check-in. It doesn't look like they have any self-check in kiosks at Gatwick, but I don't think Monarch have that many flights from Gatwick so hopefully it shouldn't take too long to check in?

My train gets me there 1.5hrs before departure (13.30 on Thursday) so does anyone know if it's very busy around that time? While it's plenty of time for all the other flights I've taken, I get very paranoid about getting there on time so I'm considering paying to check-in online to speed it up a bit.

Bob_the_Saver

What if this happens (again)

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/fire-on-gatwick-express-causes-chaos-and-closures-at-victoria-8454918.html

Arrive much earlier and head for the bar just in case.

callum9999

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

What if this happens (again)

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/fire-on-gatwick-express-causes-chaos-and-closures-at-victoria-8454918.html

Arrive much earlier and head for the bar just in case.

I would hope that insurance would cover it should that happen - not that it's a particularly likely scenario (particularly as I'm coming from the South coast during off-peak).

12pm was the earliest I could get there on a cheap ticket, but I guess you're right with the better safe than sorry. Getting there at 11am for an extra tenner isn't too bad.

Obviously_the_best

As long as your train is 1 hour before your your flight you'll be fine, as your flight leaves from the terminal the station is in

dzug1

From the train to the end of the checkin queue should take about 10 minutes, assuming south terminal

Insurance will only cover you if you have left the recommended time before your departure - not if you've cut it fine. What do monarch say?

richardw

You've got no allowance for

You missing the train
The train being late
Check in being busy
Security being busy
Your flight being from a distant gate

2sides2everystory

richardw wrote: »

You've got no allowance for

You missing the train
The train being late
Check in being busy
Security being busy

Your flight being from a distant gate

Don't know much about the first four Gatwick-wise, but that last one was just what I was thinking too ... I don't know Gatwick very well but a couple of times in the last few years I've flown from a gate which was very up hill and down dale (well across that very tall up and over contraption beneath which jets are shunted back and forth ?).

My recollections are that it just seems a very long way compared even to Stansted out to gates in the 50s.

callum9999

richardw wrote: »

You've got no allowance for

You missing the train
The train being late
Check in being busy
Security being busy
Your flight being from a distant gate

True, but I won't miss the train and this post was about gauging how busy check-in and security are likely to be on a weekday lunchtime (roughly of course).

I always turn up at least 2 hours before my flights and I invariably get to the gate with well over an hour to spare. I guess I'll just pay the extra money and get there an hour earlier though - odds are the first time out of 30 odd flights I didn't allow 2 hours is the first time I actually need 2 hours!

Bob_the_Saver

Have to say I'm a big 'get there early and don't worry about it fan'.
I'm flying from Heathrow late Thursday (I hope :snow_laug) but I'll set off on Wednesday and Mrs Bob the saver and I will spent the night at her mother's place in London :eek:
I'll then leave quite early, well I don't want to get in the way of mother in laws's cooking (all that eye of newt and toe of frog puts me off my lunch), get to Heathrow about 4 hours before the alleged departure time, get rid of my little bag ASAP and head for a bar.
At least I won't be troubling these forums with tales of woe because I missed my flight.

Louisdf

No doubt that if they do miss it (ie. due to long security lines), they will refuse to take any personal responsibility and demand a refund from Monarch/ask Gatwick to pay for a new flight and pay for a 4* hotel while they wait.


On a side note, why don't Monarch offer on-line check in for people with hand luggage only and who don't reserve seats? I can't think of an airline which doesn't apart from Monarch. Surely, as a low cost airline Monarch should be offering it (or like Ryanair/Wizzair forcing it) as standard to save on the costs of hiring check-in staff.

richardw

'Cause they like to your weigh bag Louisdf.