5.15am flight from Gatwick with kids - hotel?

ferf1223

does your airline allow you to check in the night before your flight? if so, then that would make things a lot calmer in the morning and might make the hotel idea that much more appealing.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

. Even if you stop in the Premier Inn North Terminal you'll need to be getting up at around 3am.

But that's exactly what people do.
Check in from 1400.
You can be fed and watered, and tucked up in bed with a Mills and Boon by 2000.
By the time you alarm goes off at 0230 you might not have had 6.5 hours sleep, but you'll have had plenty of rest.
Quick shower, 2 minute walk and you're in Departures not long after 0300 for that 0515 flight.

PompeyPete

Alleycat wrote: »

PompeyPete - I really don't fancy dragging the kids and suitcases across London on public transport in the early hours of the morning so would prefer to either drive or cab it.

You can check into Premier Inn North Terminal from 1400.

ossie

PompeyPete wrote: »

But that's exactly what people do.
Check in from 1400.
You can be fed and watered, and tucked up in bed with a Mills and Boon by 2000.
By the time you alarm goes off at 0230 you might not have had 6.5 hours sleep, but you'll have had plenty of rest.
Quick shower, 2 minute walk and you're in Departures not long after 0300 for that 0515 flight.

and you may be able to check in luggage day before. So you can head straight to Security & Passport Control with hand luggage saving a bit of time.

bargainhunterkid

Another vote for the premier inn at Gatwick North Terminal - so close to the airport. I always prefer to stay over with super early flight as find we all get a better night's sleep than if you know you've got a long drive first thing. WOuld imagine they offer parking deal too.

peachyprice

Our flight tomorrow isn't until 9am, we're still staying at the Premier Inn tonight!


OP, I would book the Premier Inn, find cheap off-site parking and arrive at Gatwick early afternoon. You won't be in a rush to get from the car park to the airport, you'll have plenty of time to get the children settled for an early night, the next morning all you have is a (sleepy) 5 mins walk. Even better if you can do twilight check in for your luggage the night before.

PompeyPete

peachyprice wrote: »

Our flight tomorrow isn't until 9am, we're still staying at the Premier Inn tonight!

Have a nice trip.:beer:

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

But that's exactly what people do.
Check in from 1400.
You can be fed and watered, and tucked up in bed with a Mills and Boon by 2000.
By the time you alarm goes off at 0230 you might not have had 6.5 hours sleep, but you'll have had plenty of rest.
Quick shower, 2 minute walk and you're in Departures not long after 0300 for that 0515 flight.

Hmm... maybe but I don't think my body clock would like that. Then again, I don't travel with kids so you would have to take them into account.

For an 8am flight I would always take the hotel option (I did it recently and got from bed to the airside Wetherspoons in under 30 mins) but for a 5:15 departure I'd be tempted to treat it as a very late night flight rather than an early morning one.

bagpuss38

Our flight was at 6:45am with a 9 and 6 year old.
Stayed at premier inn north terminal. Very reasonable for one night and it added to the excite for the kids.
We were up at 4am and drove to the airport for prebookrd parking then shuttle bus to terminal. All very easy and relaxed.

elverson

I'd definitely look at the cost of pre-booked minicabs versus driving and parking at the airport.