Transfer between LHR and LGW

Newnoel

I have some family members travelling from Dublin to Faro on BA, via London next year.
They need to transfer from LHR to LGW

So a few questions:

1) Will their bags be checked through all the way from Dublin to Faro?
2) Is the National Express best low cost way to transfer between the airports?
3) Is 3 hours long enough to allow for the transfer between LHR and LGW?

bradders1983

Given they will have to collect their bags and go to a different airport in London, the answer to number 1 is a resounding No. Bags wont be taken across the city by the airline, they will have to be collected at the first London airport.

Hard to answer 3 because you dont tell us what time of day. Personally I would give myself more than 3 hours given the M25.

Alan_Bowen

The answers are:
1. No, bags are not transferred, possibly try the Aer Lingus codeshare direct to Gatwick if the flights are not yet booked
2. Yes if it is 2 or 3 people but for 4 or more, a private car transfer will be cheaper
3. Barely, as the transfer requires collecting bags at T5 if they fly BA from Dublin, and they arrive at gate 22 which is about as far away from baggage collection as it is possible to be in the main terminal, and the route between airports is on the M25. Depending on the time of day, and the possibility of a crash closing the road partially or completely, the travel time can be 60 to 90 minutes I would try and find a longer connection as there will have to be another bag check-in at LGW. The official minimum transfer time is three and a half hours according to BA!

bradders1983

That is an horrific transfer given the relatively short journey. Why does the flight have to be with BA?

starrybee

bradders1983 said:

Why does the flight have to be with BA?

Second this. Ryanair fly direct?

Voyager2002

Surely there is a better way to get between Dublin and Faro.

bradders1983

I suspect the OP is using up Avios points to give his parents a freebie 

Newnoel

bradders1983 said:

I suspect the OP is using up Avios points to give his parents a freebie 

This

bradders1983

For the hassle it will cause them in London, it simply isnt worth it.

Voyager2002

bradders1983 said:

I suspect the OP is using up Avios points to give his parents a freebie 

Surely you can use Avios on other airlines like Iberia? A change of 'planes in Madrid would be very much easier.