Is it best to get public transport to the airport?

soolin

I travel a lot and always have a hold bag and aim to be at the airport at least 2 hours, if not more before my flight. I’d never arrange to arrive at the airport with as little as 1.5 hours before my flight. I’d much rather spend an extra half hour or so sitting quietly reading in the terminal than give myself a fright by watching the time to check in tick down while stuck on a train or on a motorway. In the past I’ve had a mini bus get a puncture which meant turning us out on a motorway to wait for a replacement, I’ve seen the Dartford crossing closed to all traffic just as I approached it, and I’ve had a train just stop randomly and sit for 25 minutes when a driver was taken Ill, however having travelled several times a year for 50 years I don’t think those odds are bad. 

I’m about 1.15 hours from Gatwick but have to use the Dartford crossing which concerns me as I’ve faced many a problem there in the past. For an 8am flight I’d aim to be at check in point (because I have a hold bag) by 6am but wouldn’t risk travelling and would book a hotel at airport. We stay at the terminal , Gatwick has several choices, and just walk across to the terminal at check in time having had a breakfast and a good nights sleep. No stress, no hassle and we feel it starts our holiday the evening before we go as we can sit in the hotel and relax with a glass of wine. 

However, my choice is based on a lot of experience travelling on the M25 and dealing with the Dartford crossing. If I was using Luton, Heathrow or Stansted I’d probably approach things differently. I’m travelling from Luton next week and it is a lunchtime flight so we will use public transport to the airport, but leave plenty of time in case of transport issues- in case we have to change our plans and use a cab. We don’t ask for lifts as a general rule as drop off costs can be high and we don’t need it if we are staying overnight for an early flight. 

I know you are reluctant to state the airport but it can make a difference, what works for us at Gatwick wouldn’t work say for our friends in the Midlands or on the coast that use smaller regional airports where there are a number of routes they could take in case one road has issues, and who know they can book parking cheaply and easily by the terminal.  

JGB1955

AIUI travel insurance will cover you for failure of public transport (train, bus, taxi) but not for private transport (flat tyre,  run out of petrol, big queues on the motorway). I would go with public transport every time!

p00hsticks

For an early Sunday morning flight, I'd seriously look at travelling the day before and staying in a hotel local to the airport. 

user1977

If the worst happened and you had to book a new flight - is that going to break the bank?

Thriftymissus

Like @p00hsticks above, I’d consider staying in an airport hotel the night before your early morning flight. Of course it’s a more costly option but I find the lack of stress about getting there priceless and go on the train, the evening before. Also depends on time of return flight and ease of getting public transport back after the time of return. 

lr1277

Stating the obvious, all these suggestions could apply to the return flight.

And if you are in a foreign country you might have less knowledge about travel time either by road or public transport.

B0bbyEwing

Voyager2002 said:

Personally, I would not expect a friend or relative to serve as my personal chauffeur like that: three hours of driving (they have to get home afterwards) is a lot, and they would face significant expenses.

How does that help my question at all really? 

You have zero idea if I've asked them they've offered to me I'm paying them, they're saying I don't need to or they're saying I don't need to but I'm going to transfer them money regardless. 

Absolutely no idea. 

And not that any of that is relevant to the question/answer anyway. 

B0bbyEwing

lr1277 said:

You really want to leave it to the day to make the decision? Is your relative ok with you telling them on the day whether you need them or not?

Should you want to take a taxi on the day, there may be none available. They do tend to get booked up.

What have you actually read? 

I'm baffled because I've re-read my post and still can't fathom why you think I'm leaving it to the day itself to decide...... When I didn't even say that.

Why on earth do you think I'm leaving it to the day rather than asking a question in advance and trying to plan ahead? 

Honestly. Baffled. 

B0bbyEwing

I'm on the phone at the mo and not PC so to save quoting all I've clicked the thanks. 

Yes, we intend on getting there really quite early before the flight out. As Soolin said, we'd rather be sat about waiting than having to dash. 

Also thanks Soolin for the explanation as to why airport may matter. In that case it's Manchester and we'll be coming top down than bottom up but that's as much info as I'm giving on my location on a message board I'm afraid. No I don't think anyone is coming to my house of this one thread but still.

Thanks for the feedback. 

la531983

There only used to be one 24- train service that served Manchester Airport. That's likely the only one that gets you in on time. I have no idea if you live anywhere near the route of that service.