Gatwick to & from West of England & South Wales
Public Transport Options Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth ...
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| West Country Great Western Train |
Coach, Rail or Private Car / Bus ?
There is a choice of direct public transport options from Gatwick to South Wales and West of England. Flights also operate direct from Plymouth to London Gatwick in addition to the rail and coach options the vast majority will use.
For groups and those who want the ultimate personalised transfer we have private transfers to/from Gatwick. We can also provide professional tour guides with stops if needed.
More Details on Private Cars and Buses To/From Gatwick
In broad terms by public transport the choice is between cheap and slow bus services and fast, more expensive trains.
National Express coaches run economical services to most major towns and cities in West England and South wales with a few direct services to Gatwick, something trains cannot match.
The rail network option again is normally faster but more expensive but will require at least one change of train.
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| London Transfers |
| Transfer Overview |
| Gatwick Express Train |
| First Capital Train |
| Local London Trains |
| National Express Bus |
| easyBus |
| Taxi / Private Car |
| Small / Large Groups |
| Inter Airport Transfers |
| Heathrow - Gatwick |
| Gatwick - Stansted |
| Gatwick - Luton |
| Cruise Port Transfers |
| Gatwick - Southampton |
| Gatwick - Dover |
| Gatwick - Harwich |
| UK Transfers |
| South East |
| South |
| South West & Wales |
| Midlands |
| North |
| Gatwick Airport Hotels |
| Gatwick Hotel Overview |
| Gatwick Bed & Breakfast |
| Gatwick Travel Lodges |
| Family Rooms |
| Day Rooms |
| Terminal Lounges |
| Airport Hotel Districts |
| Gatwick Airport Terminals |
| Horley |
| Crawley |
| Long Term Car Parking |
| Hotel + Parking Packages |
| Airport Car Parking |
| London Hotels / B&B |
| Best Buy Hotels |
| Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 & 3 Star Hotels |
| 4 Star Hotels |
| Family Rooms |
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Example Gatwick Public Transport Services To/From West Country & South Wales Major Towns |
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| Coach | Train | |
| Bristol | 3 hrs 20 mins - direct every 1- 2 hrs | 2 hrs 30 mins - indirect 1-2 trains each hour |
| Cardiff | 4 hrs 45 mins - direct every 1- 2 hrs | 3 hrs 15 mins - indirect 1-2 trains each hour |
| Swansea | 6 hrs - direct every 1- 2 hrs | 4 hrs - indirect 1-2 trains each hour |
| Exeter | 6 hrs - indirect every 1- 2 hrs | 3 hrs 15 mins indirect 1-2 trains each hour |
| Plymouth | 6 hrs 30 mins - indirect every 1- 2 hrs | 4 hrs 30 mins indirect 1 train each hour |
You can also of course hire a private vehicle with driver. For groups of eight or more the economics can become compelling. What is more there is no hanging around for trains and buses and no awkward transit in Central London connecting between stations.
If you have the inclination you can also customise the transfer with visits to places like Windsor or Stonehenge.
More Details on Private Cars and Buses Gatwick - West England and South Wales
Train Services Between Gatwick & Western England / South Wales
For services to South West England and South Wales from Gatwick, you will in nearly all journeys have to interconnect with services into London's Paddington station.
The most hassle free way is to catch a link train that runs from Gatwick to Reading, this is quite a scenic journey too for much of the way.
Reading is the first stop out of London for trains from Paddington.
Otherwise you will need to make the tedious transfer across Central London between Paddington and Victoria, (there is a direct London Underground link).
Gatwick Station
The station platforms are located directly below the airport’s South Terminal, and the ticket office is adjacent to that terminal’s concourse.
Although there are three major train companies that use Gatwick, ticketing is integrated and there is one large ticket hall at passenger terminal level.
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Purchasing Train Tickets & Timetables
Advance purchase fares offer great savings over tickets purchased on the day. The three types of tickets are broadly :
| Advance Purchase | Buy in advance, sold in limited numbers and subject to availability. These tickets are only valid on the date/train specified. |
| Off Peak | Buy any time, travel off-peak. these tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Where there is more than one Off-Peak fare for a journey, the cheaper fare with more restrictions will be called Super Off-Peak. |
| Anytime | Buy any time, travel any time. Anytime fares are fully flexible tickets, with no time restrictions on when you can travel. With an Anytimeticket you can also break your journey at stations along the route of travel. |
At train stations there are manned ticket offices and also ticket machines. All major credit cards are taken as well as cash.
For fares and timetables use 'The Trainline' web site.
You can purchase tickets at 'The Trainline' web site. Tickets are mailed to UK addresses only or you can opt to collect them from machines at main stations. You are sent a unique code which you enter into the machine which dispenses the tickets.
Note, most trains are only confirmed up to 3 months in advance. So if you search for a journey further ahead than 3 months you may well get an incomplete picture of available schedules and tickets.
If you want to purchase train tickets in advance, for the overseas visitor this can present problems as there are with few exceptions no true etickets delivered by email at present.
Tickets can be sent to UK addresses only. You can however order tickets on-line and pick up the tickets from machines at Gatwick Airport station and other major stations throughout the UK.
Discounted Train Tickets to Gatwick Return
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Deep discounts and free tickets for children! There are strict conditions on these bargain tickets: |
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National Express Coaches
National Express offer a good coverage of direct services from to Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea. For other destinations you will probably need to change buses at these or Heathrow Airport which all services run via.
Unlike the train alternative there are true etickets and there are seniors fares available to anyone over 60 on demand. Most journeys will be far cheaper than train, especially if you get a return ticket over taking the train. However frequencies are not as good and journey times are normally longer.
National Express Journey Planner - Timetables, Fares, Ticketing
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Cheapest promotional fares are available online in advance. Normally a return fare is much, much cheaper than two single fares. Unlike the rail network there are senior's fares available to anyone over the age of 60. Unlike the railways tickets bought online are true etickets, visitors from overseas can pay by credit card and have their tickets delivered by email in a couple of minutes.
Formally the baggage allowance that goes into the hold is 2 cases, neither of which should be heavier than 20kg. Drivers load the bags and they are not weighed, most drivers are very flexible as long as you are not taking obvious advantage. Things like bikes and other outsize luggage are carried subject to the discretion of the driver and them being properly packed so they do not damage other peoples luggage. (Check the National Express web site for a full list of banned items).
Private Transfers From Cars To Large Groups
We have options to cater for all party sizes.
Saloon Cars / Sedans / MPV - For Up To 4 Passengers
Saloon/ Sedan car or MPV/Estate/Station Wagon size vehicle. Will take 4 full size adults and around 4 cases with some small hand luggage.
All driver waiting time and airport parking included in airport pick-ups - No extra charges if your flight is delayed!
Small Bus - For Up To 8 Passengers With 16 Large Cases
Air conditioned roomy small buses with lots of luggage room for small groups. (These buses are really 12 seat buses with seats taken out). Drivers meet and greet at airports, hotels and ports just like the cars.
You can fit wheelchairs and electric scooters into the hold, but vehicles do not have a special lift.
Small Bus - For Up To 12 or 16 Passengers With 16+ Large Cases
Luxury small buses, air conditioned with aisles down the middle.
We have a range of models to suit the needs of most parties.
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| If you require baby or booster seats just ask |
We can even accommodate outsize luggage. Electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, surfboards and bicycles are some of the common requests we get each year.
We even have driver guides that perform many of our professional day tours from London that are available for tour transfers.
Large Groups & Tour Groups
We provide a custom service for large groups.
Whether it be just a single transfer or a complete tour programme we can normally put forward a proposal whatever the size of party.
We can't provide you with a menu of prices as every group is different. Just use our enquiry form at the bottom of the page and we will get back to you with a proposal that meets your own individual parties needs.
Gatwick Private Transfer Quotation / Enquiry Request
Private Transfers From Gatwick North Terminal
Currently there is only parking for cars at the North Terminal Gatwick.
Private transfers requiring 8 to 16 seat buses require the bus driver to park at the South Terminal. This means that passengers arriving at the North Terminal and using a minibus transfer need to accompany the driver from the arrivals hall at Gatwick North Terminal onto the free monorail connection to the South Terminal then onto the parking area. This journey typically takes 10 minutes.
It is possible for the bus to drive over to the North Terminal after you have arrived and met the driver and pick passengers up from in front of the North Terminal. The airport authorities currently charge £14 for this facility.
If you require this facility please state this on ordering and ensure it is printed on your confirmation.
This is only for minibus transfers for 8 to 16 passengers and only for transfers which involve meet and greet at Gatwick North Terminal arrivals. It doesn't apply to South Terminal arrivals or transfers dropping off passengers at either of Gatwick's terminals.
Car transfers are able to use the car park at the North Terminal and larger coach transfers have to use the pickup facility and all charges are included in the transfer fee for these.
Private Transfer Quotation / Enquiry Form
Note Enquiries About Public Transport Will Not Be Answered
This Enquiry Form Is Just For Taxi, Limo and Minibus and Coach Charters