What's the Best Way to Get Between Heathrow and Gatwick? I try the Oxford Bus Company

[@steve-marsh]

Great to see you on a bus Mr Planet! More relatable for me :D

[@MattsPlanet]

Keeping it real mate!!!

[@scopegaming9209]

Love your channel. Also love how you blur out the couple at LHR then show them in full view at LGW, brill.

[@MattsPlanet]

Nobody was still watching by the time we got to Gatwick!!! Thanks for being the exception!

[@ericavianacruz]

Thank you very much i’m travelling from Brazil to Gatwick next week and you vídeo Will help me a lot!

[@MattsPlanet]

Happy to help!

[@Nova-gk1wl]

Worth noting that it's possible to take the train with just one change at Farringdon, using the Elizabeth line and Thameslink. This takes between 1h30 and 1h45 depending on the connections. You can use Oyster or contactless for the entire journey; the fare is £20.50 or £28.90 depending on whether you travel at peak or off-peak times. So, cheaper than the National Express walk-up fare at off-peak times but pricier than the Oxford Bus Co.

[@constructinglondon]

Indeed, curious to why Matt suggested the two trains and a tube route. Both Elizabeth Line and Thameslink are fast and frequent especially as it’s non-stop between London Bridge and East Croydon on its way to Brighton. The worst that could happen is that you miss your train at Farringdon and have to wait for the next one.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks, and thanks to @constructinglondon - I guess I have Heathrow to Paddington (Hex) to Victoria to Gatwick in my mind, or Heathrow to Green Park to VIctoria to Gatters. Which are probably, on paper, the quickest routes, but involve 2 changes. Farringdon is a one stopper, but still takes a lot longer than the bus is scheduled to take

[@crazytrains]

@@MattsPlanet Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then Thameslink to Gatwick involves only 1 change, T5 - Farringdon is 40 minutes and the Farringdon - Gatwick leg can also be done in 40 minutes so with wait time at Farringdon you are looking at 1 hour 30. The change at Farringdon is easy, only requiring 1 lift if you have luggage.

[@paulwhittle6728]

Well hello again Matt, great to see you looking so well. Confession time, back in the day I used to be a Driver on 'The Airline' when I lived in Oxford. There were two very distinct services X70 Oxford - Heathrow Direct (Half Hourly) & the (Hourly) X80 Oxford - Gatwick service direct, I really enjoyed my time driving for them and lovely to watch your review of a relatively recent addition to their service. One really useful and time saving Drivers hack we used to employ on the Gatwick bound route was "Off & On-ing" leaving the M25 at the T4 Junction driving round the roundabout then immediately straight back on again - only to leave again at J13 (A30) drive round the roundabout and straight back on again, keeping left for as long as you could before moving to the right back under the Gatwick signs again, because if you didn't you'd invariably end up on the M3 ending up in Bagshot or Winchester looking like a complete Berk ! This technique doesn't work so well going clockwise however. But it does work at peak hours very well. Give it a try if you're travelling that way again. Regards Paul.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Paul - who knew we'd have a veteran from behind the wheel in our midst!! The roundabout ploy is indeed a good one.... Used it in the States before (off ramps and on ramps rather than roundabouts) but never actually here

[@Substantiate]

Great video Matt! I use this service quite a lot between Oxford itself and the airports. Value is quite decent, £25 to Heathrow and £35 to Gatwick I believe. I agree with you that overall it's quite a decent service, buses are comfortable and the drivers are nice. However, delays are common even out of rush hour - Last month I was at Gatwick and the bus was around 40 minutes late, this was at 2am...

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - there's little any of us can do about the M25 traffic.... And there's been a couple of monster road closures around a new bridge between the M25 and M3 so even at 2am it can be brutal... Still quicker than walking!

[@papa_lima_echo7639]

Whilst I don't want to sound too critical, you seem to infer that coaches aren't public transport, but they are. They are a long distance bus service, which competes with rail in some markets. For instance, I live near Birmingham and the National Express coach takes about the same time as the train, but costs about 1/3 of the price to get to Heathrow and doesn't require changing service.

[@MattsPlanet]

That's a very good point - buses and coaches are certainly public transport! And a very good option buses often are too!

[@JettTyler17]

I've done the National Express between Gatwick and Heathrow multiple times when I've been flying at London Gatwick to/from Bournemouth as the NX205 runs to both Airports. Not had many issues on the travel as I often book in advance and travel either very early or late and I often get a decent power nap in on the journey, its great for me!

[@MattsPlanet]

Good to know

[@joshauteuil4207]

Hi Matt. This is why you're such a good channel to follow. Great video idea because plenty of people face this choice. Our local airport only served by Gatwick so need to do this transfer plenty of times if we're going long haul.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I knew it wouldn't be the best performing video I ever release, but if it helps some people then my work is done!

[@simondlatham5939]

You can also do Heathrow to Gatwick on Flixbus for £12.99 (including booking fee)

[@MattsPlanet]

So it would seem! Next time....

[@timtony7153]

Hi Matt, Thank you for the video, as per usual, you went for row 1!! It must be psychologically drilled into our brains that it has to be the best row, ....loool, dual aspect windows for sightseeing the M25 a bonus! A note on the busses from Heathrow. My wife has an office in reading, living up North, it was a palaver with trains, changes, and endless hrs commuting to get to her office,.....untill we found a buscompany from LHR to reading station! Her office is at the station so now she is in the office in less then 3 Hrs check in @ NCL to office. It just shows that there are very good links between LHR and other cities with busses, just like the link you did in your video. As always, thank you, Regards Thomas

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Thomas. There are indeed all sorts of services from that bus station, many with quite good frequency... I think a few Reading busses went past as I was waiting.

[@peetbothma1500]

Thanks Matt. You have really been evoking some memories with the past few videos😊. Done that bus trip albeit with National Express multiple times on a Sunday morning😂. Never delayed on the good old M25. The Oxford Bus company looks a very good alternative and if I ever I need to make that trip again will certainly give them a go👍🇿🇦

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Peet. Sunday mornings are probably the best time of the week to attempt that transfer!

[@jimmyjames6492]

I'd consider it if ever needing to transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick. Thanks for the info + video!

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Jimmy

[@jimsmith8062]

Back in the day 70's I remember catching the helicopter Airlink between the two...a bit hairy:)

[@MattsPlanet]

I remember reading about that.... Quick and entertaining I believe!

[@ianworthington2324]

I used OBC on this route, and back, recently, just to connect to the southern rail network. Like you said, significantly cheaper than NX, but my experience with their website was frustrating when it came to finding the correct timetables which they manage to hide away in some deep dark corner. The only site I've found worse is Cercanias in Málaga which they actually have geolocked to Spanish IPs only... BTW, you need to make another trip to HEL. The Schengen lounge you reviewed has now been replaced with a new updated and shiny one, now with a Platinum side. Still no sauna though, but unlike the non-schengen it doesn't appear to close early. And it still has storage lockers. I don't think the food options though are quite as good as they used to be.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - the OBC does indeed seem to prioritise its Oxford bus routes on its website!!! But when you find the Airlink section its easy enough.... I didn't really need an excuse to go back to HEL, but the new lounge is certainly a good one!

[@MODECHARLIE]

In the 90s with BA, it was commonplace to transfer on the "Speedlink". BA provided the transfer complimentary if your connecting flight was within 24 hours. If, think it cost £12.

[@MattsPlanet]

It is really daft that BA offers no way of connecting between two flights you may have bought with them on the same ticket!!!

[@ss-xy2im]

You seem to be mastering the theme of "great vid, crap x" 😜

[@MattsPlanet]

Ha ha - I say it as I see it!!

[@anthonywarrener1881]

You could use the Elizabeth line to Farringdon, change there to the Thameslink very frequent service direct to Gatwick !

[@MattsPlanet]

That is probably the best "one change" option

[@charliebrown5]

Thank You ✈️

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I use to live in Oxford and saw those buses a lot although i rarely caught them to the airports but used their 190 Oxford London Victoria,which became the X90 and has stopped now due to the Chiltern Marylebone Oxford rail service,a fair bit.In the 1990's they did jointly with Midland Red(South)a service to Birmingham via Birmingham Airport which i think was an X40 but it wasn't a sucess.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - you'd think airport links would work but I guess not...

[@harryfranklin2112]

There used to be a helicopter service between the airports before the M25 I worked on it for 3years and enjoyed the experience

[@MattsPlanet]

You are quite right - that would have been quite an experience....

[@wessexTim]

Thanks Matt that could well be useful.....Had to go from STN to LGW to rescue the car after a BA cancellation in June so you never know.

[@MattsPlanet]

Stanstead to Liverpool street (only option I think???) That's a bit of a pain....

[@wessexTim]

@@MattsPlanet It was 3am on arrival....bus to Stratford then tube then Victoria and a train....bit early for the Express from STN.

[@MattsPlanet]

@@wessexTim 3am is painful....

[@GG-hi5if]

Also, consider taking GWR from Gatwick to Reading, then taking GWR onward to Oxford. Also, Railair is amazing for those in the catchment area…!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - lots of public transport options when you start digging into options!

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet Gatwick to Oxford via Reading is 2.5 hours I’d say.

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet There is a local bus (£20.50 with a railcard) that takes you from Reading Station to Heathrow T5 / T3/2 in 45-60 minutes as well.

[@tonyracks2956]

great information matt how is your health

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - all good here. Still watching and waiting!

[@ukdavepianoman]

Really useful to know. Seems they run all during the night too. Silly question but looking at their website, I can't see a reverse direction coach i.e. LGW-LHR-Oxford...does this exist?

[@MattsPlanet]

It does. Their website isn't great.... Its T2/3 - T5 - LGW in that direction and LGW-T2/3 - T5 in the other so it's scheduled for 1h 20 (ish) in that direction

[@raymondryman2345]

Off peak contactless to Clapham Junction £2.10 (Tube via Richmond change at Hammersmith if have heavy luggage as there's lifts there) +£8.60 Off Peak Clapham Juction to Gatwick. Will need to touch out and back in Clapham Junction. Total £10.70. Done it loads of time.

[@MattsPlanet]

A few quid cheaper but still 2 changes versus just sitting on a bus the whole way...

[@raymondryman2345]

@@MattsPlanet If one's a tube nerd then the tube's a preferred choice + this route is step free with minimal walking + I can keep an eye on my luggage.

[@paololim3513]

I was thinking another indirect way of not going via Central London is to take a train to Reading then transferring from there to Gatwick.

[@MattsPlanet]

At least one change and probably two from Reading to Gatwick so you're going in the wrong direction to start off with and its a pain to connect through. So not a great idea

[@tonycallen]

The best way to get from Heathrow to Gatwick is fly 1st class Emirates to Dubai, have a few days in a 6 star hotel then fly 1st class or business at a pinch, back to Gatwick..make sure that you get the Gatwick plane or you might end up back at Heathrow which would make the whole exercise just a joke..

[@MattsPlanet]

That indeed is a better way of doing it than the bus!

[@andrews0208]

Taking flixbus between the 2 is cheaper and more reliable for time

[@MattsPlanet]

I'll take a look next time....

[@steveb3]

A personal air vent? Definitely not a coach service with any connection to BA then.

[@MattsPlanet]

Ha ha! IAG has no shares in the OBC, as far as I can tell!!!

[@richardstreet7518]

when flying down from Glasgow and needing yo get to LGW I find city airport easier... DLR then Jubilee line to London Bridge then Rail... easily done in 50 mins.. and no M25 stress.

[@MattsPlanet]

Still 2 changes but neither of them are too strenuous! Thanks

[@richardstreet7518]

@@MattsPlanet Just wish there was an evening BA flight to LGW from GLA!!

[@BenOnPS3]

Another way which is easy is Liz line to Farringdon and then Thameslink link to gatwick

[@MattsPlanet]

Still quite a lot slower but indeed that is one stop....

[@richardstreet7518]

Sometimes booking T5 to Brighton via Gatwick is cheaper 😮 on National Express than just booking T5 to LGW...

[@MattsPlanet]

Interesting - hidden city booking on a bus!

[@d.briantd.briant3144]

Not wanting to brag Matt.... But Emirates Limousine when going 1st.

[@MattsPlanet]

Not bragging at all!!! Good for you - that would certainly be a superior option!

[@andrewstorm8240]

Could BA offer this for buses to Manchester?

[@MattsPlanet]

That would be helpful for customers, so I doubt BA would do it!!!!

[@heyimgeorgeuk]

i’m in heathrow hotel now tonight going to madrid at 6am!!!!!

[@MattsPlanet]

That 6am departure is brutal.... Have a good nap and a better flight!

[@heyimgeorgeuk]

@@MattsPlanet aw tysm!! ✈️

[@heyimgeorgeuk]

@@MattsPlanet i’m taking the walkway -4 cuz u said the train was the covid express xD

[@MattsPlanet]

@@heyimgeorgeuk Great way of waking yourself up!!!

[@heyimgeorgeuk]

@@MattsPlanet yea i’m here now it was good!!!! i feel like u going on planes ✈️

[@SorenPowell-Holse]

I think Elizabeth Line to London Bridge for change to main line train must be faster than risking M25 traffic but might cost more? Haven’t doneLonfon Bridge toGatwick for ages but remember as efficient and almost the same as Gatwick Express from Waterloo

[@MattsPlanet]

Sadly the Lizzie line doesn't go to London Bridge - you'd have to go to Bond Street, Farringdon or TCR and change to get to London Bridge