Are you one of the ever growing group of people who love traveling to new destinations, worldwide? In this world, a huge number of people love to visit new and unusual destinations for their vacations or for short weekend breaks.
But flying to a chosen holiday destination is only one part of the travel puzzle. There are many other considerations and arrangements to be made including accommodation, money, vaccinations, insurance, packing and much more. One aspect which is often overlooked, and which can be costly, is how to travel to and from the airport?
Gatwick airport is a favoured airport for many travelers heading off to sunnier destinations. It is easily accessed by road and rail from all directions. But what is the most convenient mode of transport to use?
Taxi
Taxi’s or minicabs provide a very convenient way to travel both to and from Gatwick airport. The cab will pick you and your luggage up from your home and drop your right at the correct terminal door. On your way home you can pre-book a taxi to coincide with your flight arrival so that the cab is waiting for you when you exit the arrivals lounge.
But one of the main negative aspects of taxi’s is the cost. If you are travelling alone and your home is considerable distance from Gatwick airport then the cost is likely to be very high. But if you are travelling in a small group or with your family then the cost may be justifiable due to the convenience.
Bus or Coach
There are now some excellent bus and coach services to and from Gatwich airport. And coach travel these days is very comfortable indeed with high quality air conditioned coaches driven by highly skilled professionals. But one of the main negative aspects of coach or bus travel to Gatwick airport is the proximity of a bus or coach station near your home. If you have to travel miles to board the bus then this is not very convenient when you are lugging your travel luggage or traveling with children.
But one of the big advantages of bus and coach travel is the cost. Bus and coach fares provide one of the cheapest ways to travel to and from Gatwick airport.
Train
Trains to and from Gatwick airport are frequent and very fast. The new Gatwick express service from London’s Victoria station will get you to and from the airport in no time at all. But train travel, when you have a lot of luggage or when you are traveling with young children, is not very convenient.
Drive Yourself
An option which has grown in popularity as Gatwick parking facilities have improved and prices have fallen is driving your own car to the airport and leaving it in a secure car parking facility.
Driving yourself provides many advantages over other methods. You are in complete control of your transport so you can leave your home at a time that is convenient to you and your travel companions. You are not forced to carry your luggage onto trains or coaches and you are not tied to bus or train timetables.
On your return journey you know that your car will be waiting for you and most airport parking services will retrieve your car from their car parking facility within minutes. So if your flight is delay or if it takes some time for your bags to be returned then you have no problems with train or bus timetables.
And importantly the cost of parking at Gatwick airport is very affordable as it has become increasingly competitive. This has forced the various parking providers to offer increasingly high quality, secure parking facilities which travelers desire at costs which they can afford. So you can find that it is cheaper to drive your own car to Gatwick, park it at the airport and pick it up on your return than it would be to book a return taxi ride.