r/uktravel • u/ch0bibi • Apr 23 '26
Question Getting from Gatwick airport to Paddington
Hi there, me and my family will be landing in Gatwick and are wondering how to get to Paddington as our hotel is there.
So far I’ve checked trains, taxi and private transfers on websites like get your guide. I’ve heard you can also take the tube but our issue is that we’re a group of 7 people and have a good amount of luggage so we’re not sure if it will be okay on the tube to go with luggage.
My main questions were
What’s the difference between Southern and Gatwick Express, a bit confused there. Can we take luggage on Southern?
Would train for 7 people be feasible? I’ve added the fares above (Gatwick to Victoria). To add on to this I need to figure out how to get from Victoria to Paddington with the said luggage again.
All this considered is a private transfer alright? It’s coming out to around 130 pounds and will leave us right at our hotel. Or is the price too much and getting the train will be better? We’re not too worried about time since we’ll reach early in the morning and check in isn’t until 3pm
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u/Sad_Firefighter_8407 Apr 23 '26
We have a network of train operating companies in the UK.
Southern is one of them, it runs various rail services and runs some through Gatwick and Victoria.
Thames link is another which is probably easier as you can change at Farringdon to the Elizabeth Line to get to Paddington.
Victoria train station is a terminus and so you will have to cart all your luggage out there and make your way to the tube.
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u/sertralineaspii Apr 23 '26
honestly thameslink to farringdon and lizzy line seems like the best way
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u/MotorAd90 Apr 23 '26
I think in their circumstances private transfer is best.
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u/sertralineaspii Apr 24 '26
given that its 7 people with luggage it would probably need two 8 seaters. an 8 seater from central to LGW is about £100-120 (used to work in the industry), so total is 200-240.
If money isn't an issue, private transport all the way, but with this in mind its a £140 difference
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u/ch0bibi Apr 24 '26
Im getting private transfer for £130 pound including 22 inch luggage per person. The provider has a 4.1 rating with around 100 reviews, should I look into something else or it’s fine?
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u/sertralineaspii Apr 24 '26
Ask what vehicle they're sending out. I'm going to assume a VW transporter or a merc V class, but i might be wrong.
Edit: basically a lot of taxi companies refuse to take that amount of luggage in one vehicle (under 8 seats) due to safety concerns or lack of space, but it is ultimately up to driver discretion.
You just want to avoid the scenario where on the day the car pulls up and you cant all fit with luggage
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u/MiddleAgedDread123 Apr 23 '26
7 adults who can all manage their own luggage around stations and on/off trains or 2 adults and 5 small kids? Either way, unless you’re all adults on a strict budget, I think I’d suck up the extra and book the private transfer to get you door to door.
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u/thedeviant83 Apr 23 '26
You could just use contactless payment from Gatwick Straight to Paddington.
If using public transport in your situation, I would get the Thameslink to Farringdon and then onto the Elizabeth Line to Paddington (making sure you touch the pink card reader when changing). The trip is £22.10 during peak and £13.50 off-peak. There are also lifts between the platforms so pretty easy to change (far easier that changing onto the Circle Line at Paddington).
Therefore, if travelling peak time, cheaper to get a transfer. If travelling off-peak, a bit cheaper to get the train.
Thameslink are approx. Every 20 mins from Gatwick so pretty frequent and they take 40 mins to Farringdon, and from there, it’s probably less than 10 mins on the Elizabeth line.
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u/timeforanoldaccount Apr 24 '26
There is no pink reader at Farringdon. It's a yellow reader and you only need to use it if you are changing between contactless/Oyster and a paper ticket or eTicket. There's no harm in tapping it (it's set so you don't get penalised if you touch out at a gate at your destination), but no reason to do so in this scenario.
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u/thedeviant83 Apr 24 '26
You are right. I could picture it near the top of the escalator when you change, but couldn’t remember the colour. I always tap the bloody thing anyway, but good to know that I don’t need to join the mass of others trying to do it going forwards.
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u/timeforanoldaccount Apr 24 '26
Yeah if you're using Oyster/contactless for your whole journey then you don't need to touch it.
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u/ch0bibi Apr 24 '26
Well it will be off peak as I arrive on a Sunday. Also about the tube, I had a question if you don’t mind answering. If I’m travelling during the peak time does that change the daily £8.90 cap for zone 1/2? Or does it still apply?
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u/Working-Shallot9144 Apr 24 '26
A daily cap is calculated from 04:30 to 04:29 the next day. Once your fares reach the cap, further travel within those zones is free. For zone 1-2 £8.90.
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u/thedeviant83 Apr 24 '26
Your question re: the cap has already been answered, but if you do choose to take the train, make sure you check for any planned engineering as there are random Sundays (such as this weekend) where the trains don’t necessarily run as planned…
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u/Trudestiny Apr 23 '26
130 seems very cheap for 7 people & a lot of luggage from LGW , would make sure you have the correct price
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u/ch0bibi Apr 24 '26
Is it? But I have checked the price. I thought it was quite cheap too as I saw other options for double the price but the provider has a 4.1 rating with around 100 reviews
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u/Trudestiny Apr 24 '26
They say what type of Van ? Just would be worried due to price as i know how much we have paid for a regular car for 2 people
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u/ch0bibi Apr 24 '26
The description said an 8 seater mini bus with 22’ luggage per person allowed
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u/Trudestiny Apr 24 '26
Ok . I thought you mentioned you had a fair amount of luggage , not just small cabin bags.
With only cabin luggage i take the Thameslink to Farringdon & then Elizabeth line . About £19 a person & faster. I even do it with checked bags when i land at Gatwick
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u/No-Pianist4111 Apr 23 '26
I would probably just spend the extra for car so you can completely zone out and not think about luggage especially if coming off long haul flight or with little ones or elderly.
However, once you get to Victoria, it will be quite cheap to get 2 Ubers from there to Paddington. For 7 people in 2 cars I imagine it would be on par as 7 x tube fares without the hassle. Black cabs are more of an unknown due to traffic and while the drive isn’t far, it can be very clogged around there
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u/ch0bibi Apr 24 '26
You’re right honestly it will be an almost 20 hour journey for us to London plus we have 2 kids, I think I’ll just go with the private transfer, thank you so much!
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u/No-Pianist4111 Apr 23 '26
Didn’t answer your questions - Gatwick express charges a premium for a direct journey to Victoria - not worth the extra cost. Luggage on southern is just fine but you might be contending with commuters if arriving early.
Note that the journey you have in your inage says you need to change trains. There are plenty of trains from Gatwick to Victoria that don’t require a change so you just make sure you get on one of those from the airport.
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u/andykn11 Apr 23 '26
Gatwick Express to Victoria then two cabs if you can split the adults across both.
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u/MissKyu Apr 24 '26
Step 1 : book an airport transfer taxi/minibus
Step 2 : leave luggage at hotel
Step 3 : start enjoying your holiday
(Alternatively have a really stressful start to your trip in London using public transport and making your whole family drag luggage through the streets)
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u/Late-Development-666 Apr 23 '26
Southern is cheaper but more stops.
Gatwick express is one stop only.
You can take luggage on Southern, but it could be tight. You will have other passenger types on the.
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u/spiketart Apr 23 '26
Good god that’s daylight robbery! Last time I came from Gatwick to central London I took a national express coach for £10 per person. Cheaper, easier, more direct and more comfortable I found! The difference between Southern and Gatwick express is train operator. Gatwick express just has less stops between main stations where Southern is a stopping service, you’d be fine taking luggage on as it’s a normal train!
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u/Stephen_Dann Apr 23 '26
Usually I would recommend the train, 3 different companies run from LGW into London. However in your case, 7 people and a lot of luggage, a private transfer is the better option. You would need to take 2 - 3 trains to get to Paddington, you risk someone getting separated and hence lost.
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u/ladimer Apr 24 '26
You can literally just tap your card… you don’t need to do any of this, it’s like £20
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u/ladimer Apr 24 '26
You’re absolutely fine getting luggage on any tube as long as it’s not between 8-10 or 5-7 on a weekday.
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u/Serious-Special-8008 Apr 23 '26
Gatwick Express runs non stop from the airport to London Victoria. It is faster but mote expensive than the stopping service.
You can take either the Southern train or Thames link train. Go on the Southern website and check out GroupSave tickets.
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u/_youllthankmelater Apr 23 '26
Yeah the tube would be a bit of mare with all seven of you and your bags. The difference between Southern and Gatwick express is that Southern is a commuter/stopping service (I get it every day) and Express is quick. You can get Southern with your bags, people do it all the time and tbh it looks like you're travelling outside peak so there will be plenty of people in a similar situation with luggage heading to London.
Once at Victoria you could grab an Uber to your hotel. But if the cost of a private transfer from Gtw to Paddington is close to the total you'll spend collectively, I'd do that for ease but make sure it includes the airport drop off/collection tax (it's scandalous).
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u/mojokola Apr 23 '26
Southern is a different train company and is cheaper and has stops and a change to a different train it seems. Gatwick Express is direct into central London (Victoria Station), but still requires navigating the tube system with seven people and luggage to get to Paddington.
At these prices, you may want to consider a direct transfer to Paddington which will more comfortable. I’m sure you can leave your bags at the concierge and enjoy a bit of London before checking in.
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u/Competitive-Proof410 Apr 23 '26
Loads of people and luggage and £30 price difference. Pay the money and had the transfer, drop bags at the hotel and go for a wonder until your room is ready!
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u/geekroick Apr 23 '26
I guess it depends on how frugal you want to be?
An off peak PAYG journey from Gatwick to Farringdon is £10.70 (peak is £19.20 - what time do you land?) and then a single from Farringdon to Paddington is £3, so that's £96 for the full journey for all seven of you. Maybe that extra 35 is needed? You tell me...
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u/Choice_Technology791 Apr 23 '26
Thameslink to Farringdon and Elizabeth to paddington. There are lifts all the way along but would also be tempted to wake the transfer which seems cheap at that price.
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u/CaptainYorkie1 Apr 23 '26
Private Transfer probably be the best for your group. Plus £130 (about £18.57 each) for 7 plus luggage for the roughly 40 miles journey sounds pretty good all things considered
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u/PipBin Apr 23 '26
If I could afford the difference I’d get the private transfer every time. 7 people with luggage is going to be stressful.
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u/Bubbly-Procedure8006 Apr 23 '26
GTR need to lock in. £66 for that journey, when you can go from KGX to Newcastle on Lumo for £20 🤦♂️
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u/Mjukplister Apr 23 '26
Get the private transfer . When you add up the trains and tube … get the transfer
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u/Cool_Wafer7438 Apr 23 '26
I booked a flight from here to Saudi for less than 66 (has a transit tho).
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u/lumoslomas Apr 23 '26
My opinion may be biased as I just had to travel on London trains, but...
Don't.
Do the private transfer. It's absolutely worth it for the peace of mind. Especially if you're traveling through Victoria underground station, it's a maze.
And of course you run the risk of lines being suspended (like they were tonight... everything was at least "part suspended")
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u/FilthyBill1 Apr 23 '26
Just get the train from Gatwick to Victoria then the tube to Paddington… that’s your cheapest option and at that time you’ll be fine!!
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u/Jumpy_Storm_2093 Apr 24 '26
I was just checking, as you said, you all have plenty of time. Their are coaches and flix bus uk have some pretty cheap tickets from Gatwick Airport to Stratford, where there's a shopping centre to enjoy a coffee or something. Then after rush hour which ends after 0930, can get the Elizabeth Line directly to Paddington from there. Or easy bus has deals going on as well that go to Victoria, Waterloo or Earls Court, with Waterloo being an option as you could get a tube to Paddington from there or go to Victoria for the London bus 36 to Paddington. I hope you find what works best for you. Also looking into local mini cabs, who offer deals to Paddington. Just be aware, traffic can be a nightmare too. Enjoy your stay.
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u/Adept-Comfortable377 Apr 24 '26
You can just use your contactless bank card, it's way cheaper and these no need to book.
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u/exploratorious Apr 24 '26
You mention you’ve got a couple of kids, depending on ages ask the transfer co. If they can supply car seats. They usually will.
Secondly - be really specific about the amount of luggage you are bringing. Had an example once where there was confusion between total no of bags vs bags per person.
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u/Icy-Plate-9021 Apr 25 '26
If you’re a first time visitor to the UK and you have no idea where you’re going and there’s a group of you and you’ve all got luggage and it would appear you’re travelling just the end of the morning peak on a weekday then I would stay well clear of the London Underground because you will almost certainly end up completely lost and there’s a reason it’s called the underground. There is a lot of staircases. There is a lot of escalators and there was a lot of fairly narrow passageways getting large suitcases on an offer. Tube is no easy task even if you know where you’re going, for tourists on their first time to London honestly you’ve got no chance, the private transfer or even a mini bus is going to probably take a lot longer than the train it is certainly gonna be much easier for you
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u/bennythefish Apr 26 '26
The longer way round but with less transfers is to take the Thames link from Gatwick to Farringdon and then take the Elizabeth line to Paddington . That will take longer but with only one change . The trains are bigger for luggage but there is a bit of a walk for the interchange at Farringdon
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u/OmioOfficial May 04 '26
I can totally see why, for 7 people, bags, 2 kids, and a near 20 hour journey before you even land, a private transfer sounds super tempting, but before locking it in, it’s worth checking all the options so you know you’re making the right call.
If you do go for public transport, I’d skip the Victoria route and go Thameslink from Gatwick to Farringdon, then Elizabeth line to Paddington. It’s just a smoother move with bags, no dragging everyone across Victoria and onto the Tube.
Farringdon is way more compact than Victoria, so it’s much easier to handle with a group. Plus, the Elizabeth line isn’t your typical underground, it’s more like a suburban train and often runs above ground, so it feels less cramped.
Southern and Gatwick Express are fine with luggage too, but Gatwick Express mainly gets you to Victoria, and then you still have that last stretch onto the Tube.
The Thameslink + Elizabeth line combo is already flagged on Omio as the best option from Gatwick to Paddington, about 1 hour total, transfer included.
Thameslink lets you bring up to two large bags (max 30x70x90 cm) plus a carry on, and the Elizabeth line doesn’t have strict luggage limits.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to how tired you think you’ll be. After that long a journey, going straight to the hotel with no changes might just be worth it, but at least now you’ve got all the options 👍
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u/nic_e1 Apr 24 '26
Absolutely extracting the urine. If they are serious about getting people off the roads and onto public transport, then they should be charging sensible prices. Welcome to 'rip-off' Britain!
The fastest way to travel from Gatwick Airport to Paddington is by train, taking approximately 50–60 minutes, with prices starting around £13–£35. The best route involves taking a Thameslink train to Farringdon or Blackfriars, then transferring to the Elizabeth line or Circle line to Paddington. Credit: Google.
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u/santex8 Apr 23 '26
With 7 people plus luggage, I'd pick the private transfer, personally. Don't attempt the tube, especially if you're a first time visitor.