[star_gaze]

Hey, can someone outline the most convenient way to get from Gatwick to Leeds - especially luggage friendly. Is a bus or a train safer? Are they both safe? Availability of interior flights to leeds - how expensive/cheap are they? How much luggage can you take on an interior flight?

[InsaneFandom]

I live in London& usually fly from Gatwick, though I've never travelled from there to Leeds. I have travelled to other parts of the country by train & coach from London though, so I'll see if I can help..

First off- both are safe, don't worry Just be careful with your things.
Cheapest option will be by coach, you should be able to get a coach or train direct from gatwick to Leeds, if not it shouldn't be difficult to get to a station in London where you can go from.

Coach should take around 4 1/2 hours & you can get one way tickets from as low as £5 per person. They have toilets onboard and are pretty comfortable I'd say. I think the official luggage limit is one bag carry on (though I've always found the drivers let you on with more- often I have my laptop case & 2 bags on with me) plus either one large case or two medium cases per person.

Train should take around 2 1/2 hours, but it'll cost you atleast £20 or £30 a person (if you prebook tickets- buying them on the day will almost definitly be much more!). As far as I'm aware, you can take on as much luggage as you can carry really- officially you're allowed 2 cases & a bag I think but I've never been checked by anyone. The trains have toilets and most have a food stall/cart.


TBH I wouldn't go for an interior flight. It'll almost certainly cost a fair bit more and probably take longer what with checking in & waiting to collect luggage etc. Luggage limit is the same as it would be for international flight, & it's generally a bit more restricted then coaches and trains and you have to pay extra if your case is over a certain weight.

Check out nationalexpress for more info on coaches & nationalrail for trains, remember to check prices online to see if you can get cheaper train tickets though if you decide to go by rail.

[Muffinz]

If you have a lot of luggage, I wouldn't take the train - I panic getting off in time before the train starts again with all my luggage and I normally only take a suitcase, a laptop bag and a rucksack! The coaches are very safe and a flight to Leeds from Gatwick shouldn't be dear.

[longey]

I might be wrong but I don't think there are any direct flights from Gatwick to Leeds.

Coach is the easiest and should be the cheapest. There are some direct services but they stop a few times so the journey time could be about 6-7 hours. They are pretty comfortable though, and even if you have to change (and it will only be once, probably at Victoria, London) it is very easy as you just change to a different coach in the same coach station, unlike if you take the train where you get off at Victoria/London, then have to make your way (either by taxi or underground train) to King Cross London for the train to Leeds. Check this site for coach tickets:
www.nationalexpress.com

[accomoffice]

(Original post by star_gaze)
Hey, can someone outline the most convenient way to get from Gatwick to Leeds - especially luggage friendly. Is a bus or a train safer? Are they both safe? Availability of interior flights to leeds - how expensive/cheap are they? How much luggage can you take on an interior flight?

Agree with everyone else - coach is definitely better if you've got luggage. There are a few a day direct to Leeds, so no changing at Victoria. It does take quite a long time but it's completely hassle free and loads cheaper.
No flights from Leeds to London at the moment but there's one starting up in the autumn.

[soeganco]

How much time do we get to get off our things from the train, before it starts to move again?

Im flying in from asia, and after sitting for 15+ hours on a plane, i dont think sitting another 5+ hrs on a coach is a good idea lol

[accomoffice]

(Original post by soeganco)
How much time do we get to get off our things from the train, before it starts to move again?

Im flying in from asia, and after sitting for 15+ hours on a plane, i dont think sitting another 5+ hrs on a coach is a good idea lol

Most people get the Gatwick Express to Victoria which terminates there so no problem. You then have to get the underground from Victoria to Kings X - straight up on the Victoria line so no changes but the underground with luggage is just a nightmare. Then the Leeds train starts at Kings X so no problem with getting your luggage on. And the trains often finish at Leeds.
My top tip (if you're ignoring my ultimate top tip to get the coach) is to ignore the Gatwick Express (which is ruinously expensive) and get a train from Gatwick to St. Pancras. It's a bit slower but not horribly so. St. Pancras is right next door to Kings X (they share underground stations) so you then just stroll across the road stress-free
You do have to search a bit online to find those trains though - if you book through thetrainline, it always wants to book you on the Gatwick Express but I promise they do exist.

[soeganco]

(Original post by accomoffice)
Most people get the Gatwick Express to Victoria which terminates there so no problem. You then have to get the underground from Victoria to Kings X - straight up on the Victoria line so no changes but the underground with luggage is just a nightmare. Then the Leeds train starts at Kings X so no problem with getting your luggage on. And the trains often finish at Leeds.
My top tip (if you're ignoring my ultimate top tip to get the coach) is to ignore the Gatwick Express (which is ruinously expensive) and get a train from Gatwick to St. Pancras. It's a bit slower but not horribly so. St. Pancras is right next door to Kings X (they share underground stations) so you then just stroll across the road stress-free
You do have to search a bit online to find those trains though - if you book through thetrainline, it always wants to book you on the Gatwick Express but I promise they do exist.

Wow thanks very much for the second top tip! Lol

And one more thing, how about if I arrive in the UK in Heathrow? What are my options to get to Leeds?

[accomoffice]

(Original post by soeganco)
Wow thanks very much for the second top tip! Lol

And one more thing, how about if I arrive in the UK in Heathrow? What are my options to get to Leeds?

Coach again or Piccadilly line (underground) to Kings X then train.

[Isaaru13]

As most people have said coach really is the best option. There is a luggage restriction, but this gets ignored, however it is the least stress free, cheapest and most relaxing way to travel. I find that if I have to get the train and I have a lot of luggage it is a very stressful experience. This is mostly because I like to be near my luggage and the only way I can be near my suitcase is by sitting near the storage units. The seats near the storage units tend to be rare (especially if you are getting a London train) and they are also highly uncomfortable. If you do decide to get the train though make sure you put locks on your suitcase. Top tip for whatever mode of transport you decide upon is to book early, as soon as you know your flight times ect book your tickets for the train or coach. They are so much cheaper for long journeys if they are prebought

Good luck!

[Mother2]

Definitely a coach, whether from Heathrow or Gatwick. Getting into and across London on a train/tube is an absolute nightmare. You can just load your things onto a bus and relax/sleep/read while you're travelling. There are stops if you want to stretch your legs, but you'll have time to do that in the airport after the flight lands. You can buy some food there too for the journey.

Once in Leeds you can just get a cab to your accommodation. Most public transport is very safe with the possible exception of late night travel - but a coach is safe even late at night.

Edit - I just checked out the coaches and it looks as if you will have to change at London Victoria if travelling from Gatwick. Some from Heathrow are straight through.

[accomoffice]

(Original post by Mother2)
I just checked out the coaches and it looks as if you will have to change at London Victoria if travelling from Gatwick. Some from Heathrow are straight through.

Are you sure? I definitely got one that went to Gatwick (after it had called at Heathrow) last Xmas (although I appreciate things can change in 6 months). It's a bit of a round-about route though - goes via East Midlands airport and Coventry rather than straight up the M1 like the Victoria ones do.

Edit: just checked and it looks like there's just 3 a day; one at 6.30, one at 10.15 and one at 22.20. Any other times and as Mother2 said, you'd need to change at Victoria (still better than having to get the tube, imho)

[star_gaze]

The 5 hour bus ride is a bit daunting, I was told to check out trains to Leeds from St. Pancras station - I will be holding 2 pieces of luggage, normal size. I do not mind walking down stairs with them, but what worries me about rail travel are these - is it easy to lose your luggage due to theft? can you take your luggage to your seat with you or will it be in a separate car? how long do you have to get your luggage and get out at stops? Thanks, bye.

[accomoffice]

(Original post by star_gaze)
The 5 hour bus ride is a bit daunting, I was told to check out trains to Leeds from St. Pancras station - I will be holding 2 pieces of luggage, normal size. I do not mind walking down stairs with them, but what worries me about rail travel are these - is it easy to lose your luggage due to theft? can you take your luggage to your seat with you or will it be in a separate car? how long do you have to get your luggage and get out at stops? Thanks, bye.

Usually there are luggage racks at the end of every carriage. There's also some space on overhead racks (usually only enough for a coat and a laptop bag or something of similar size) On some trains there's also space between the backs of the seats but again, only a smallish bag would fit there.
I've never known luggage go missing from a train so, although it's reassuring if you're in a seat where you can see the luggage rack, I don't think there's a very high risk. I think most thieves wouldn't be prepared to try to steal a big suitcase which is probably of fairly low value compared to its size. And especially as they probably wouldn't know who it belongs to, so it might be someone who can see them do it. But make sure you keep your laptop bag with you and anything else that's a similar size/value ratio.
You get enough time at stops - the Leeds train from Kings X will nearly always stop at Wakefield before Leeds. Its then 15 minutes to Leeds and the train will start to slow down as it approaches Leeds station. Anyway, a lot of the trains actually terminate at Leeds. I've only gone from Gatwick to St. Pancras once - my feelings are that the trains don't terminate at St. Pancras but I don't remember it being a huge rush to get my stuff off. They probably do an announcement on the train as it approaches but don't rely on this. The train will probably stop at either London Bridge or Blackfriars station which are both just the other side of the river and you probably have just over 5 minutes from then.
But it really won't be a problem

I would still recommend the coach though - despite it's 5 (or possibly even more) hours.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by star_gaze)
The 5 hour bus ride is a bit daunting, I was told to check out trains to Leeds from St. Pancras station - I will be holding 2 pieces of luggage, normal size. I do not mind walking down stairs with them, but what worries me about rail travel are these - is it easy to lose your luggage due to theft? can you take your luggage to your seat with you or will it be in a separate car? how long do you have to get your luggage and get out at stops? Thanks, bye.

Hi.

I'm the same as you. I'm off to Leeds and wondering how to get there. I get what others are saying about getting a coach but I tend to get car sick or coach sick and if it is five hours plus...not good. Plus I like taking the train.

Depending on the day and travel info (e.g. delays) I will be able to take a train directly from a station which isn't too far away from where I live. Then I will travel from there to Leeds station. Try booking your ticket online and in advance, it's cheaper. Plus, if you have a railcard and you are buying your ticket online, your ticket will be cheaper

[star_gaze]

Ok Maybe the flight plan was a horrible idea, I think I'll try the bus. Hope I get a refund. Thanks for the heads up everyone.

[lovers in japan]

(Original post by star_gaze)
The 5 hour bus ride is a bit daunting, I was told to check out trains to Leeds from St. Pancras station - I will be holding 2 pieces of luggage, normal size. I do not mind walking down stairs with them, but what worries me about rail travel are these - is it easy to lose your luggage due to theft? can you take your luggage to your seat with you or will it be in a separate car? how long do you have to get your luggage and get out at stops? Thanks, bye.

If you do decide to get the train (which is much quicker), at the end of each carriage, usually at both ends, are luggage racks. I usually reserve a seat right next to them, so I can check on my luggage. There won't be stairs, there will be lifts/escalators, it's safe enough as train travel is quite expensive, and you have to have a ticket to get onto the train (usually) so there won't just be random people.

Also, Leeds is a main stop, so they announce when you are arriving at the station, then people will stand in the aisle near the door. Then when the train stops, everyone politely takes their luggage and disembarks. You have about 5 minutes, however the people getting off do so before people get on the train, so they won't leave if no-one has had a chance to get on yet! Don't worry about timing.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by lovers in japan)
If you do decide to get the train (which is much quicker), at the end of each carriage, usually at both ends, are luggage racks. I usually reserve a seat right next to them, so I can check on my luggage. There won't be stairs, there will be lifts/escalators, it's safe enough as train travel is quite expensive, and you have to have a ticket to get onto the train (usually) so there won't just be random people.

Also, Leeds is a main stop, so they announce when you are arriving at the station, then people will stand in the aisle near the door. Then when the train stops, everyone politely takes their luggage and disembarks. You have about 5 minutes, however the people getting off do so before people get on the train, so they won't leave if no-one has had a chance to get on yet! Don't worry about timing.

On Saturday 15th September (when most people will come) can I come at anytime? Or do I have to book arrival slots first?

I need to know ASAP because I need to book my train ticket soon.

[lovers in japan]

(Original post by Dee Leigh)
On Saturday 15th September (when most people will come) can I come at anytime? Or do I have to book arrival slots first?

I need to know ASAP because I need to book my train ticket soon.

For your halls? Contact them if you know which one it is, as I remember back in 2008 I had to have a certain time slot chosen, to ensure not everyone arrived en masse.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by lovers in japan)
For your halls? Contact them if you know which one it is, as I remember back in 2008 I had to have a certain time slot chosen, to ensure not everyone arrived en masse.

ok thanks