Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1158 times:
I was thinking of a quick trip to London. Arriving into LHR on UAL. Which airport is closer, Stansted or Gatwick? And what airline would you choose? Ryanair or Easy jet.
What airplanes do each fly, 37's I guess.
Price is close, maybe a $40.00 dollar difference, but when you book on Ryanair and they tell you they strongly recommend travel insurance it throws you off balance a bit.
Any info would be great, but most important, which airline and departure airport.
Shamrock330 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1114 times:
I live in Dublin and often fly to London.The Tube only serves LHR to the best of my knowledge... if you want to go to Stansted or Gatwick you need to get the Stansted or Gatwick express(express trains from the centre of London).My personal preference would be Stansted and Ryanair (buts i would say that seen as im Irish).I just feel that Stansted has a fresher and modern feel to the airport and Ryanair are on average cheaper than Easyjet.I only flew once with Easy and i didnt like the experience.However if you want to fly a 737-300 then your chance is much greater with easyjet (ryanair normally are 737-800) so its really your personal preference at the end of the day.
Backfire From Germany, joined Oct 2006, 0 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1054 times:
Gatwick is faster into London - the Gatwick Express shuttle train takes 30mins and puts you into Victoria Station, which is the best gateway into London (almost immediate access to Westminster, the West End, Oxford Street...).
The Stansted Express takes about 45mins and puts you into Liverpool Street which is in the business district - not much fun unless you're a stockbroker. You can always get off at the earlier Tottenham Hale station, which has access to the Victoria Line on the Tube, but it's another 20mins at least to Central London from there.
Shamrock330 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1047 times:
To be honest the Tube is so convenient that staying anywhere in London is not a problem.I normally stay in Jurys Kensington .Its a direct journey from heathrow on the tube ( i think its the picadilly line the blue line anyway) all the way to south kensignton.It only takes about 40mins and its cheap (£1.50 or u can get an unlimited day ticket for 6euro) I think you have made the right choice about Stansted and Ryanair.If you want info go to www.stansted express.com or .co.uk? im not sure sorry! p.s dont expect anything special in cork airport-its tiny and is under renovations.But its dreadfully close to the city.
Regards
The Victoria Underground train line goes to Tottenham Hale where you can get a train to STN. Don't choose near Liverpool Street station.
Good places on the Victoria line to stay are near Warren Street station (Bloomsbury).
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Would ORK be a bore of a day trip? Is there much to do in ORK? Thought it would be nice to pop up for a day, since airfare is SO cheap. We would be on foot, or if there is a bus, or train to get around. If it isn't worth the trip, we'll stay in London and extra day.
I will look into hotel Jurys Kensington. Thanks again.
Shamrock330 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 992 times:
CORK is well worth the visit.Plus it is now the European city of culture for2005.i would say go 4 it..u have nothing to lose Cheap airfare and great craic.
Ei2ksea From Ireland, joined Jul 2004, 437 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 976 times:
Im currently in Cork in college Ual777contrail, great city although possibly a tiny bit dry of activities (a few cool churches, art galleries, good shopping and a few historical odities). Its very friendly, the Murphys and Beamish is good (them being south Irish stout brands from Cork - Boo to Guinness!). If you come before June, my services as hometown guide are available too (just for a fellow a.net-er!).
Flights wise, Gatwick is easily accessible from Heathrow by bus and takes about 1 and a half hours depending on traffic. This is from the BAA website:
Heathrow - Gatwick
The National Express 700 runs every 15 - 20 minutes from outside Terminals 1, 3 and 4. It takes approximately 70 minutes to Gatwick's North and South Terminals and the cost is £17.00 for an adult and £12.00 for a child each way. After 12:00 the service operates every 30 minutes until 22:30. Tickets can be purchased at the Bus and Coach Information desk located in Terminals 1, 3 and 4 or on the bus, subject to availability. The coaches pick up at arrivals level of Terminals 1, 3 and 4 and set down at departures level. For Terminal 2, coaches pick up and set down at departures level.
National Express coaches (707/ 717/ 727/ 797) operate ½ hourly to Gatwick and the journey takes approximately 70 minutes. Coaches run from the central bus station at Heathrow for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and from outside Terminal 4 arrivals. They set down outside Gatwick North and South Terminals. Adult fares are £17.00 single and £34.00 return and child fares are £7.00 single and £10.00 return. Tickets can be purchased from the Travel Centre at the central bus station or from the Bus and Coach Information Desk on the forecourt of Terminal 4 arrivals.
To pre-book tickets and for exact times ring 08705 808080 (UK only) or visit www.nationalexpress.co.uk
Heathrow - Stansted
National Express coaches (717/ 727/ 797) operate at ½ hour or 1 hour intervals to Stansted. The journey time is 90 minutes. Coaches run from the central bus station for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and from outside Terminal 4 arrivals. They set down outside the terminal at Stansted.
Tickets cost £18.00 single and £24.00 return and can be purchased from the Travel Centre at the central bus station or from the Bus and Coach Information desk on the forecourt of Terminal 4 arrivals. A child's single fare is £9.00 and a child's return fare is £12.00.
To pre-book tickets and for exact times ring 08705 808080 (UK only) or visit www.nationalexpress.co.uk
________________________________________________________________
Finally FYI, Ryanair strongly advise insurance because they sell insurance on their website. I have flown with them many times without a problem. They consistantly have the best ontime performance between the UK and Ireland so nothing to worry about. Just remember that Aer Lingus fly LHR-ORK 3 times daily and when you check their fare, bear in mind the hassle and cost of getting to STN and LGW. I think Easyjet have the best evening flight times for a day return to ORK so for some variety you could do LHR-ORK with EI and ORK-LGW with Easyjet? One way fares on EI are comparable to FR and Easyjet depending on when you book so you could combine the two.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom (England), joined Jan 2001, 16719 posts, RR: 58 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 971 times:
Quoting Ei2ksea (reply 8): I have flown with them many times without a problem.
Quoting Ei2ksea (reply 8): One way fares on EI are comparable to FR and Easyjet depending on when you book so you could combine the two.
I totally agree with both statements.
Don't fall into the trap of assuming that low-cost carriers will ALWAYS be cheaper - they will not.
AeroWesty From United States, joined Oct 2004, 15634 posts, RR: 66 Reply 12, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 891 times:
If Jurys is full or out of your price range, there's another hotel nearby I've stayed at a few times that's a couple of blocks walk from the South Kensington tube stop and Kensington High Street -- The Kensington Close Hotel.
A friend just booked a weekend stay in March there via the Virgin Atlantic website and got a weekend special for about £80 per night after a free night was thrown in.
Crox1 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 291 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (4 years 9 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 639 times:
Ual777Contrail,
Have flown both airlines to Eire, much about the same. Must admit that it seems better flying out of STN, seems less busy, good public transport to the airport, (not biased, honestly, only drive the trains!!).
ORK is close to the city, city itself is rather quite, although found a great local bar, natives are very friendly.
Enjoy yourself
Andy
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (4 years 9 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 603 times:
Quoting 747727 (reply 14): Fly Ryanair they haven't got any airbuses and if you are very lucky you may get a 737-200
737-200's? Oh my, I have had my share of old UAL 737-200's. No more thanks.
I chose Easyjet, and the Airbus fleet doesnt bother me at all. I am staying in a hotel close to Victoria Station, and a quick train ride to LGW made the choice easy. It really was a toss up, and GREAT advice from all. Cant wait to see Ireland!
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