Cambridge to Gatwick: Thameslink or Gatwick Express?

[GregorD]

My wife, our infant daughter, some luggage and I will be travelling from Cambridge to Gatwick Airport on 14th December for a 10.30 flight, and I wondered whether anyone might be able to suggest the best route.

Getting to London seems straightforward: the 05.45 Cambridge - King's Cross arrives at 06.38. From there I would like to walk across to St Pancras and take the 06.58 Thameslink service to Gatwick, rather than take the Tube to Victoria for the Gatwick Express with baby and suitcase in tow. I worry, however, that the Thameslink service might be overcrowded, which would probably make it worse on balance. Seating (supposing we could get it!) is also a consideration, in that 2+2 airline-style would be preferable to 3+2 facing, and I don't know what we'd be likely to get on which service.

I would be grateful for any opinions of the merits of these (or other?) routes. Thank you in advance!

 

[Prairie_5542]

My wife, our infant daughter, some luggage and I will be travelling from Cambridge to Gatwick Airport on 14th December for a 10.30 flight, and I wondered whether anyone might be able to suggest the best route.

Getting to London seems straightforward: the 05.45 Cambridge - King's Cross arrives at 06.38. From there I would like to walk across to St Pancras and take the 06.58 Thameslink service to Gatwick, rather than take the Tube to Victoria for the Gatwick Express with baby and suitcase in tow. I worry, however, that the Thameslink service might be overcrowded, which would probably make it worse on balance. Seating (supposing we could get it!) is also a consideration, in that 2+2 airline-style would be preferable to 3+2 facing, and I don't know what we'd be likely to get on which service.

I would be grateful for any opinions of the merits of these (or other?) routes. Thank you in advance!

If I were in your situation, this is what I would do- Train Cambridge to Kings Cross, then walk to St Pancras, which is right next door for the Thameslink service to Gatwick. This way you have less changing and messing about to do with a young baby amd luggage.

 

[philjo]

You would be better off going via St Pancras.
There is lift access to the Thameslink platforms at St Pancras. (If you decide to go via Victora there are no lifts from the Victoria line platforms at Victoria so you would have to use the escalators)

A lot of passengers will get off the Thameslink train at St Pancras and most of the rest will do so at Farrringdon/City Thameslink so you shouldn't have to stand for more than a few minutes (though I have always got a seat when boarding southbound at St Pancras in the morning peak)

 

[Bald Rick]

Definitely go via Thameslink

The 0658 off St Pancras is busy-ish, but not that bad, especially on a Friday. There will be seats available from St Pancras, and from London Bridge you are certain to get a bay of 4 together, if not earlier.

The alternative of the Vic line guarantees standing and an uncomfortable trip up the escalators and steps at Victoria.

 

[thelem]

Thameslink uses two different classes of train - the newer class 377 and the older class 319. Someone else might be able to tell you which type of train this service will be.

If it's a 319, then it will likely be 3+2 seating without tables throughout, although there are a small number that have 2+2 seating without tables. Most of these trains have luggage racks next to the doors in all carriages.

It it's a 377, then the train will be made up of two or three 4-coach units, each of which will have 2+2 seating with tables in the end coaches and 3+2 seating without tables in the middle coaches, so on an 8 coach train the tables will be in coaches 1, 4, 5 and 8. Luggage racks are located next to the doors in the carriages with 3+2 seating.

 

[GoByThameslink]

It it's a 377, then the train will be made up of two or three 4-coach units, each of which will have 2+2 seating with tables in the end coaches and 3+2 seating without tables in the middle coaches, so on an 8 coach train the tables will be in coaches 1, 4, 5 and 8. Luggage racks are located next to the doors in the carriages with 3+2 seating.

It is an eight carriage 377; as others have said, a lot of people get of at St Pancras so getting a seat won't be a problem. Stay near the stairs on the Platform, as more get off that part of the train.

 

[paul1609]

If I were in your situation, this is what I would do- Train Cambridge to Kings Cross, then walk to St Pancras, which is right next door for the Thameslink service to Gatwick. This way you have less changing and messing about to do with a young baby amd luggage.

In my view if your arriving at Kings Cross St Pancras the best plan is to get Thameslink if you are travelling to Gatwick Airport, London Bridge (and intermediate stations to), East Croydon Three Bridges or a Loop Station. Anywhere else you are much better off getting the Underground to the relevant Terminal.

 

[GregorD]

Many thanks for all the replies. Thameslink it is, then. Much appreciated!

 

[NSE]

The rolling stock is nicer on the Gatwick express (well better than the 319s, as you know I love the 377 :P ) and the Victoria line is reliable, but with a kid and luggage, I'd go for St P. if you do want a nicer train though

 

[Searle]

both the Victoria line and Thameslink will be as busy as each other, I'd agree with most people and go Thameslink, unless it's delayed, I'd check just before you get into King's Cross just to check both Thameslink and the underground for safety!

 

[wessex]

Let me know day and time, and I will check which traction it will be.

 

[Searle]

Let me know day and time, and I will check which traction it will be.

I will be travelling from Cambridge to Gatwick Airport on 14th December

From there I would like to walk across to St Pancras and take the 06.58 Thameslink service to Gatwick

there

 

[thelem]

there

And not much later

It is an eight carriage 377

 

[Searle]

And not much later

I know that was said, but I was just providing the details that wessex asked for :P