Before even leaving the UK, I already have some solid tips for anyone who’s about to embark on their big trip:
1. Get the date right
2. Don’t use London public transport to get to Gatwick
1. Get the date right
When my mother and I began planning the airport logistics a few days before the flight, she insisted that I send her a copy of my flight details. It very quickly became apparent that I can’t be trusted to organise my own life as I had the wrong date (20th) when in-fact, departure date was the 16th. The 20th wasn’t a completely random date- I leave Hong Kong for mainland China on the 20th
2. Don’t use London public transport to get to Gatwick
My friend Hollie who works near the Chinese embassy in London kindly collected my Chinese visa and passport mid-week so I didn’t have to make an extra trip to London before my flight. However, this meant that I needed to collect my passport enroute to the airport. It made logistical sense (in mine and my parents’ plans) for them to drive me to Hollie’s then for me to get the train (60 mins) to Gatwick from London Bridge station. Remember, the Gate closes at 14:15….
11:00 We collect my visa and passport from Hollie’s
11:30 I get on the tube to London Bridge
11:50 Arrive at London Bridge where the train I planned to catch, and all following trains to Gatwick airport are either cancelled or ‘experiencing severe delays’
11:55 After some quick brainstorming on the phone with my parents and heavy Googling, I make the executive decision to get the tube to Victoria and catch the Gatwick Express (30 min journey) to the airport.
12:00 The tube announces that the Circle line is closed
12:01 Panic over- the district line also goes to Victoria
12:15 Arrive at Victoria
12:20 The Gatwick express is cancelled
12:21 PANICKED PHONE CALL TO PARENTS who quickly drive to Victoria to take me to Gatwick
12:30 Parents arrive (phew) and Sat Nav says ETA is 13:50
12:40 Dad manically drives to airport whilst I make contingency plans with STA Travel, my insurance and Google flights.
14:00 ARRIVE AT DEPARTURES
14:13 After sprinting with a 2 stone rucksack, knocking small children over, rushing security and utter exhaustion, I arrive at the gate with 1 minute to spare!
Start as you mean to go on.
I have a feeling that there will be plenty more posts like this.
Thank you for the faith in me- although, you’re not too far from the truth… Dubai transfer had a similar story….
Ha! You’ll be fine.