(no subject)

[oyceter]

So I'll be meeting my parents in London before flying off to Italy... I'm landing in Heathrow, but they're staying at the airport hotel at Gatwick. Would anyone know if the National Express service from Heathrow to Gatwick be the best way to get to Gatwick? Also, will I be able to use euros in England, or should I get pounds as well from the bank? And does anyone know if it would be possible to use an American calling card to call my parents or the hotel when I'm there, in case something goes horribly wrong, as is wont to do when I am left to my own devices?

Yikes. It's rather silly because I've been flying back and forth to Taiwan for ages, but flying to Europe is foreign territory, and I am nervous.

Comments

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

Coach would probably be best. To go by train, you'd have to cross London by underground, and it would be quite expensive. I don't know about using US phonecards - I'd have thought not but there might be something special arranged at the airport. If there is, I suspect it would cost you an astonishing amount. It would probably be best to try and get hold of a few UK coins to telephone.

[oyceter]

Thanks! It took me a while to figure out "coach" was "bus." It is a bus, right?

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

OK, in the UK, "bus" is something that you get in a big city with hard seats and lots of people standing, while "coach" is more like a Grayhound bus.

[oyceter]

Ohhhhh, I see.

Thanks ^_^.

[rheanna27.livejournal.com]

It'd be a good idea to carry at least some cash in pounds sterling - Euros are not generally accepted in the UK. I'll second the recommendation to take the coach between airports, as taking the Underground through the city is not only expensive but very, very slow.

[oyceter]

Thanks!

[oursin.livejournal.com]

If there is a Heathrow/Gatwick shuttle (and I seem to recall seeing signs for this but never having personal need of it, have no idea if it's a coach or what), I'd strongly advise taking it rather than the alternative. This would involve travelling into central London (either expensively by taxi, or the hard way involving at least one change on the Tube) and then taking the Gatwick Express. To be avoided if possible. Don't know about the calling cards, suspect that euros would be fine for spending within the airports, but would recommend having some £sterling on hand.

[oyceter]

Great, thanks! Sorry.. er, would you by any chance know how to call international from Britain as well?

[oursin.livejournal.com]

Calling international from Britain - some payphones (esp at airports) will take credit cards as well as phonecards and cash. As far as I recollect, dialling international involves 0 plus country code plus area code (dropping initial 0 in countries where this applies) and number. There are all sorts of phonecards offering special deals on calls abroad with particular phone companies, but I've never looked into this, so can't advise.

[oyceter]

Thanks again!

[actoplasm.livejournal.com]

I'v taken the coach from Heathrow to Gatwick before. It takes about an hour and it was pretty cheap and efficient, taking to which terminal you want. As I recall it wasn't free and yes, the UK is still relatively Euro free. As for the calling card, you will need to check if there's an international number you can call. A lot of calling cards have numbers to call in different countries in the world. Otherwise, it won't work, because you can't call a 1-800 number. Though, if need be, you should be able to get a phone card somewhere there. Have a great trip!

[oyceter]

Great, thanks!

me me me!

[(Anonymous)]

being the swatty (i.e., you wanna swat me away like a fly) friend that i am, i'm reminding you to take lots of pics, to scan them, and to email some to me!! =)

(anlee)

Re: me me me!

[oyceter]

Yup yup! ^_^

Hey, what email address are you using now?

[oyceter]

Thanks!