2:15 transfer time in Gatwick with checked luggage enough?

Upvote:1

While it will not be impossible to make the connection but there are many ways it can go wrong.

Several people here tell they will not self connect with less than 4 hours. I will not even do it with that much time but I avoid risk.

If you are willing to take the risk consider the options if you do miss your flight. Likely a new ticket at last minute price and still having to overnight somewhere.

If you can get a direct flight, as indicated by the other answer(s) and comments you will have an easier travel and less risk for an unexpected financial spike.

Upvote:1

I’m surprised a regular user like you even asks the question.

Can you make it? Sure, if all goes well and you believe in Santa Claus, it should be pretty straightforward.

Will you make it? I wouldn’t bet much on it.

In normal circumstances the odds are already pretty bad. Even a small delay will cause you to miss your connection.

But you are telling us you want to do it December 29th. No no no. No way.

  • it’s holiday season. Flights are full, which means more chances for delays. Airports are full, which means more chances for lengthy queues.

  • it’s holiday season. Somehow people manage to bring on board twice their allowance, and on top of that, it’s probably cold, so they all have huge parkas. Overhead bins are full, they have to gate check stuff, delays, blah.

  • it’s prime season for snow and ice. A little runway closure here, a small de-icing delay there…

  • we’re still in post-Covid recovery. Summer was a meltdown. Hopefully this winter will be better, but would you bet on that?

  • It’s holiday season: flights are full and expensive. If you miss your connecting flight, it could take a while to find a new flight, and it will cost you an arm and a leg. Alternative routes may not be easy to find either.

  • It’s holiday season, which is Network Rail’s favorite time to perform track works and shut down lots of services with extremely poor alternatives. Less trains, more people on flights, more delays, less alternatives.

Hey, December 29th is a Thursday, it’s probably not the worst of the worst days for this. But still, I personally wouldn’t dream of booking this.

Upvote:2

Is it realistic to have time for ...

I give it a 50/50 chance. If all things go well, you can probably make it. At the gate at 10:00am, through immigration and customs by 10:45am, transfer to North Terminal, arriving at 11:00am, at the EZjet check in counter by 11:15am. Bag drop closes 40 minutes before departure, so 11:35am.

However, any hiccup will throw you off. Flight delay, weather, long line at passport control, slow or lost bags, taking a wrong turn or bus, long check in line, etc.

My personal minimum connection time for self transfer is 4 hours and more if immigration, customs, or terminal changes are required.

Given the very real risk missing the ferry that does not sound like a good plan.

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