Airport trains

[euroman2006]

Simple question, yet complex I suppose.

Should we purchase trains from airports to city before hand on the internet? (especially the Gatwick express which we can get cheaper with a deal 4 for 2 online, or can we get that day of as well?)

Is it worth the effort to go ahead and get the tickets for these or not? Airports to and from that we are going to are.

Gatwick
Luton
Barcelona
Rues (or maybe Gerona, don't remember at work right now)
Dublin
Edinburgh
Manchester

[rchua]

during the first leg of my trip we had to rush from gatwick airport to luton for our connecting flight. we just showed up and bought the tickets you don't have to book it online or anything. just head to the national express kiosk and tell them you want the bus for luton airport. if you do have connecting flight make sure you have enough time because traffic is unpredictable.

[madamtrashheap]

euroman2006, have a look at the Gatwick Express website and see if that deal you mentioned is available on the day of travel rather than pre-ordering. I'd suggest simply buying the tickets on the day you're travelling just in case something happens (flight cancelled, touchwood they aren't for you! ) and then you'd just have to shell out for another ticket to avoid the hassle of trying to explain why you already have a ticket that hasn't been used, blah, blah. It truly isn't a hassle to buy the tickets once you're there, and a great way to use up those pesky coins that seem to give you "currency lag" at the end of your trip! ;D. Just allow time to stand in line (i.e. don't get there 2 mins before the trains are leaving) or on some trains you can buy them on board for the same price, not always but often.

Oh, and as an aside, some of the cities you're going to/from have bus services to the centre of town that may suit better. Just not the Dublin one, the traffic there is a 'mare so the train is a better choice.

[LHR02]

I bought my ticket on Gatwick Express right on the train for the same price. In fact they were huge ads all over the airport saying just that.....same price to buy on the train so no need for advance booking. This was in Nov of this past year.....I'd 'assume' it is still the same but best to check it first.

[euroman2006]

Thanks guys, I'm off to the airport city today in a few minutes and then its off to Europe tomorrow.

We'll probably just wait till we get to the airport(s) for transportation.

[LHR02]

Have a great trip and a terrific time!

Bon Voyage