Transit from London Heathrow to London Gatwick

[akshay.90]

Hi, I am an Indian Citizen with Canadian PR and have booked my flight form Mumbai to Vancouver with British Airways. However, my flight from India arrives at Heathrow Airport at 6:50 AM and my connecting flight is on the same day at 12 noon from London Gatwick airport. The UK government official website says a Canadian PR card holder does not require Visitor in Transit Visa if he / she travels the same day. Since, there is a change of Airport, I am concerned. The airline is not giving a direct answer and I am little worried now. Can someone please guide? Has anyone done it before?

 

[Taran D]

Hi, I am an Indian Citizen with Canadian PR and have booked my flight form Mumbai to Vancouver with British Airways. However, my flight from India arrives at Heathrow Airport at 6:50 AM and my connecting flight is on the same day at 12 noon from London Gatwick airport. The UK government official website says a Canadian PR card holder does not require Visitor in Transit Visa if he / she travels the same day. Since, there is a change of Airport, I am concerned. The airline is not giving a direct answer and I am little worried now. Can someone please guide? Has anyone done it before?

How will you commute to Gatwick from Heathrow? If it is the responsibility of the airline I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[akshay.90]

Even though the ticket is on same PNR and issued by British Airways, they say that I’ll have to recheck in the luggage at Gatwick and will have to ideally take the National Express Bus or car by myself from Heathrow. If I am not able to catch the connecting flight they will help me with another flight or with accommodation. Which I am not too sure!

 

[Taran D]

Even though the ticket is on same PNR and issued by British Airways, they say that I’ll have to recheck in the luggage at Gatwick and will have to ideally take the National Express Bus or car by myself from Heathrow. If I am not able to catch the connecting flight they will help me with another flight or with accommodation. Which I am not too sure!

Will they pay for your ticket on National Express Bus? Have they chartered it for all other customers? As in other larger airports the fare of air bus is free for this type of commute even though the baggage is being checked by the customers themselves.

 

[akshay.90]

No, I’ll have to pay for the same. As I’ll have to decide what medium of transport that I would want to take, Bus or Uber or any private car. They usually suggest National Express over the call, but the same is not paid by them!

 

[scylla]

How will you commute to Gatwick from Heathrow? If it is the responsibility of the airline I don't think it will be a problem.

It's not the responsibility of the airline. It's up to the individual to move themselves and their luggage between these two airports. Its a 30-45 minute trip by car.

 

[Taran D]

No, I’ll have to pay for the same. As I’ll have to decide what medium of transport that I would want to take, Bus or Uber or any private car. They usually suggest National Express over the call, but the same is not paid by them!

Ok. Then go with the option given by airline.

 

[akshay.90]

It's not the responsibility of the airline. It's up to the individual to move themselves and their luggage between these two airports. Its a 30-45 minute trip by car.

I don’t mind doing it myself. But I am confused with regards to the visa requirements at UK for change of Airport at London. Ideally if you leave UK the same day, as a permanent resident of Canada you do not require a Direct Airside Transit Visa / Visitor in Transit Visa.

1. Direct Airside Transit Visa - If you are not passing through border control
2. Visitor in Transit Visa - If you have to pass through border control and again check in

However, the airline is not giving a direct answer.

 

[Taran D]

It's not the responsibility of the airline. It's up to the individual to move themselves and their luggage between these two airports. Its a 30-45 minute trip by car.

Thats a news. I didn't knew that. Good to know that, thanks.

 

[scylla]

I don’t mind doing it myself. But I am confused with regards to the visa requirements at UK for change of Airport at London. Ideally if you leave UK the same day, as a permanent resident of Canada you do not require a Direct Airside Transit Visa / Visitor in Transit Visa.

1. Direct Airside Transit Visa - If you are not passing through border control
2. Visitor in Transit Visa - If you have to pass through border control and again check in

However, the airline is not giving a direct answer.

Unfortunately I don't know the answer with regards to the visa.