During our trip to Romania, we had an eight-hour layover at Gatwick Airport. Rather than waiting around, we decided to explore central London. Our flight arrived at Gatwick at 6:20 AM, with the next leg scheduled for departure at 2:25 PM. After clearing customs, we headed to Excess Baggage Company to drop off our bags, allowing us to travel freely.
Pro tip:
Baggage Storage: Charges are based on the number of bags and the duration of storage, so plan accordingly.
Citymapper App: Download the free Citymapper app. It provides live information on delays and planned closures. We used it to keep track of train times. The app also compares various transportation options and indicates when walking is the best choice.
Staying connected With eSIM
We used Airalo eSIM to effortlessly access local data plans in over 120 countries, eliminating the hassle of physical SIM cards. Airalo’s reliable internet access made it easy to navigate London, share our travel experiences, and stay in touch with loved ones in real-time, ensuring a seamless experience throughout our trip.
How to Get There/Transportation
There are several ways to get from Gatwick airport into London city center. Gatwick is approximately 28 miles south of London Bridge.
Train: The fastest way to travel between Gatwick Airport and London Bridge is by train. Thameslink operates direct trains frequently, taking about 28-33 minutes to reach London Bridge station. Ticket prices range from $10 to $33 USD. We chose this option and, since we traveled on a Sunday morning, it was quite affordable. We paid $38 USD for a round trip for both of us.
Taxi: The driving distance is around 31-32 miles, and the journey typically takes 51-60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Expect to pay $120 USD and up for a taxi ride.
Coach: For budget travelers, National Express coaches run from Gatwick to central London. Although the journey takes around 2 hours or more, the cost is about $10 to $12 USD.
Coach: For those looking for budget options or more time flexibility, National Express coaches run from Gatwick to central London approximately every 30 minutes, operating 24 hours a day, though the journey takes significantly longer at around 2 hours or more. The cost is about $10 to $12 USD.
5 Things to do in London on an 8-Hour Layover
London Bridge
Start your adventure with a visit to the iconic London Bridge, which spans the River Thames in central London, connecting the City of London to Southwark. The current London Bridge opened in 1973, replacing the 19th-century London Bridge, which, interestingly, replaced a medieval structure that stood for over 600 years. Not to be confused with the striking Tower Bridge which is located nearby.
From London Bridge, you can enjoy stunning views of some of London’s most famous landmarks. To the west, you can see the majestic Tower Bridge with its distinctive twin towers, often considered one of London’s most iconic symbols. The view also includes the impressive Tower of London, steeped in history and tradition.
Looking east, you can spot The Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building, offering a striking modern contrast to the historical architecture. The River Thames itself is a bustling scene, with boats and ferries traveling through its waters, adding to the lively atmosphere.
To the north, the skyline includes the city’s financial district with an array of modern skyscrapers, including the Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie building.
Fun Fact: The 19th century stone arched London Bridge was replaced for several reasons such as structural issues, traffic congestion, modernization needs and cost effectiveness. The bridge was sold to Robert P. McCulloch, an American oil tycoon in 1968 for $2,460,000. McCulloch purchased the bridge to attract tourists and potential buyers to his real estate development in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Address: London EC4R 9HA, UK
Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK
Tower of London
Explore the historic Tower of London, located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. This renowned castle is famous for its rich history and the various roles it served for centuries, including a royal palace, prison, armory, and treasury.
The Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, a dazzling collection that attracts millions of visitors each year. As one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, it offers a fascinating glimpse into British history.
Visitors can tour the fortress’s ancient walls, visit the Bloody Tower, and see the iconic Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters.
Address: London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
ORÉE Cafe
While exploring, we stumbled upon ORÉE Cafe and decided to give it a try. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the amazing aroma of freshly baked goods. The cafe offers a delightful range of artisan morning pastries, bread, savory snacks, sandwiches, and coffees. Despite being a bit busy, we were able to find seating inside.
We indulged in the Red Velvet Cake, which was moist and delicious. The smoked salmon on a bun was equally good. Our hot chocolate and mocha latte were both rich and satisfying, making our visit to ORÉE Cafe a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Address: 21 Borough High St, London SE1 9SE, United Kingdom
Exploring on Foot
Take a leisurely walk through central London, soaking in the city’s vibrant street life.
Make a quick stop at Southwark Cathedral, conveniently located near London Bridge. The cathedral’s proximity to Borough Market and the River Thames makes it a notable landmark.
Borough Market
Enjoy a culinary adventure at Borough Market, where you can sample a wide variety of local and international foods. We started with the delicious truffle mushroom risotto at Wild Mushroom Risotto.
Next, we enjoyed refreshing freshly pressed sugarcane juice and ginger juice at Raya Grocery. At Tartuafia, we sampled various truffle oils, including white truffle strawberry, raspberry, and apricot oil. The strawberry truffle oil was our favorite. Our next stop was We Juice It for a shot of ginger, which was surprisingly potent and strong, even for ginger lovers.
We ended our short London food tour on a sweet note at Bread Ahead Bakery, picking up a few doughnuts to go as we headed back to Gatwick Airport. Although our stay in London was brief, we managed to do some sightseeing and enjoy some fantastic foods.
Address: London SE1 9AL, UK
More Activities to Do in London
We hope you enjoy your visit to London. Happy Travels!
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