Travel Across London

[capricorn62]

Want to travel from Peterborough to Gatwick mid June via Kingx Cross & St Pancras but am told due possible work I have to go via underground to Victoria.
This will difficult for me as having health problems & cannot walk far with suitcase etc.
Thought about London Taxi, Kings Cross to Victoria, how much could this cost me each way & can I ensure I won`t be ripped off?
If I bought an Advanced ticket (cheaper) would they allow me to travel on my preferred route, Peterborough to Gatwick ?
A friend suggests National Express coach to Victoria but I will still have that walk from bus to rail station.
Any ideas?

[mushroom25]

check Thameslink's engineering calendar here
http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/static/filemanager/Web_2014-04-05_TL_Eng_Summ_NJ.pdf
I would point out that even if the service you require is running OK, it's a long walk from King's Cross to the Thameslink platforms at St Pancras.

an alternative is to cross the road outside the station and hop on a no73 bus direct to Victoria, journey 45mn.

[CJHorse]

A black cab will cost you between £10 and £15 each way - it's based on distance which will ultimately depend on such things as roadworks. A black cab will not rip you off.

If you are having to travel on the underground because of "possible work" an advance ticket will not help - the work will still be in place.

[EDDIE51]

Peterbough to Gatwick
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/PBO/GTW/030614/0900/dep
£22.50 cheapest advance fare

[Buenchico]

The National Rail website is showing "It is not yet known how Gatwick Express
services will be affected by engineering work from Saturday 7 to 13 June 2014. Please check back nearer the time of travel". (That was based upon searching for services on 12th June, as you've not provided an exact date). However Gatwick Express (which operates from Victoria) isn't the only service to the airport. The First Capital Connect services (which call at London Bridge) appear to be running normally. So the alternative route (as offered by the National Rail website) of taking the Northern Line to London Bridge seems perfectly feasible.

However, as you seem to have realised, it's actually easier to catch the First Capital Connect services at St Pancras (simply by walking over the road from Kings Cross). The National Rail website again shows services running normally from there.

So I'm confused by your post, as it seems to be the 'wrong way round'. It's services from Victoria which might be affected by engineering works (so that's the station you might need to avoid, rather than to get to!) whereas services from St Pancras appear to be running normally.

If you enter Peterborough to Gatwick on the National Rail website it offers travel on both Gatwick Express and First Capital Connect services, with discounted 'Advance' tickets (typically at £22.50) offered on both routes. Theoretically travel on First Capital Connect should be by joining their service at London Bridge but I can see no reason why you couldn't board at St Pancras instead. (Indeed, I've done exactly that myself with no problems!):
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

If you decided to take the National Express coach to Victoria Coach Station it would seem silly to make the trek to Victoria Rail Station (which can be quite arduous with heavy luggage) when there's an hourly coach service to Gatwick from Victoria Coach station anyway, with through fares available from Peterborough.

[capricorn62]

Thanks for all answers. Been to my local railway station & was advised to buy anytime tickets (for return mainly for late plane arrival), & separate singles splitting journey.
If St.Pancras is not on then cab to victoria canl be alternative.