Direct flight with drive or transfer?

bainbridge

bainbridge

bainbridge

Soldato
Joined
9 Dec 2009
Posts
5,392
Location
Bristol
Hi all

Planning a trip and debating whether to drive from my home in Bristol to Heathrow and then fly direct to my destination (Africa), or fly from Bristol with a transfer?

Costwise it's about the same with airport parking and fuel, but I won't have to organise lifts to and from Bristol airport, which is about 30 mins away.

I enjoy driving. I tend to sit with no music, listen to the engine, and just concentrate on my driving and chill.

Bristol to Kenya with a transfer would be quicker on the outbound journey as there is only a 55 min transfer in Schiphol (KLM), but a 5 hour wait for the transfer on the way back, so it will be about 4 hours slower.

Any thoughts?
 
I'd be doing LHR - I've never transferred at AMS before but I believe it to be massive and would 55 minutes be enough time to get to your gate on time?

I don't mind tight transfers coming home but on my way out like to leave a nice buffer just in case of any delays.
 
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What time of year? Bristol flights can be at heightened risk of delay during certain key high demand periods. A 55 minute connection in AMS is asking for trouble. I'd never book anything with less than a 90 min scheduled connection, and would prefer 2hrs+.

If there was a significant cost difference and you weren't bothered about possibly missing your connection and having to spent a night in Amsterdam, it might be worth it. Otherwise, no.
 
Thanks for the responses.

Good point about potential delays. I have actually done a 1hr 10 min transfer at Schiphol and they have a "fast transfer" ticket that you need to print from a self service machine, but I can't remember exactly why it was quicker because I seemed to be going the same process as everyone else.

It is indeed a big airport but I got through in time.

I also always book multiple leg flights with one carrier so the onus is on them to sort me out if there's a delay.

Having said that, all it would take is a short delay at Bristol, which has happened to me several times on shorter direct flights, and I'd be screwed.

I think I will go with what you folks say and drive to Heathrow.

Cheers.
 
Post brexit Schipol is a nightmare in my experiences over the last few years. I’d not be relying on fast transfer tickets
 
55min connection?

That requires everything going smooth and perfect. Leave on time, land on time, the walk bridge open and letting passengers off on time, you seating nearer the front and not held up for 15mins in the back, you being close to the other gate.

No way.
 
It only takes you landing on the Polderbaan and your 55 minor connection is now a 30 minute connection. No way.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
55min connection?

That requires everything going smooth and perfect. Leave on time, land on time, the walk bridge open and letting passengers off on time, you seating nearer the front and not held up for 15mins in the back, you being close to the other gate.

No way.
Click to expand...

maybe it's doable if the seat is located next to an exit so you can be first off the plane.. but then
sometimes you rush to get to the passport lanes fast, and you find out 2-3 other flights must have landed at the same time you did...
 
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