Driving after overnight flight

[Briggykins]

Anyone have any experience of driving home after landing back in the UK?

We land in Heathrow at about half nine in the morning and I'm weighing up the pros and cons of taking the car vs the train. The car is significantly cheaper and more convenient, but I really dread the 3-4 hour drive home after probably a pretty poor sleep on the plane, not to mention the jetlag. Anyone experienced this?

[Mary A]

Will not drive the 2.5 hours home after a night flight again. Train or day room for us

[HenrysDad]

I have always driven, but the longest has been 3.5 hours from Manchester v 2 hours from Gatwick.
Always managed OK, but be prepared to admit defeat and stop for 40 winks in the services of you start to feel tired.

[frances01]

We have driven a few times 3.5 hours home after a night flight Sometimes we have to stop for a snooze but usually manage it in one. If we had the time I think I would go for a day room to make it easier when driving.

[YorkshireT]

Yes no real problems.

[EssexSue]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

Yes no real problems.

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Us too. Only bad one was when SIL went wrong way round M25 from Heathrow oh and we once found ourself heading for Dover from Gatwick.

[YorkshireT]

Originally Posted by EssexSue

Us too. Only bad one was when SIL went wrong way round M25 from Heathrow oh and we once found ourself heading for Dover from Gatwick.

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At first reading I thought you meant the wrong way around the M25 as in the wrong carriageway!

I haven’t done it for years as we’ve always been from Manchester recently (apart from Summer 2019 when we went from Doncaster which was fantastic).

[Lola]

I did it once for a 2 hour drive when the trains were not running due to track works, wouldn’t do it again unless no other option. I know people who book a day room at an airport hotel for a sleep and a shower.

[silverfox46]

Not any more, last time I wrote my car off a couple of miles from home. Stopped for coffee and walk around half way, but nodded off even though music on , windows open etc. Soon woke up when I hit the barriers 😫😫
The train takes the strains these days

[cornishfrogboy]

We have this issue, particularly after a 10 hour flight and a 9 hour time zone change from the West Coast on what is generally an evening take off.

Our drive to Falmouth is 5 hours plus from LHR and 6.5 if unfortunate enough to use LGW. In earlier years, I have driven it straight off, but now look to do a hotel perhaps an hour towards the west.

Now there is to be just Mandie and I after next Easter, we will be looking to the train!