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Buying senior's railcard in person if Gatwick ticket office closed

Posted by (Edmonton Alberta Canada) on

Hi everyone.

Unless I've misunderstood, the Gatwick rail ticket office is closed, with only roving staff around the ticket machines to assist. I infer that they cannot issue a senior's rail card (or can they?) and that one cannot buy a rail card from the ticket machines. That would seem to leave only buying it online as an option. I can certainly do that, but would rather buy it in person if possible.

I arrive at Gatwick airport on Monday, September 25 at 9AM and was hoping to buy the card and then take a train to Portsmouth (beginning a 5 week loop around England and Wales, mostly following RS book itinerary with an in depth detour in Devon and Cornwall for some family history). I've looked into rail passes but since I plan to just do short trips around my loop they didn't seem to be a worthwhile purchase. But the Senior's Rail Card seems like a good idea.

I appreciate and ideas or assistance anyone can provide.

Greg

Posted by
2600 posts

Travel to Portsmouth on a regular ticket and buy the railcard there.

An Advance ticket on the 10.39 train to Portsmouth currently costs the princely sum of £6.

Posted by
93 posts

"An Advance ticket on the 10.39 train to Portsmouth currently costs the princely sum of £6."

Thanks for the reply. I probably look like a cheapskate, I guess I could pay the 6 pounds and if my flight is delayed (been hearing stories this is common), I can write off the 6 pounds.

An any time ticket for Sept. 25 is 29 pounds, or a same day ticket which I think is around 19 pounds (using National Rail's site).
Not the end of the world, I know. Just hoping to save a bit where and when I can - hence my ticket office question.

Posted by
8131 posts

That is not the answer. You get to Portsmouth then find that the ticket office there is closed for some reason. You or I don't know that won't happen but my local ticket office is constantly closing early or for entire days on a whim.
And ticket offices are very likely to be closing en masse at some point in time.

The answer is to buy your railcard on line.

You know you will be travelling off peak so buy a £19.20 off peak single djscounted down to 34% off which is £12.65 whenever you arrive.

Only twice the price of the advance fare and with far more certainty.

Posted by
93 posts

Thank you very much "isn31c" , that's very helpful advice.

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