Arriving in Gatwick London on Saturday, June 17. We need to cross London to Kings Cross station for a trip on to York. It appears from the RS guidebook that we can take a train from Gatwick to St. Pancras, walk across the street, and enter Kings Cross station. Is it that easy, or am I missing something? Do I use a rail card or an oyster card? Thanks.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8132 posts
It really is that easy- any Thameslink train (with a final destination of either Peterborough or Cambridge)- you should never be waiting more than 15 minutes at Gatwick. Use your Oyster- costs £9.50
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2320 posts
It is very easy and the walk is well signed!
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4295 posts
Very easy, we were surprised. Took our train from Victoria Station to Gatwick. Just tapped our credit card. We got on the first class car by mistake. We were already settled when we realized. Just paid the extra fee 11£ when the conductor came around.
Posted by
London
358 posts
It really is that easy - super frequent trains to St Pancras too
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you all for your comments. We're arriving at Gatwick on an overnight from Tampa Florida. My cousin is flying into Heathrow the same morning and we are to meetup at Kings Cross station. Since none of us have been to England before, I just didn't want to have any major surprises. Thanks again.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33991 posts
Most of the Thameslink trains from Gatwick into St Pancras International (will usually originate at either Brighton or Three Bridges but you don't need to know know that) will be 12 coaches long and have a final destination of Bedford.
Just go upstairs (lifts and escalators provided) to the ground floor and walk across the street right into Kings Cross. Look at the website and pick a bar or restaurant to meet at so you can sit an wait...
Posted by
Preston UK
1232 posts
You don't have to use an Oyster card if you don't have one, you can just use a contactless card or phone or smart watch pay. It's the same price with either but the Oyster card costs £7 to get. Some people like to use an Oyster to save getting a credit card out all the time but you don't have to.
Posted by
Cornwall
332 posts
My cousin is flying into Heathrow the same morning and we are to meetup at Kings Cross station
Your cousin can take the Piccadilly Line straight to Kings Cross from LHR.
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you all so much. London is a big city compared to Tampa, and we only have poor quality bus service here, no rail.
We will be staying in London for four nights at the end of our trip, so we will get an oyster card for each of us to use on tube and bus sightseeing rather than risk flashing a tap and go credit card in crowded places.