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Oyster/Thameslink/Gatwick

Posted by on

Apologies if this is a well-worn topic, but I've been trying to figure this out for longer than I'd like to admit.

My wife and I will be in London for about four days in August. I expect that we'll be using public transit frequently, so we plan on getting on Oyster Card shortly after arrival. We are coming in through Gatwick, and staying near St. Pancras station.

From what I can see, the easiest way to get to and from Gatwick is via Thameslink. I also see that Oyster is usable on this line. So, my questions:

  • Is there a price difference between putting the fare on an Oyster Card and getting a train ticket? My research suggests that it's £12.10 for a one-way ticket but £15.10 on the Oyster Card, a £3 difference.
  • Is the Thameslink fare assessed as a separate fare on the Oyster Card, or is it part of the daily capped fare?
  • Finally, where at Gatwick would one purchase an Oyster Card? Is it obvious?

Thanks!

Posted by
32740 posts

Your first question will be best answered with the TfL Fare Finder, and with the names of stations exact.

By Thameslink all the way, not changing onto the Underground, between Gatwick and London St Pancras International Station the Contactless or Oyster fare is only £15.10 during the peak hours, Monday to Friday. That's between 6:30 and 9:30. Even if your flight arrives early in the morning (or departs early in the morning) you won't want to be on the train with everybody and everybody's brother's cousins and all their friends in the morning peak. And figure on 90-120 minutes after the plane touches the earth before you walk out the frosted glass doors into the terminal, and then some more time getting to the station and getting your Oyster before you can tap it and hop on a train.

After 9:30 the Oyster/Contactless fare is only £8.30.

If your outbound flight is very early I'd consider being nearby. Premier Inn has several hotels in and around Gatwick.

Gatwick is a special case, outside the Zones and capping doesn't apply.

Buy your Oyster at the train station.

Posted by
5326 posts

Oyster / contactless are £15.10 peak, £8.30 off-peak.
Single tickets are £12.10 anytime, and a return is £21.10

Gatwick, and many other destinations outside the normal zone structure for that matter, does not follow the rubric within Zones 1-6 where the Oyster card is always cheaper than paper.

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