Lois Larson
You can use your 60+ Oyster card to get to Gatwick Airport, but you will need to purchase an additional ticket to cover the portion of the journey that is outside of the Oyster card's validity. The Oyster card is valid for travel within London and can be used on the Gatwick Express, Southern, or Thameslink trains to get to Gatwick Airport. However, you will need to buy a separate ticket for the portion of the journey that is outside of the Oyster card's coverage area, which is typically from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport. The cost of this additional ticket varies depending on the train company and the time of day, but it is important to ensure that you have enough pay-as-you-go funds on your Oyster card to cover the journey within the valid zones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use my 60+ Oyster card to travel to Gatwick Airport? | Yes, but only in conjunction with a ticket from East Croydon or Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport. |
| Where can I buy the ticket? | You can buy the ticket from a machine or a ticket office. |
| What is the cost? | The cost varies depending on the time of day and train company. |
| What train lines can I use? | Gatwick Express, Southern, or Thameslink. |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster cards can be used on the Gatwick Express
When travelling from London to Gatwick Airport, you can use your Oyster card on the Gatwick Express, Southern, or Thameslink trains. However, it is worth noting that using an Oyster card may not always be the cheapest option, especially during peak travel times. Buying a return ticket ahead of time from Southern or Thameslink, or purchasing directly from Gatwick Express online, may offer better value.
If you are travelling from Brentwood to Gatwick Airport, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for the last 3 or 4 stops, as Brentwood is outside the Oyster card's validity. Similarly, if you are using a Freedom Pass or a 60+ Oyster card, you will need to buy a ticket from East Croydon, as this is the last station where these passes are valid.
For those with a 60+ Oyster card, another option is to purchase a ticket from Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport, as your train only needs to pass through Coulsdon South for this ticket to be valid. This ticket can be used in conjunction with your 60+ Oyster card for the rest of the journey.
In summary, while Oyster cards can be used on the Gatwick Express, it is important to consider the various factors that may impact your journey, such as the validity of your specific Oyster card, the cost of your journey, and any alternative ticketing options that may offer better value.
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Oyster cards can be used on Southern or Thameslink trains to Gatwick
When travelling to Gatwick with an Oyster card, you need to touch in and out at the yellow card readers at the stations. This includes when using Southern or Thameslink services. It's worth noting that Oyster cards are not valid on the Gatwick Express, which is a non-stop train between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
To use an Oyster card on Southern or Thameslink trains to Gatwick, you may need to purchase an additional ticket for part of your journey. For example, you can use your Oyster card in conjunction with a ticket from East Croydon or Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport. This allows you to travel on Southern or Thameslink services without having to hop on and off at specific stations.
When planning your journey, consider that buying a return train ticket during peak times or purchasing tickets directly from Southern, Thameslink, or Gatwick Express might be cheaper than using an Oyster card for the entire trip. Additionally, the bus is the cheapest option for travelling between London and Gatwick, although it takes significantly longer than the train.
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Oyster cards cannot be used for the entire journey to Gatwick
Oyster cards can be used to get to Gatwick Airport, but not for the entire journey. While Oyster cards are available on the Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink, they are not valid for the entire journey.
If you are travelling from Brentford, for example, you can use your Oyster card until East Croydon but will need to buy a ticket for the last few stops. This is because Oyster cards are only valid until certain stations, and additional tickets are required to reach Gatwick Airport.
Similarly, when travelling from London to Gatwick, Oyster cards can be used on certain train lines, such as Thameslink or Southern, but they may not be the cheapest option during peak times. Buying a regular train ticket for Thameslink (National Rail) is a more affordable choice during peak hours.
It is important to note that Oyster cards are subject to specific conditions. For instance, when using a combination of tickets, the train does not need to stop at the changeover station if the last station where one ticket is valid is the same as the first station where the other ticket is valid. However, the Freedom Pass, which is similar to the Oyster 60+ card, is not valid on the Gatwick Express services due to specific agreements.
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You need to buy a ticket from East Croydon
If you're travelling to Gatwick Airport with a 60+ Oyster card, you can use your card in conjunction with a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport. This is because the Oyster 60+ card is only valid until East Croydon, so you'll need to purchase a separate ticket for the remainder of your journey.
You can buy a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport at the ticket office or from a ticket machine. You can also purchase this ticket online or through most apps. This ticket will allow you to travel on Southern Rail and Thameslink without having to hop on and off at East Croydon.
It's important to note that the 60+ Oyster card cannot be used on the Gatwick Express service. If you wish to travel on the Gatwick Express, you will need to purchase a separate ticket.
There are other options for travelling between London and Gatwick Airport. You can use a regular train ticket on Thameslink (National Rail), which offers cheaper fares during peak times. Another option is to buy a return ticket from Southern and Thameslink, which can be more cost-effective than two single tickets.
Remember to touch in and out at the yellow card readers at the stations when using your Oyster card to ensure you are charged correctly.
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Cheaper tickets are available from Coulsdon South to Gatwick
If you're over 60 and wondering if you can use your Oyster card to get to Gatwick Airport, unfortunately, you can't use it for the entire journey. However, you can use your Oyster card until East Croydon, and from there, you'll need to purchase a separate ticket to Gatwick Airport.
Now, if you're looking for cheaper tickets from Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport, you're in luck! There are a few ways to save on your train journey:
- Book in advance: Ticket prices from Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport can vary, with standard class tickets starting from as little as £6.80 or $9.70 one-way. Booking in advance is often the best way to secure cheaper fares, as prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches. Tickets typically go on sale around 12 weeks before the travel date, and you can sometimes find Advance tickets even earlier.
- Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets: Travelling outside of peak hours, typically weekdays outside of 6:30 am-9:30 am and 4:00 pm-7:00 pm, can be much cheaper with Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. These tickets offer flexible travel times at a discounted rate.
- Railcards: Depending on your age or travel companions, you can save up to 1/3 on most tickets with a Railcard. Options include the 16-25 Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard, and Senior Railcard.
- Group travel discounts: If you're travelling in a group of three to nine people, you can often get a discount of up to 1/3 on standard fares.
- Split ticketing: Instead of buying a direct ticket, you can sometimes save money by splitting your journey into two legs. This can be a more affordable option and won't require you to change trains.
The journey from Coulsdon South to Gatwick Airport is approximately 11-12 miles, and the fastest trains can get you there in just 19 minutes. There are up to 79 trains per day, with the first train departing Gatwick Airport at 3:45 am and the last at 11:35 pm.
So, while you can't use your Oyster card for the entire journey to Gatwick Airport, you can still take advantage of these cost-saving measures to make your trip more affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use your 60+ Oyster card to get to Gatwick Airport. However, you will need to buy a ticket from East Croydon, which is the last stop where the Oyster 60+ is valid. You can buy a zone 6 extension ticket at the ticket office before you travel.
You can buy the extension ticket at the ticket office or from a ticket machine.
The cheapest way to get to Gatwick Airport from London is by bus. However, this option takes 2-3 times longer than the train. The cheapest train option is to travel via Thameslink or Southern (National Rail) using a regular train ticket (not Oyster).
