Lois Larson
Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex, which means that a London Freedom Pass does not count for travel to the airport. However, Freedom Pass holders can use their pass to get to East Croydon, a Zone 6 station, and then buy a ticket from there to Gatwick Airport. This ticket can be bought at a ticket office from the boundary of Zone 6, or at a local station. Alternatively, Freedom Pass holders can take the 420 route from Sutton town centre to Gatwick Airport and Crawley, using one of the new hydrogen-powered Metrobus buses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freedom Pass valid for travel to Gatwick Airport | No |
| Ticket required for travel to Gatwick Airport | Yes |
| Ticket type | Boundary Zone 6 ticket or East Croydon ticket |
| Ticket price | £5.20-£5.30 |
| Ticket purchase location | Ticket office |
| Online ticket purchase | Not available |
| Valid Freedom Pass travel area | Zones 1-6 |
| Valid Freedom Pass transport | Thameslink Train, Metrobus |
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What You'll Learn
Using a Freedom Pass to get from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport
If you are a Londoner with a Freedom Pass, you can use it to get to East Croydon, a Zone 6 station, on your way to Gatwick Airport. However, you will need to buy a ticket for the rest of the journey from East Croydon to the airport. This ticket can be purchased from your local station to East Croydon or to the boundary of Zone 6. The ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport costs £5.20-£5.30.
You can use your Freedom Pass to get to East Croydon by changing at New Cross Gate from the East London Line. At East Croydon, you will find Platform 5, which has various amenities like a coffee stall, waiting room, information booth, and toilets. However, there is no Oyster reader on this platform, so you will need to walk through the barrier if you are using a contactless card.
To purchase the ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport, you need to go to a ticket office as you cannot buy it online. When booking the ticket, show your Freedom Pass and specify that you want a "boundary zone 6 to Gatwick" paper ticket. This ticket will allow you to travel from East Croydon to the airport using the stopping Thameslink service.
It is important to note that the Freedom Pass is not valid for travel to Purley or beyond Coulsdon South, which is the last station in Zone 6. Additionally, the pass cannot be used for travel to Gatwick Airport directly, and a separate ticket must be purchased for that portion of the journey.
Recently, a free route for Freedom Pass holders to Gatwick Airport has been introduced. This route involves taking the 420 Metrobus from Sutton town centre to the airport. This bus service is hydrogen-powered and operates through Belmont, Banstead, Tadworth, Reigate, and Redhill, serving East Surrey Hospital before reaching the airport and Crawley.
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Buying a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport
You can buy a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport online or at the station. Tickets start from $9.79 when booked in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. The price also varies depending on the time of day, route, and class. The train is the perfect way to get to Gatwick Airport from East Croydon, with around 297 trains available daily. The journey takes around 15 minutes on most trains, and the station connects directly into the South Terminal. If you need to get to the North Terminal, you can take the free terminal transfer shuttle train.
You can usually buy train tickets from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport up to 12 weeks before the departure date. Booking in advance can get you cheaper prices and increased flexibility. However, some operators and routes also offer same-day tickets. You can also sign up for an Advance ticket alert to get notified when your tickets are released. If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. Annual, monthly, and weekly options are available. National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year.
If you have a Freedom Pass, you must buy a ticket to get to Gatwick Airport. You can buy a ticket from East Croydon, or a Boundary Zone 6 ticket. The ticket from East Croydon is much easier to buy and is totally valid. The fare from East Croydon to Gatwick is around £5.20-£5.30.
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Using a Freedom Pass to get to Heathrow Airport for free
It is possible to get to Heathrow Airport for free using a Freedom Pass. However, it is important to note that the pass is not valid on the Heathrow Express train service, which runs between Heathrow Airport and Paddington station in central London. This service is owned by BAA, which operates separate to the UK Rail Network and charges a separate fare.
To use your Freedom Pass to get to Heathrow Airport for free, you can take the London Underground, which is valid for travel between Heathrow Airport and central London. All three of Heathrow's London Underground stations are wheelchair accessible. Alternatively, you can take the slower Heathrow Connect train service between Paddington and Hayes, and then buy a separate ticket between Hayes and Heathrow.
In addition, it is worth noting that the Freedom Pass is not valid for the entire journey to Gatwick Airport. If you are travelling by train, you will need to purchase a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport, which is in Zone 6. The ticket costs around £5 and is available at your local station or at East Croydon. If you are travelling by Thameslink train, you can purchase a ticket from Boundary Zone 6 or Coulsdon South, which is the furthest south the Freedom Pass is valid.
For those wishing to travel to Gatwick Airport for free with a Freedom Pass, there is a new hydrogen-powered bus service, the 420 route, which runs from Sutton town centre to Gatwick Airport and Crawley. This service is provided by Metrobus in partnership with West Sussex, Surrey, and Kent county councils and Gatwick.
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Using a Freedom Pass to get to Gatwick Airport for free via hydrogen-powered buses
It is not possible to use a Freedom Pass to get to Gatwick Airport without purchasing an additional ticket. However, a free route for Freedom Pass holders to Gatwick Airport has been introduced recently via the 420 Metrobus route, which is served by hydrogen-powered buses.
The 420 Route
The 420 route runs from Sutton town centre, through Belmont and Banstead, to Tadworth, and then on to Reigate and Redhill, serving East Surrey Hospital before arriving at Gatwick Airport and Crawley. This route is served by hydrogen-powered buses, which are zero-emission vehicles.
Ticket Purchase
To travel to Gatwick Airport via train, Freedom Pass holders must purchase an extension ticket from the boundary of Zone 6. These tickets can be bought at a ticket office or local station, but not online. The ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport costs £5.20-£5.30 and is valid with a Freedom Pass as long as travel is after 9:30 am.
Hydrogen-Powered Buses
The hydrogen-powered buses serving Gatwick Airport are manufactured by Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland-based battery and hydrogen bus manufacturer. The buses are zero-emission vehicles that can cover long ranges and carry heavy loads, making them ideal for the busy routes around the airport. The hydrogen buses are part of a £30 million investment in a fleet of 54 vehicles, making it one of the biggest hydrogen bus fleets in Britain.
Environmental Impact
The introduction of hydrogen-powered buses demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and investing in a net-zero future for transport. This initiative is expected to decarbonize public transport and benefit the environment and local communities.
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Using a Freedom Pass on the Gatwick Express
The Freedom Pass is not valid for travel on Gatwick Express trains. However, Freedom Pass holders can still use Gatwick Express trains by purchasing an extension ticket at the start of their journey. This ticket can be bought from any station within the Freedom Pass area, such as East Croydon, which is a Zone 6 station.
To use the Gatwick Express with your Freedom Pass, you must first travel to a station within the Freedom Pass area, such as East Croydon. From there, you can purchase a ticket to Gatwick Airport. This ticket will be valid for travel on the Gatwick Express. It is important to note that the ticket must be bought before boarding the Gatwick Express as there are no facilities to buy tickets on the train.
The cost of the ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport is £5.20-£5.30 for a single journey. This ticket can be purchased from a ticket office or a ticket machine at the station. It is also possible to use a contactless card or an Oyster card to pay for this journey.
In addition to the train, Freedom Pass holders can also take a hydrogen-powered bus, the 420 route, from Sutton town centre to Gatwick Airport for free. This bus route serves several towns in East Surrey, including Reigate and Redhill, before arriving at Gatwick Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but you will need to buy a ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick Airport. East Croydon is the last station in Zone 6, which is Freedom Pass territory.
The anytime fare is £5.30.
You can buy the ticket at your local station or at a ticket office.
No, there is a free route for Freedom Pass holders to Gatwick Airport via the 420 route from Sutton town centre to Gatwick Airport and Crawley.
Yes, you can use your Freedom Pass to get to East Croydon, then exit the station and re-enter using a contactless bank card.
