Roberta Aguirre
Although you can't get directly to Gatwick Airport via the London Underground, you can use a combination of the Tube and train services. This includes taking the Tube to Victoria or London Bridge and then taking the Thameslink or Gatwick Express to the airport. This journey can be paid for using an Oyster card or a credit/debit card with contactless technology, with prices starting from £10.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transport options to Gatwick Airport | Tube to Victoria station, then train to Gatwick Airport; Thameslink train from London Bridge; Gatwick Express train from Victoria station |
| Transport cards | Oyster card or contactless payment |
| Train ticket price | Starting from $38.15 |
| Train ticket types | Single, flexible, first class, off-peak, super off-peak, anytime |
| Train ticket savings | Booking in advance, group travel |
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What You'll Learn
- Gatwick Express trains to London Victoria depart twice an hour
- Thameslink trains are a more affordable option than Gatwick Express
- You can use Oyster or contactless payment to get to Gatwick
- Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains accept Oyster cards but don't offer 2x1 discounts
- Train tickets may be cheaper when booked in advance
Gatwick Express trains to London Victoria depart twice an hour
Gatwick Express trains provide a direct route between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, with trains departing twice an hour. The journey takes 30 minutes, and the train station at Gatwick Airport is located in the South Terminal. If you are travelling to or from the North Terminal, you can use the inter-terminal transit shuttle to connect to the South Terminal and the train station.
London Victoria is well-connected to the rest of London, with access to the Victoria, District, and Circle lines on the London Underground. From Victoria, you can take the Circle Line to Paddington and then the Heathrow Express to reach Heathrow Airport. Alternatively, you can take a coach service, such as National Express, Airline, or Flixbus, which offers direct services between Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
The Gatwick Express timetable is subject to change, and it is recommended to use the journey planner to check the train schedules before travelling. There may be engineering work or unplanned disruptions that affect the train services.
In addition to the Gatwick Express, other train services operate between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, such as Thameslink and Southern trains, which provide alternative options for travellers.
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Thameslink trains are a more affordable option than Gatwick Express
There are several transport options to get to Gatwick Airport from London, including the Gatwick Express, Thameslink trains, Southern trains, and the London Underground (the Tube).
Thameslink trains are a more affordable option than the Gatwick Express. Ticket prices for the Gatwick Express start at £14.80 for an adult anytime ticket, whereas Thameslink tickets can be purchased for as little as £38.15 one way if booked in advance. Thameslink trains also offer concessions on ticket prices for groups, which can be a significant saving.
Additionally, Thameslink trains are more frequent than the Gatwick Express, with four direct trains per hour to Gatwick Airport. This means that even if you miss one train, you won't have to wait long for the next one. Thameslink trains also have more stops in London, making it easier to get to your final destination once you arrive in the city.
In terms of luggage space, the Gatwick Express has more generous luggage storage areas, with no steps into the carriage. However, Thameslink trains still have adequate luggage space, and their trains are long and spacious, with room for large luggage by the doors in each coach.
Overall, Thameslink trains are a great option for those looking for an affordable and convenient way to get to Gatwick Airport from London. With frequent departures, a spacious interior, and good luggage storage, Thameslink trains offer a comfortable journey without breaking the bank.
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You can use Oyster or contactless payment to get to Gatwick
Gatwick Airport has accepted Oyster and Contactless payments since January 2016. This means passengers can use Oyster and Contactless to pay for travel between Gatwick Airport and London. This includes travel on Southern, Gatwick Express, and Thameslink services.
Oyster and Contactless payments can be used at Gatwick Airport and five other stations along the route: Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill, and Merstham. This means that travellers can use Oyster and Contactless to pay for travel between Gatwick and London.
You can top up your Oyster card at London Victoria or Gatwick Airport using the self-service ticket machines. You can also top up at Underground stations and various shops across London, as well as at other National Rail stations in London using self-service ticket machines. You can also top up Oyster online at the TfL website and set an automatic top-up.
Please note that Oyster Pay As You Go is based on single fares, so there may be occasions when Oyster is not the cheapest option for your journey. There is a daily cap on Oyster fares, but it is important to be aware that it will not always be cheaper than buying a return paper ticket. Similarly, there is a weekly price cap for those using a Contactless card or mobile device, but it is still cheaper to buy a season ticket.
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Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains accept Oyster cards but don't offer 2x1 discounts
Gatwick Airport can be accessed via train from London Underground Zone 1-6. Tickets for this journey can be purchased for as low as $38.15, with prices varying depending on the time of day, route, and class. It is recommended to book in advance to secure cheaper tickets.
Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains both accept Oyster cards as a means of payment for travel between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. Oyster cards are smartcards from Transport for London (TfL) that can hold Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit, Travelcards, and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. They can be used on all Gatwick Express trains for journeys that start and finish in the London Travelcard area.
While Oyster cards are a convenient option for travel on Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains, it is important to note that they do not offer 2-for-1 discounts. Oyster PAYG is based on single fares, so there may be instances where it is not the most economical option for your journey. Additionally, season tickets are not available on Oyster cards for these routes, and it may be cheaper to purchase a return paper ticket.
If you are considering purchasing an Oyster card, they can be acquired in advance at the TFL online shop or from the Visitor Centre at Gatwick Airport. Standard Oyster cards can also be purchased from a machine at the railway station in the South Terminal.
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Train tickets may be cheaper when booked in advance
Although you can't get directly to Gatwick Airport via the London Underground, you can take the Tube to Victoria Station and then take a train to the airport. This can be done by using the Circle Line tube from Victoria to Paddington Station, and then taking the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Airport. From there, you can take a direct coach service to Gatwick Airport.
Alternatively, you can take the Tube to London Bridge Station and then connect to the Thameslink trains, which will take you directly to Gatwick Airport. This route is ideal if you are in the east or north of London and do not want to travel all the way to Victoria Station.
When taking either of these routes, it is recommended to use an Oyster card or a credit/debit card with contactless technology to pay for transportation. This will allow you to access all train options and benefit from cheaper fares.
Now, onto the topic of train tickets: Train tickets may be cheaper when booked in advance. This is because most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches. By booking in advance, you can take advantage of lower prices and also secure your seat, especially if you are travelling in a group or with a lot of luggage.
Advance tickets are usually released up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can offer significant savings compared to buying on the day. Additionally, if you plan to travel during off-peak times, you can find discounted fares with more flexible travel options. If you catch this train more than three times per week, you could also consider purchasing a Season Ticket, which offers annual, monthly, and weekly options.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot get to Gatwick Airport directly via the London Underground. You can, however, take the Circle Line tube to Victoria Station and then take a train to Gatwick Airport.
The price of a train ticket from London Zones 1-6 to Gatwick Airport can start from as little as $38.15. Ticket prices depend on the time of day, route, and class, and may be cheaper when booked in advance.
The journey from London to Gatwick Airport by train takes less than half an hour, making it quicker than getting to any other London airport.
You can pay for your train ticket using a contactless payment card, Oyster card, or cash. Contactless payment is not valid for travel to stations south of Gatwick Airport or outside of London.
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