Lois Larson
Oyster cards are a convenient way to travel around London, and they can be used on Gatwick Express trains between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. You can buy a regular Oyster card at Gatwick Airport, but not a Visitor Oyster card. You can top up your Oyster card at Gatwick Airport, either online or at the self-service ticket machines. After your Gatwick Airport transfer, you can use your Oyster card to travel around London, and you can top it up at any Underground ticket machine or ticket stop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you buy Oyster Cards at Gatwick Airport? | Yes, you can buy Regular Oyster Cards at Gatwick Railway Station. Visitor Oyster Cards cannot be bought at Gatwick Airport, but can be bought in advance online and sent to your home address. |
| Where to buy Oyster Cards at Gatwick Airport? | At the Transport for London desk in the arrivals area at both terminals, the Concierge Desk in either the North or South Terminal, the Skybreak Centre in either terminal, or at the airport train station. |
| Can you top up Oyster Cards at Gatwick Airport? | Yes, you can top up Oyster Cards at Gatwick Airport at the self-service ticket machines. |
| Can Oyster Cards be used on trains to and from Gatwick Airport? | Yes, Oyster Cards can be used on Gatwick Express trains and National Rail services to and from Gatwick Airport. |
| Can Oyster Cards be used on trains within Gatwick Airport? | Yes, Oyster Cards can be used on the free shuttle train between the North and South Terminals at Gatwick Airport. |
| Can Oyster Cards be used on trains within London? | Yes, Oyster Cards can be used on the London Underground, buses, trams, the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, and most National Rail services within London. |
| Can Oyster Cards be used to travel outside of London? | Oyster Cards cannot be used to travel to Windsor from London. However, they can be used to get to Paddington Station to catch a train to Windsor. |
| Are there discounts available for Oyster Cards? | Yes, there are discounts available for young people and children. Railcards can also be registered to Oyster Cards to receive a 34% discount on tickets outside of rush hour. |
| What are the differences between Regular and Visitor Oyster Cards? | Visitor Oyster Cards have certain restrictions, such as the inability to load 7-day travelcards, and the £5 cost is non-refundable. |
| How much do Oyster Cards cost? | Regular Oyster Cards cost £5, which is refundable. Visitor Oyster Cards cost £7 and are non-refundable. |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster cards can be purchased at Gatwick Airport
You can purchase the Visitor Oyster Card from the Visitors Centre at Gatwick Airport. The card costs £5, which is refundable. When you purchase the card, anyone aged 11-15 will be given a 50% discount on the cost of the fares that go onto their card. You can also buy Regular Oyster Cards at the Gatwick Railway Station, and they will add a young person's discount. The Transport for London desk in the arrivals area at both terminals sells Oyster cards, and staff can advise on how to get the £5 refundable deposit and any credit on the card.
To get from Gatwick Airport to London, you can use the Gatwick Express, a bus service, or the train. The Gatwick Express is the most expensive option, and it is twice the price of the train for only a five-minute time save. The train goes to Victoria (west) or London Bridge. You can also use the Thameslink to London Bridge or St Pancras or the Southern train to Victoria. You can also take a bus from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Coach Station, which is cheaper than the Gatwick Express but takes longer.
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Topping up Oyster cards at Gatwick Airport
Oyster cards are a convenient way to pay for travel in London and can be used on the Gatwick Express, National Rail services, and other transport in the city. They can be purchased at Gatwick Airport, although Visitor Oyster Cards need to be bought in advance and sent to your home address. Regular Oyster Cards can be purchased at the airport's train station or at the Transport for London desk in the arrivals area of both terminals.
If you already have an Oyster Card and are looking to top it up, this can be done at Gatwick Airport. Top-ups can be made at self-service ticket machines at the airport or at Gatwick Airport train station. You can also top up your card at any station or Visitor Centre in London, or online through the TfL website.
It is worth noting that while Oyster Cards are a convenient option, they may not always be the cheapest. For example, purchasing paper train tickets with Group Save can be more cost-effective for larger groups. Additionally, if you have a contactless bank card, you can use that to tap in and out without needing to purchase an Oyster Card.
When topping up your Oyster Card, ensure you have sufficient credit to cover your intended journeys. Travelling in Zones 1-2 will require a maximum of £8.90 per day, while Zones 1-3 will cost a maximum of £10.50 per day. For travel between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria on the Gatwick Express, you will need £24 on your card. If you are travelling during peak hours (6:30 am-9:30 am and 4 pm-7 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays), you will need £19.20 on your card, whereas off-peak travel will require £10.70.
Oyster Cards offer flexibility and convenience for travellers, allowing them to navigate London's transport network seamlessly. By topping up their cards at Gatwick Airport or other locations, users can ensure they have sufficient credit for their journeys.
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Using Oyster cards on Gatwick Express trains
Oyster Cards are a convenient way to pay for your journey on the Gatwick Express. You can use Oyster Cards on all Gatwick Express trains for journeys that start and finish in the London Travelcard area. This includes travel between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria on Gatwick Express services.
It is important to 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. If you require an open return ticket, you can benefit from a 10% discount by purchasing online rather than using Oyster. Additionally, season tickets are not available on Oyster along the extended route; instead, you can purchase them using the Key Smartcard or a paper ticket.
When travelling between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, it is essential to be aware of the two fares in operation. If you travel on the Gatwick Express, you will be charged a higher but more flexible 'any permitted' fare. On the other hand, travelling on Southern trains will incur a lower fare. The fare charged depends on the gateline you enter or exit through at London Victoria. Gatwick Express services typically arrive at and depart from platforms 13 and 14, while Southern trains usually use platforms 15 to 19. Remember to touch in and out correctly at the appropriate gateline.
You can purchase Oyster Cards at Gatwick Airport, including both the North and South terminals. They are available at the airport's train station and the Concierge Desk or Skybreak Centre in either terminal. Regular Oyster Cards can be bought at the Transport for London desk in the arrivals area of both terminals, and you can also get advice on refunds and credit from the staff there. Visitor Oyster Cards, on the other hand, cannot be purchased at Gatwick Airport and need to be ordered in advance.
To top up your Oyster Card, you can use the self-service ticket machines at London Victoria or Gatwick Airport. Top-ups are also possible at Underground stations and various shops across London, as well as other National Rail stations in London with self-service ticket machines. Additionally, you can top up your Oyster Card online on the TfL website and set up an automatic top-up option.
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Discounts for young people on Oyster cards
Oyster cards are a convenient way to pay for travel on London's public transport network, including the Gatwick Express train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria. Oyster cards can be purchased and topped up at Gatwick Airport, with the option of adding a Young Visitor Discount for those under 16. This discount is valid for 14 days and can be added by staff at the ticket machine at the T5 Tube station.
The Visitor Oyster Card for Gatwick Airport offers a flexible way to travel into London and provides approximately two days of unlimited travel in Zones 1-3. It can be purchased at the Visitor Centre at Gatwick Airport and comes with a 50% discount on fares for those under 16. The card can be topped up at any Underground ticket machine or ticket stop across London to continue using it during your stay.
It is worth noting that Oyster cards are not valid for travel to Windsor, and separate train tickets are required for that journey. Additionally, Oyster cards are not valid for first-class travel on Gatwick Express or other National Rail services.
For groups, it may be more cost-effective to purchase paper train tickets using Group Save options, such as Thameslink trains, as these tickets can also offer discounts on sights and attractions.
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Differences between Visitor and Regular Oyster cards
Oyster cards are used to pay for public transportation in London. Oyster Pay As You Go is based on single fares, and there are occasions when Oyster may not be the cheapest option for your journey.
Standard Oyster cards are reusable smart cards available to London residents and regular commuters. They can be topped up with credit and used for an unlimited number of journeys on the London Underground, buses, trams, and National Rail services within the London fare zones. They do not come with a daily price cap.
Visitor Oyster cards, on the other hand, are designed specifically for tourists and visitors to London. They are pre-loaded with credit and can be used to pay for journeys on the same modes of transport as the Standard Oyster cards. Visitor Oyster cards are disposable and cannot be topped up. They come with a daily price cap, meaning that you will only pay a certain amount per day, regardless of how many journeys you make. This daily cap is the same as that of a Standard Oyster card.
Visitor Oyster cards can be purchased online and mailed to your home address before your trip. They can also be bought at TFL visitor centres and Oyster ticket shops in London. Standard Oyster cards can be purchased at any tube station via a machine or at the Transport for London desk in the arrivals area at Gatwick Airport.
Both cards can be topped up at Gatwick Airport using the self-service ticket machines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can top up your Oyster card at Gatwick Airport at the self-service ticket machines.
You can top up your Oyster card at any London Underground station, Visitor Centre, or ticket stop. You can also top up online at the TfL website.
For the Gatwick Express, you’ll need £24 on your card. For National Rail services to Gatwick Airport, you’ll need £19.20 on your card if travelling during Peak hours (6.30 am-9.30 am and 4 pm-7 pm, Mon-Fri except Public Holidays) or £10.70 if travelling Off-Peak.
You can buy an Oyster card at Gatwick Airport at the Concierge outlets in Gatwick North Terminal or Gatwick South Terminal, at the Skybreak Service Centre in both terminals, or at the Gatwick Airport train station. You can also buy them at any London Underground station or online from the TfL website.
