Surprise trip and train ticket to Gatwick
May 14, 2015, 4:13 am
#1
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Surprise trip and train ticket to Gatwick
Hi All,
I'm sorry about the OT, but I don't know where else to ask. We'll be flying BA after all!
I'm taking someone on a surprise trip tomorrow. He doesn't know we'll be flying and my plan is to make him believe we're going to Brighton, as conveniently the Thameslink service to Brighton stops at Gatwick first.
In order for him not to suspect anything, I would like to buy train tickets to Brighton and get off at Gatwick instead.
The question is: would we be allowed to go through the ticket barriers at Gatwick if we hold a ticket to Brighton?
The alternative and fairly cheap option is to buy a second ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick and use that one to get off at the airport.
I'm sorry about the OT, but I don't know where else to ask. We'll be flying BA after all!
I'm taking someone on a surprise trip tomorrow. He doesn't know we'll be flying and my plan is to make him believe we're going to Brighton, as conveniently the Thameslink service to Brighton stops at Gatwick first.
In order for him not to suspect anything, I would like to buy train tickets to Brighton and get off at Gatwick instead.
The question is: would we be allowed to go through the ticket barriers at Gatwick if we hold a ticket to Brighton?
The alternative and fairly cheap option is to buy a second ticket from East Croydon to Gatwick and use that one to get off at the airport.
May 14, 2015, 4:18 am
#3
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May 14, 2015, 4:20 am
#5
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I think you can only do this if you don't get a cheap advance fare since that won't allow a break during the journey - whether the ticket and barrier are technically advanced to recognise that and stop you if you try is another thing.
When you buy the ticket look for one that allows breaks in the journey. Have a look at the ticket descriptions on trainline or FCC's website to see which ones they are.
When you buy the ticket look for one that allows breaks in the journey. Have a look at the ticket descriptions on trainline or FCC's website to see which ones they are.
May 14, 2015, 4:31 am
#6
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I think you can only do this if you don't get a cheap advance fare since that won't allow a break during the journey - whether the ticket and barrier are technically advanced to recognise that and stop you if you try is another thing.
When you buy the ticket look for one that allows breaks in the journey. Have a look at the ticket descriptions on trainline or FCC's website to see which ones they are.
When you buy the ticket look for one that allows breaks in the journey. Have a look at the ticket descriptions on trainline or FCC's website to see which ones they are.
Any day single or return on that particular route will allow a break of journey so you'll be fine. All season tickets allow a break of journey. Just don't buy an Advance ticket.
May 14, 2015, 4:34 am
#8
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May 14, 2015, 4:58 am
#11
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May 14, 2015, 4:59 am
#12
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May 14, 2015, 5:27 am
#15
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An anytime single from East Croydon to Gatwick is £4.50 on Thameslink. Just make sure that your chosen train actually stops at East Croydon. Off Peak, a single oyster journey from London to East Croydon is only £3 I think, although if you use an oyster, you'll have to actually get off at East Croydon, exit through the barriers to swipe out, then get the next LGW train. A paper ticket will probably be around £5.
From West Hampsted, this method normally saves around a fiver off each one way journey.