best and cheapest way gatwick to london then getting around london
Jan 22, 2016, 10:05 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Fares are identical for oyster or contactless bank card.
Whether you can use your bank card depends on whether it has the contactless symbol - looks like a wifi symbol - on the card. In technical terms - if it contains an embedded RFID card.
Whether you can use your bank card depends on whether it has the contactless symbol - looks like a wifi symbol - on the card. In technical terms - if it contains an embedded RFID card.
Jan 22, 2016, 10:06 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lancashire, UK
Posts: 2,096
Here's the contactless symbol on a card:
Jan 22, 2016, 11:52 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, HH Diamond, Radisson Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, Shangri La Jade
Posts: 264
you can. the fares are exactly the same but you need to ensure you won't get hit with bank charges!
Jan 22, 2016, 5:05 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 130
ok tks , my card has that , ill have to check with marriot visa to much sure its going to work , there is no fees on this card I'm told , just exchange rate which our dollar is less than half of britsh pound , why I'm trying to keep my cost down if I can .
Jan 29, 2016, 7:23 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
If you have a contactless credit/debit card, you don't need to bother with Oyster, you'll simply have whatever your spend (capped at a daily rate) charged to you daily.
Otherwise, with Oyster, this tool tells you the fares:
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment...le-fare-finder
and these are the daily/weekly caps:
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/2016-adult-fares.pdf
If you're wondering what the zones are referring to:
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rai...rvices-map.pdf
Gatwick is a special, non-zonal fare, however.
Otherwise, with Oyster, this tool tells you the fares:
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment...le-fare-finder
and these are the daily/weekly caps:
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/2016-adult-fares.pdf
If you're wondering what the zones are referring to:
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rai...rvices-map.pdf
Gatwick is a special, non-zonal fare, however.
Jan 29, 2016, 7:32 am
#36
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Ah, you're right, there is a cap. According to the ever helpful oyster-rail:
http://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/2016/0...er-at-gatwick/
it's Ł19 off-peak, Ł30.50 peak (i.e. before 09:30 M-F). Which is actually more than the paper travelcard equivalent (and not valid for the 2-for-1 offers, natch).
http://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/2016/0...er-at-gatwick/
it's Ł19 off-peak, Ł30.50 peak (i.e. before 09:30 M-F). Which is actually more than the paper travelcard equivalent (and not valid for the 2-for-1 offers, natch).
Jan 29, 2016, 7:52 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Ah, thanks. That blog seems to indicate that if Southern use gates 13 and 14 you get charged the express fare, which kind of sucks. Do they allow you to tap in at a different gate if Southern departs or arrives from those gates?
Jan 29, 2016, 8:35 am
#38
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
It's all very new, so I'm not sure what they do.
I thought I'd have a look at the platform usage (yes, I'm bored at work):
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...=all&order=wtt
Looks like some of the overnight Southern services have been using 13/14. And that there's a handful of GEX services using other platforms. So, while Southern rarely use 13/14 during the day (I've certainly never seen it), it's not completely out of the question.
I thought I'd have a look at the platform usage (yes, I'm bored at work):
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...=all&order=wtt
Looks like some of the overnight Southern services have been using 13/14. And that there's a handful of GEX services using other platforms. So, while Southern rarely use 13/14 during the day (I've certainly never seen it), it's not completely out of the question.
Mar 16, 2016, 10:16 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Just a small FYI -- no way to refund Oyster card deposit and credit at Gatwick, at least as of a couple of days ago. So, I'm stuck with a couple of Oyster cards with 9 pounds or so with no imminent plans to return. Looks like there is a way to do it online, but it's a hassle. So, just a heads up if LGW is your port of departure. Anyway, if I had it to do over, I probably would have put 20 pounds less on Oyster, refunded Oyster at Victoria, and bought a paper ticket on Southern for Gatwick.
Mar 16, 2016, 12:33 pm
#40
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Mar 16, 2016, 1:44 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
I figured that since Oyster can now be used for Southern trains that there would be an Oyster machine there -- there seems to be a machine at most stations now that will process refunds. But, yup, no machine there, just National Rail stuff.
Mar 17, 2016, 9:07 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1,117
See here for further info on TfL Visitor Centres (what used to be called Travel & Information Centres).