Gatwick Express Or drive
Mar 22, 2017, 1:45 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
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The road from Gatwick into London is horrendous, even off-peak. It's all surface streets, through Croydon, Streatham and Brixton, badly congested and full of London driving quirks. There is an arguably better route through Rose Hill, but it's still going to be slow and frustrating.
Mar 22, 2017, 9:04 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
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(Also, Southern trains are green and white, the Express trains are red.)
The Southern trains are almost as fast as the Express, they'll stop at East Croydon and Clapham Junction on the way to Victoria.
The Southern trains are almost as fast as the Express, they'll stop at East Croydon and Clapham Junction on the way to Victoria.
And of course although the GEx timetable is designed so that the services have clear paths into Victoria, it doesn't always happen and all GTR trains may just stop randomly with little explanation from the driver.
Indeed, Thameslink trains have not run on time in the past 2-3 years of taking them, except when Southern was not operating all all due to their strikes...
This is partly because Thameslink trains are routed via Crystal Palace and Herne Hill while London Bridge station and surrounding tracks are being rebuilt, so the situation may improve when this is done in early 2018.
Mar 22, 2017, 9:10 am
#18
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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While the service is far from impeccable, particularly with the recent industrial action, it's not that bad:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...=all&order=wtt
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...=all&order=wtt
Mar 22, 2017, 10:06 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
You can't rely on the train colour to identify it. It's all one company (GoVia) and they can and do swap rolling stock between the different brands.
GoVia are one of the most useless / infuriating / customer-unfriendly organisations you will ever encounter - but taking the train is still a million times less painful than dealing with the traffic in south London.
GoVia are one of the most useless / infuriating / customer-unfriendly organisations you will ever encounter - but taking the train is still a million times less painful than dealing with the traffic in south London.
Jun 11, 2017, 6:31 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
The southern railways site makes me choose a time. Am I locked into a time for the Gatwick-Victoria ?
I have spple pay but my wife doesn't. Am I correct that we each need it (or something similar) to use it? Or can I cover us both.
Thanks in advance!
I have spple pay but my wife doesn't. Am I correct that we each need it (or something similar) to use it? Or can I cover us both.
Thanks in advance!
Jun 11, 2017, 5:58 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1,117
Otherwise no (though if it is an 'off-peak' ticket then it cannot be used during peak times).
i.e. One card or device per person.
Jun 12, 2017, 12:47 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Why are you trying to buy tickets in advance? On this route, cheap "advance" tickets are rare, and won't save much. As the oyster off-peak fare is only £8.10, it's far simpler to use that. You can get this easily in arrival, don't try and do this before arrival.
Jun 12, 2017, 12:54 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
Thanks! It seemed that if I bought them in advance, I would have to pick up paper tickets - I was thinking of advance to skip
the queue but it doesn't seem like I would.
i am going off peak and have Oyster cards so will get them at the station.
the queue but it doesn't seem like I would.
i am going off peak and have Oyster cards so will get them at the station.
Jun 12, 2017, 7:03 am
#24
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Join Date: Nov 2011
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