Tube/train travel in London to Gatwick

sibx

Hi there,

I apologise first if it is poor etiquette to ask for help on a first post.

I have a query regarding the cheapest ways to get around in London, specifically from Kings Cross to Gatwick Airport. In 10 days I am going to being flying out from the airport, and we have our train tickets booked down to Kings Cross, but have not booked any under/overground tickets as yet.

I remember getting a quote for a price of around £11 if paying on the day, but I wondered if it would work out cheaper to use an Oyster card, on a pay as you go basis? If so, how exactly does this work? Can I apply beforehand and pick the card up in person at the station, or posted out?

Previously I have always paid on the day but I am trying to cut costs this time round if possible!

Many thanks in advance for anybody who has any advice to give.

Simon

dzug1

The area covered by an Oyster card doesn't extend as far as Gatwick so it would be a waste of time and money for you to get one.

There are through trains from St Pancras International (right next door to Kings Cross) to Gatwick (though check for engineering work if it's a weekend) and you might as well buy on the day - there's no advance saving on this route.

sibx

Hmm, the price I am quoted in paying in advance for that journey (direct from St Pancras to Gatwick) is £15. I know its cheaper to do split the journey between St Pancras - Victoria then Victoria - Gatwick. Something like £3 advance for the second journey.

It is the tube trip between St Pancras and Victoria that I am enquiring about, just wondering if it is cheaper to get an Oyster card for that. Bearing in mind I will obviously be making the return journey after returning to these shores.

dzug1

sibx wrote: »

Hmm, the price I am quoted in paying in advance for that journey (direct from St Pancras to Gatwick) is £15. I know its cheaper to do split the journey between St Pancras - Victoria then Victoria - Gatwick. Something like £3 advance for the second journey.

It is the tube trip between St Pancras and Victoria that I am enquiring about, just wondering if it is cheaper to get an Oyster card for that. Bearing in mind I will obviously be making the return journey after returning to these shores.

New one on me, but yes, there is a £3 advance fare on Southern from Victoria Gatwick. I had thought it was only to Brighton.

St Pancras to Victoria is £4.
With an Oyster it's £1.60

Just buy the Oyster at Kings Cross/St Pancras underground station. You will have to specify a sum of money to put on it and pay a £3 refundable deposit.

You can get it sent to you by post - the only time I did that it got lost and had to be replaced which took several weeks.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ will give details

St Pancras to Gatwick direct is £8.90 single £17 return, buy on the day - don't know where your higher price comes from

MarkyMarkD

Just by the by, but the level of Oyster discounts is now completely ridiculous.

For the fare you are quoting, non-Oyster customers are being charged a premium of 150% over the Oyster fare.

As far as I can see it's just a way to con money out of non-Londoners.

alanrowell

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

As far as I can see it's just a way to con money out of non-Londoners.

Or discouraging people from buying single fares - just buy an Oystercard for £3 deposit, then put £10 on it & you are covered for at least 2 days of travel

UNLESS you are travelling with a friend & being a tourist in which case buting a Travelcard at the TRAIN STATION booking office will work out cheaper as you can use www.daysoutguide.com

MarkyMarkD

But why shouldn't people buy single fares? In no other part of the country are non-locals (or the uninitiated) ripped off in such a way. And London has more overseas tourists than almost any other city in the world.

omelette451

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

But why shouldn't people buy single fares? In no other part of the country are non-locals (or the uninitiated) ripped off in such a way. And London has more overseas tourists than almost any other city in the world.

When Oyster was first introduced you had to live in London to get one. Now anyone can have one, so the only people being ripped off are those who are too lazy to bother. The London tourist board markets and sells them overseas, so clued-up visitors actually arrive better prepared here than in most places. I live in the north and pass through London only very rarely, yet do still have an Oyster card.

As for the OP, it might be worth looking up easybus.co.uk for connections to Gatwick. If that's no good and you don't manage to get a SN £3 ADV SGL, go for the Thameslink from Kings Cross/St Pancras - it's much easier than carrying yourself and your luggage across on the tube.