Question about the Gatwick Express

vyle

I've bought my train tickets to get to Gatwick Airport for next week, and usually the tickets say something like "all routes valid to X." Does that mean that I'd be able to catch the Gatwick Express, or is that normally excluded from normal train routes?

I'm sure last time I went to Gatwick I did get on the GEX but I can't remember.

gazzarh

I purchased my tickets at my local station(in merseyside)(this was only 2 months ago) return to gatwick with a family and friends railcard, total was 65 for me and my child return. it was valid on the gatwick express as i travelled on it and it was checked by the conductor on the train. it was £60 return just to euston from merseyside, imagine my horror as i sat on the express to gatwick when folks where paying £18 for a one way trip- more fool them i suppose. If youre not sure just ask at your local train station for confirmation, but it should be fine as it is as you said a valid route. Another example of the way train companies rip off the general public.

lovebargainshatewaste

It really depends on what your ticket says. If it says "Southern" or something similar, it won't be valid on the Express. You can check with any ticket office, I think.

Presuming you're travelling to Gatwick from Victoria, the "normal" train takes anything between 42 to 60 mins, depending on which train you get. The quickest (apart from the Express) is the train that has 4 stops before Gatwick (Clapham, East Croydon, Redhill and possibly another).

I'm not sure if you know Victoria well, but the trains to Gatwick (apart from the Express) usually leave from platforms 16-19, to the right of the Express as you look at the tracks.

Westin

As the previous poster has said, it will show as an exclusion on the ticket if you can't use the Gatwick Express. Guards check tickets on this rail service so don't risk it if you are unsure. Perhaps ask one of the staff before boarding.
I wouldn't pay the higher cost for the Gatwick Express unless travelling with the commuter rush. Southern services are only slightly slower.

dzug1

The Gatwick Express is often included at no extra charge on long distance tickets - it's on local journeys that it's extra.

I would guess the wording is chosen from - any permitted, not Gatwick Express, Southern only or FCC only

pompeyrich

lovebargainshatewaste wrote: »

Presuming you're travelling to Gatwick from Victoria, the "normal" train takes anything between 42 to 60 mins, depending on which train you get. The quickest (apart from the Express) is the train that has 4 stops before Gatwick (Clapham, East Croydon, Redhill and possibly another).

I'm not sure if you know Victoria well, but the trains to Gatwick (apart from the Express) usually leave from platforms 16-19, to the right of the Express as you look at the tracks.

Gat Ex is timetabled at 30 mins journey time. The fastest non-express is timetabled to take 31 mins stopping at Claphan Junc. and E. Croydon. There are up to 5 non GE trains per hour, the longest journey time is 38 mins.

If you are able to book in advance and subject to availability the cheapest single is £3.65.

vyle

The route Thetrainline gave me is from Kings X to london bridge (nearly an hour) and then london bridge to Gatwick. Victoria, however, is about 15 mins, so I'll go there and if I cant get the GEX I'll just ride a different train.

Thanks for the replies everyone :money:

dzug1

London Bridge is 11 minutes from Kings Cross by underground - on line itineraries allow a generous allowance for delays in the transfer.

What sort of ticket do you have? Advance, off peak or anytime? An advance ticket would only be valid on the trains thetrainline has booked for you. Off peak/anytime would be valid on the Gatwick Express unless it says not.

apt

If you are arriving at Kings Cross you could get a train to Gatwick direct from St Pancras avoiding the hassle of the underground.

dzug1

apt wrote: »

If you are arriving at Kings Cross you could get a train to Gatwick direct from St Pancras avoiding the hassle of the underground.

I would guess it's a weekend when you can't

yorkie2

Westin wrote: »

As the previous poster has said, it will show as an exclusion on the ticket if you can't use the Gatwick Express.

I know this thread is a few months old now, but it's worth mentioning: Southern now operate the Gatwick Express.

Condition 10 of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage state that tickets may be restricted to those of a particular "company", in this case Southern.

Southern were reluctant to admit this, as they like to pretend to be a "different company" when they are operating the Gatwick Express service to customers, in order to charge more money. However they've been busted, as someone got an FOI response from the DfT that confirms that "neither Stansted Express nor Gatwick Express are a train operating company"

In addition some people who were charged extra on the Gatwick Express on the basis that they were a separate company, have been refunded in full by Southern.

There is also a statement on the Gatwick Express website at the bottom of each page: "© Gatwick Express is operated by Southern."

So, no need to pay more for the Gatwick Express, and if you are charged an excess fare, we can help you get your money back.