Contactless vs Travelcard from Luton to Olympia

steveyme

Apologies if this is a really simple question, but I don't use trains that often! I am making a visit to the Food Show in Olympia this week, and I had intended at Luton to buy an all day travel card. i think these are about £20-30? But by chance I stumbled across a website that said it would be cheaper just to use a contactless card. Is this true? Is it really as simple as using it like I have seen people use Oyster cards, just pressing it against the card machines on the barriers? And would anyone know if that journey would have any of those 'pink gates' you are supposed to use if you see them? Thanks if you know!, Steve

PS. Oh and also, does contactless still have on peak and off peak times, so that I would be better of leaving later in the morning at a certain time?

Kite2010

Oyster/Contactless isn't valid at Luton

The cheapest option is probably buying a Luton - Kensington Olympia "via West Hampstead" off-peak day return, changing at West Hampstead for a London Overground service towards Willesden Junction.

steveyme

oh thats disappointing! thanks so much for your suggestion, much appreciated.

steveyme

Kite2010 wrote: »

Oyster/Contactless isn't valid at Luton

The cheapest option is probably buying a Luton - Kensington Olympia "via West Hampstead" off-peak day return, changing at West Hampstead for a London Overground service towards Willesden Junction.

Thanks again for your advice. In the end I got a travelcard on super off peak which was about £16 and the kind person next to me told me that worked all day on Saturdays, but the stations were spot on! Why would the stupid ticket machine have happily let me buy a full price travelcard when it knew it was Saturday?!