Gatwick to London - Oyster more expensive than single/return ticket?!

mrleee3

I regularly commute from Gatwick train station to London Bridge around 3 times a week and have been using an oyster card which is £30.20 return (peak). I was looking at train fares on the national rail site and found buying a normal return ticket (peak) is £21.10 - almost 30% cheaper! I am so annoyed about this especially as Oyster/contactless is promoted as the cheapest option, even by the staff at Gatwick! Does anyone know why this is and whether there is a way to get Oyster at the same price as a ticket? It is so inconvenient queuing for a ticket machine at Gatwick at rush hour! Thanks

giraffe69

Southern Railways say
"Whilst a daily cap will apply; it is important to be aware that it will not always be cheaper than buying a return paper ticket. There will also be a weekly price cap for those using a Contactless card or mobile device; but it will still be cheaper to buy a season ticket on the Key Smartcard or paper"

bubieyehyeh

There is way to use oyster reduce each way to £21.20, saving £9 a day, but you it requires a little more time and inconvience. Get off at east croydon, leave and immediately re-enter the station.



Alteratively you can get the southern key smartcard and activate keygo, which will charge paper ticket price to your card the following morning.

jbuchanangb

Or - if you know when your next trip is going to be, book on-line and collect the ticket from the machine at Gatwick in the evening when your return from the previous trip. Queues at machine probably shorter, and less time pressure.

yorkie2

There are several myths regarding Oyster:


- that it eliminates loopholes, anomalies and that it is never cheaper to tap out mid-way through a journey and tap back in again (aka "splitting");
- that it is always cheaper;
- that the fares for travel at 'peak' times are always reasonable (they often aren't!);
- that the times defined as 'peak' are always the same as for paper tickets (again, they often aren't!)
- that Railcard holders can get a discount at all times, including all times when paper tickets would be discounted such as the evening peak


As this thread proves, these myths are all false.