Oyster 60+ and train travel from Victoria to Gatwick airport

katejo

I will very soon be eligible for a 60 + card but not for a couple more weeks. In a chance conversation with someone who had the card, I was told that it allows travel from Victoria to Gatwick Airport (Southern Rail not Gatwick Express) but, on the return journey, it is necessary to pay for a ticket as far as East Croydon. I rang Oyster and asked about this but they said it was incorrect and wouldn't be valid to travel the whole way to Gatwick or back again. Has anyone else used it in this way? I am asking because my new 60+ pass will become valid while I am away on holiday abroad. I won't risk taking it with me if I am not able to use it on the way back. 

macman

Validity in one direction only makes no sense. My understanding is that you'll need a ticket from the boundary station (zone 6), which is Coulsdon South, to Gatwick, and the same on return.

katejo

macman said:

Validity in one direction only makes no sense. My understanding is that you'll need a ticket from the boundary station (zone 6), which is Coulsdon South, to Gatwick, and the same on return.

Yes I thought it was odd. I am also applying for a senior citizen railcard but it won't let me apply until 5 days before the birthday so I probably won't receive it in time to use on my way back. 

martindow

macman said:

Validity in one direction only makes no sense. My understanding is that you'll need a ticket from the boundary station (zone 6), which is Coulsdon South, to Gatwick, and the same on return.

The good news is that as the Oyster is a zonal ticket, the train you catch doesn't need to stop at Coulsdon South.  This is different to split ticketing where it sometimes means you have to get a slow stopping train to make the saving.