Getting to Gatwick from underground network

[DTR]

This seems like such a basic question I can’t believe I’m asking it… But can I just tap and use contactless to travel to/from LGW and london terminals? I’m be travelling on the Elizabeth line and getting Thameslink from Farringdon.

You’d think it would be clear, but the Thameslink and TFL sites are rather confusing. TFL show it on the map but as ‘out of zones’ and the TFL planner wants me to go via Heathrow on a bus!

Thanks so much for any wisdom

[Skywalker]

Oyster or Contactless to LGW – yes.

[redlilly]

Yes – though make sure you tap the contactless card reader, which is on the left at the top of the escalators (from the lizzie line). This is to register the interchange.

[Super Secret Stuff]

Yes, see here https://www.southernrailway.com/tickets/smartcards-oyster-and-plusbus/contactless

Southern and thameslink are run by the same company, however southern is the station operator at Gatwick I believe so they have more details

[John]

Look out for GTR strikes or engineering, that may be the reason TfL wants you to take NatEx from LHR.

Touching out at East Croydon and immediately touching back in reduces the fare by £3 to £10 depending on your starting point. But with luggage and crowds it’s often annoying to do so. (Similar situation to anyone taking the tube from or through Zone 1 to Heathrow, the fare can be reduced by going out and in at Hatton Cross, but that station only has stairs.)

redlilly wrote:

Yes – though make sure you tap the contactless card reader, which is on the left at the top of the escalators (from the lizzie line). This is to register the interchange.

There is no need to do this as Farringdon is on the default route. The readers at Farringdon are only for people who are interchanging between oyster/contactless and a paper/barcode ticket there.

On contactless it doesn’t matter that much because RPIs can’t see your travel history in real time. But if using Oyster you should absolutely NOT touch at Farringdon. GTR has stepped up RPI presence on the BML this year, and when you touch at Farringdon you will end your journey so you will appear to an RPI as outside the system and be liable to prosecution (and worse, miss your flight while you are held up). Although the readers are set to Continuation Exit, so provided that you don’t get caught, Oyster will still let you out at Gatwick and charge you correctly.

[Andrew.]

Where are you starting your journey?

Although the TFL planner is sending you via Heathrow on the direct hourly LHR-LGW Airline(?) service, this may well be the quickest journey with minimum changes (probably wouldn’t be the cheapest route).

[redlilly]

John wrote:

Look out for GTR strikes or engineering, that may be the reason TfL wants you to take NatEx from LHR.

Touching out at East Croydon and immediately touching back in reduces the fare by £3 to £10 depending on your starting point. But with luggage and crowds it’s often annoying to do so. (Similar situation to anyone taking the tube from or through Zone 1 to Heathrow, the fare can be reduced by going out and in at Hatton Cross, but that station only has stairs.)

redlilly wrote:

Yes – though make sure you tap the contactless card reader, which is on the left at the top of the escalators (from the lizzie line). This is to register the interchange.

There is no need to do this as Farringdon is on the default route. The readers at Farringdon are only for people who are interchanging between oyster/contactless and a paper/barcode ticket there.

On contactless it doesn’t matter that much because RPIs can’t see your travel history in real time. But if using Oyster you should absolutely NOT touch at Farringdon. GTR has stepped up RPI presence on the BML this year, and when you touch at Farringdon you will end your journey so you will appear to an RPI as outside the system and be liable to prosecution (and worse, miss your flight while you are held up). Although the readers are set to Continuation Exit, so provided that you don’t get caught, Oyster will still let you out at Gatwick and charge you correctly.

Interesting. Learn something new every day. Signs say to touch if interchanging. Bit misleading I guess, especially for tourists.

However, on reflection they’re not pink like the ones at say Canada Water or Whitechapel. Know now not to touch in future!! Thanks.