St Pancras to Gatwick returns

holidaysaver75 · 23 Jun 18, 09:38 PM

Just looking at booking the tickets above. If I select the 13.25 out and the 8am back it’s Ł92 but if I select the 9.25am it’s Ł52. Logical, I’m thinking - costs more at peak times? But it says on Trainline that these are any time singles, so if I pay less based on the later train can I still travel on the earlier one? Am I missing something really obvious?

duchy · 23 Jun 18, 09:51 PM

Your original thought was correct.
If you travel on a peak service with an off peak ticket the ticket inspector will charge you the fare difference and possibly a fine, that's if you can get to the train at all as the barrier won't open for an off peak ticket at peak times.

Anytime as in any train that day but still restricted to peak or off peak depending on the fare paid.

holidaysaver75 · 24 Jun 18, 12:28 AM

That’s exactly what I assumed it must be so I’ve been back and checked but I get the same price if I just put in an open return. It says no restrictions, return within one month. I just keep thinking it can’t be right.

ChrisS · 24 Jun 18, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysaver75

Just looking at booking the tickets above. If I select the 13.25 out and the 8am back it’s Ł92 but if I select the 9.25am it’s Ł52. Logical, I’m thinking - costs more at peak times? But it says on Trainline that these are any time singles, so if I pay less based on the later train can I still travel on the earlier one? Am I missing something really obvious?

Have you priced up singles? I ask as the time we did St Pan to LGW [admittedly 6 years ago!) the fare was Ł9.60pp. Also check out TPE and Virgin Trains as they don't make a booking charge. The other alternative is using Tesco points for 3X Red Spotted Hanky, they charge Ł1 for the whole booking, not per person, but as Ł10 of Tesco points will give Ł30 of RSH a Ł1 booking fee is acceptable

mossyflossy · 24 Jun 18, 02:16 PM

I suspect it will be much cheaper if you use your oyster/debit card as Gatwick is now in the Oyster zone and subject to the daily cap.

Warkman58 · 24 Jun 18, 03:57 PM

It’s the same for us. Leamington to Heathrow is Ł125 for 3 adults.
Leamington to Marylebone Ł62 return in a month, then Ł5 for tube tickets

RML2418 · 24 Jun 18, 08:26 PM

Can I firstly suggest never using The Trainline as they do not sell anything that cannot be purchased form a train operator web site or ticket office, and they charge fees.

In the case of London to Gatwick, often buying a ticket to Three Bridges (one stop further) is a lot cheaper, but you must ensure you buy one that is valid for 'break of journey'. That way you can legitimately leave the train at Gatwick and of course get back on there on your way home! This is allowed under the rules.

Happy to help anyone struggling to find an appropriate fare.

loldis · 24 Jun 18, 08:52 PM

There's no off peak pricing for trains to/from Gatwick, they only sell any time fares. Which is why the above advice to buy a ticket to Three Bridges is valid, since it falls into off peak pricing. However this typically only works for off peak day returns, two singles to/from TBD will be more expensive than two singles to/from GTW.

I don't know your dates but from what I can see on random dates, an 8am departure puts you on the Gatwick Express service to Victoria followed by the tube to St Pancras rather than the much cheaper Thameslink service direct to St Pancras. A Thameslink ticket should be around Ł10 per person where the GEX+tube in peak hour is about Ł25 combined.

Suggest purchasing your tickets directly from Thameslink so you're definitely on the right fare codes.

mossyflossy · 25 Jun 18, 03:37 PM

Yes definitely Thameslink between St Pancras and Gatwick, very easy journey and no struggling with luggage on the tube, about Ł10 per single ticket.

23 Jun 18, 09:51 PM	#2
	23 Jun 18, 09:51 PM duchy Imagineer
duchy Imagineer Join Date: May 04 Location: Kent	Your original thought was correct. If you travel on a peak service with an off peak ticket the ticket inspector will charge you the fare difference and possibly a fine, that's if you can get to the train at all as the barrier won't open for an off peak ticket at peak times. Anytime as in any train that day but still restricted to peak or off peak depending on the fare paid. Edited at 09:54 PM.

24 Jun 18, 08:26 PM	#7
	24 Jun 18, 08:26 PM RML2418 New Poster (4)
RML2418 New Poster (4) Join Date: Jul 11	Can I firstly suggest never using The Trainline as they do not sell anything that cannot be purchased form a train operator web site or ticket office, and they charge fees. In the case of London to Gatwick, often buying a ticket to Three Bridges (one stop further) is a lot cheaper, but you must ensure you buy one that is valid for '*break of journey*'. That way you can legitimately leave the train at Gatwick and of course get back on there on your way home! This is allowed under the rules. Happy to help anyone struggling to find an appropriate fare.

24 Jun 18, 08:52 PM	#8
	24 Jun 18, 08:52 PM loldis Imagineer
loldis Imagineer Join Date: May 17 Location: Sussex	There's no off peak pricing for trains to/from Gatwick, they only sell any time fares. Which is why the above advice to buy a ticket to Three Bridges is valid, since it falls into off peak pricing. However this typically only works for off peak day returns, two singles to/from TBD will be more expensive than two singles to/from GTW. I don't know your dates but from what I can see on random dates, an 8am departure puts you on the Gatwick Express service to Victoria followed by the tube to St Pancras rather than the much cheaper Thameslink service direct to St Pancras. A Thameslink ticket should be around Ł10 per person where the GEX+tube in peak hour is about Ł25 combined. Suggest purchasing your tickets directly from Thameslink so you're definitely on the right fare codes.