I misspoke and said the Thameslink when I meant Southern. Please disregard that, and please remember to double check your route on the day of your trip.
Hi, Thanks for the video! However, I am a bit confused now by your above comment. We are planning to fly into LGW and to take the ThamesLink to St Patras station. Was this video showing & explaining how to catch the ThamesLink? Or was it about the Southern? I think those are two different trains from LGW to London, correct? You had mentioned somewhere in your video #2 that when travelling outside of London, you can't just tap on - you need to buy a ticket. So for riding ThamesLink from LGW to St Patras, can we just tap on with a credit card? Thanks, John :)
you are at the SOUTH terminal, aye? so if I arrive at the northern terminal I'll need to catch the transit first ... correct? (sorry for the spam, but we fly in foud weeks ....)
Thank you for sharing! I am getting myself a British Rail Pass and I don't plan on getting a reserved seat. Once I got into the train, how do I know the seat is not reserved? Thanks.
Thanks for the video! Very well done. We will be in London for 9 days and intend to buy the Oyster Card at the Train Station Ticket machine. We will take the Thameslink train up to BlackFriars. At the ticket machine, do I have to buy a Train ticket or load enough money in my Oyster Card for train, Tube and buses? Thanks from Montreal!!
I'm going to London the July and I saw that I can buy Thameslink tickets online for 49£ (2 people outbound+return, so like 12£ for a ride ) for an anytime date (like flexible ticket). Is it cheaper than buying it on the go or it's the same? How much does it cost the thameslink tapping the card on the conctactless barrier? Thank you in advance!
@@grassytramtracks yeah thanks! I've been in London and tried to pay directly on the go and turns out it costs £9.50 (from Gatwick to Farringdon, where I stayed).
Does that ‘tapping in and out’ work out the same price as booking a train ticket in advance please? I’m a first time traveler going from Gatwick to Brighton next month and slightly nervous, many thanks 👍
Hi you’ll need to buy a ticket to go to Brighton. Tapping in and out only works within the 6 zones of London. I’d recommend booking online in advance for the best price. Good luck!
Dear Emily, thank for you video. Just a question; when I land in Gatwick take always Gatwick express to Victoria, but in your video you take southern train. Is correct? So I don’t need to buy tickets in advance If I take southern train to Victoria. Grazie Andrea.
Thanks Emily for your video. We are 2 seniors travelling from Montreal to London and UK. We will have 2 check in luggages, 1 carry one luggage and 2 backpacks. I was told that Gatwick Express (less crowdy) regarding space availability for our luggage was best option compare to Thames Link. Is is correct? Thanks!!
Yes the Gatwick express is more spacious and comfortable. If it goes to the destination you need and you don’t mind paying a little more than Thameslink then I’d recommend doing that. Hope you have a great trip!
I found this video because I will arrive at 11pm I was worried about how to go to Whitechapel. Thanks! I just dont understand why do I need tap twice at barrier? I'm paying twice?
You’re not paying twice. Transport on tubs and trains within London is charged based on how far you go so tapping out just tells the system where your journey ends.
hi:) thank you so much for this video! how long do you think it takes to get from the plane landing to the train station if landing in the south terminal? plane lands at 8pm:)
Gatwick to Farringdon (Thameslink) is £24.50 with return ticket if you pay it online beforehand. Will it be cheaper if I just tap my credit card or my Oyster card? I think both are off peak times. Departure 13:00, Arrival 10:00.
Hi! Do you mind helping me about the fastest manner to arrive these airports. How to arrive to the LGW airport at 06:00 (or before) on Saturday (the flight departs at 08:00)? How to arrive to the LTN airport at 05:30 (or before) on Saturday (the flight departs at 07:30)? I don't have my Host's Address yet (please suppose I'm in some Station of Central London) Thanks in advance!
Hello. I am thinking to visit London on Christmas, however the hotels are really expensive in the center, so I would like to know if it possible to stay in a hotel close from Gatwick airport and travel each day to the center using the train?
I already bought a ticket with Southern from Gatwick to London in a week. I have to get the ticket from a specific machine in Gatwick with a code and my contactless. Where is that machine ?
Yes, from the north terminal there is a tram to the south terminal. Follow the signs to the train and you’ll find it. Once you get off the tram, you’ll exit right next to the train station.
Thank you Emily, this is helpful. I am coming after 3 weeks. quick question, Can I use my visa card to tap in? if yes do I have to tap in again when I get off?
I wonder how does that work, tapping twice seems like paying twice. Weird. When you tap in it immediately charges full amount and then refunds partially at tap out or how does that work? We’re visiting London in June and I’m getting kinda confused with so many options to use different payment methods and train companies. That’s what we get living in a small country hahah 😅
Is there some kind of 2-week pass that allows you to use it on any subway train, any bus? I was originally going to land in London Gatwick Airport but I changed it to Heathrow Airport because it is only a 1 ride to get to the hostel from Heathrow vs. multiple from Gatwick. I have to take the healthrow express and get off somewhere around Paddington Station. If I took Gatwick, I would have to get off Marylebone. Or is there a station that is more recommended, more safe? I'm getting off at night around 8:15 p.m. on a Friday night at Paddington Station. Is there a preference of using US dollars vs. pounds? I'm coming from Los Angeles and my friend told me its cheaper to use the currency of the country you're in over US dollars because of overcharging. And then, when I want to go to places like Big Ben, London Eye, it requires me to get on Marylebone and take either of these trains - Southern (Green), Thameslink (white and colored train), and Jubilee (red train), Bakerloo, Overground, Victoria. I am so worried, I'm taking my first alone trip and want to have a train ticket pass to make things easier if possible. Worried about costs too. My hostel is on Cosway St and Bell Street - Bell House Hostel but I haven't booked it yet because there are too many to choose from. There's others like Publove White Chapel but am worried of dangeorous areas. I've heard of Oystercards or TravelCards, worried about getting lost, etc.
Cool video !! how much will the destination cost be by train to Farnham from Gatwick? Uber price is 70£ ..i hope by train will be the cheapest..any reccomends? .thanks..Pat
One important question please. Does LGW have storage lockers - I have a 14 hour layover (06:30-20:30) and I just want to see London for a day. It wold be nice if I don’t have to take my carry on outside of the airport. Thank you!
You can get a train to Cardiff from Paddington station. To get to Paddington, you can take the Thameslink train to Farringdon and then get the Elizabeth line to Paddington. I’d recommend double checking on google maps the day of your journey for the timetables.
Best way is not to go through London at all, because there are hourly trains from Gatwick airport to Reading around London, and from there you can get trains to Cardiff
We will be in London in June for the day, I noticed that the train tickets are for specific times, what if we missed our time , could we catch the next train 🤔?
I would recommend waiting until you get to the airport to buy your ticket or just use a contactless credit card to tap on, so you don’t need to buy a ticket at all.
If it says advance ticket then that means it's for a specific train, but otherwise it's not, even if you're choosing a specific train when you buy your ticket
So you can just use contactless if you’re going on Thameslink? Like, you don’t need to stop and buy a ticket from the machine? A little confused as to what I would do if train staff asked to see proof of payment while on the train.
Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving the 6 zones of London. Sometimes train staff or the transport police will come around with a small machine and you just tap the card you paid with and it shows them you’ve paid. I’m not entirely sure how it works, but it’s happened to me a few times and they’ve always been able to tell that I’ve paid.
@@emily_meadows cool! I’m just gonna do this when I arrive tomorrow. I’m so tired of looking at videos lol. Why do they make the train system soooo complicated? And so many websites to book tickets from 🫠 thanks for the advice!
@@emily_meadows They normally don't, its not at all common to see staff between Gatwick and London stations checking tickets because they actually can't tell that you've paid because they don't have the machine aforementioned.
The 50 minute trains are the ones that stop at Merstham, Horley and Redhill, and also sometimes Earlswood and Salfords. don't get them because the faster trains will overtake them
There are also other southern trains to London Victoria. It's the same price as Thameslink and it only takes two minutes longer than and is more frequent than the Gatwick Express. Thameslink is more convenient for going to London Bridge and the City of London and Victoria is more convenient for the west end. On Thameslink some of the trains are fast trains that don't stop much and those are obviously quicker than the stopping traisn
I misspoke and said the Thameslink when I meant Southern. Please disregard that, and please remember to double check your route on the day of your trip.
Hi, Thanks for the video! However, I am a bit confused now by your above comment. We are planning to fly into LGW and to take the ThamesLink to St Patras station. Was this video showing & explaining how to catch the ThamesLink? Or was it about the Southern?
I think those are two different trains from LGW to London, correct?
You had mentioned somewhere in your video #2 that when travelling outside of London, you can't just tap on - you need to buy a ticket. So for riding ThamesLink from LGW to St Patras, can we just tap on with a credit card?
Thanks, John :)
@@jkopvo thanks for this comment. I had that question about tapping a credit card and have seen that in another video too.
you are at the SOUTH terminal, aye? so if I arrive at the northern terminal I'll need to catch the transit first ... correct?
(sorry for the spam, but we fly in foud weeks ....)
I just got the wrong train because of this 😡🤬
@@jkopvothey’re the same company; it’s basically the Thameslink.
Very helpful. Love the clear step by step guide. And useful tips like moving down the platform.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for taking the time to make the video!
This is good information. It helps seeing the steps rather than just reading about it. Much less expensive than a taxi!
Thanks for sharing this very helpful .Im coming to London this coming October.. Well explain..
Simple and clear. Nicely done :)
If I pay with a contactless card, how does the system know that I traveled with Thameslink or Gatwick Express?
Thanks! This was helpful.
Goingt to Gatwick next month.
Cheers from Norway
Thank you so much this is so helpful
Thank you so much. Very helpful.
Thank you for sharing! I am getting myself a British Rail Pass and I don't plan on getting a reserved seat. Once I got into the train, how do I know the seat is not reserved? Thanks.
Thanks very much, I wanted to see the Pay 2 Go in action :D
you were lucky because when I reached Gatwick on 1 Feb there was no train service due to strike😭
Thanks for the video! Very well done. We will be in London for 9 days and intend to buy the Oyster Card at the Train Station Ticket machine. We will take the Thameslink train up to BlackFriars. At the ticket machine, do I have to buy a Train ticket or load enough money in my Oyster Card for train, Tube and buses? Thanks from Montreal!!
More information about "tap out" payment please. What app or pay system are you using?
EMV (Eurocard Mastercard Visa) contactless payments, eg Google Pay, Apple Pay, and most European credit cards.
I'm going to London the July and I saw that I can buy Thameslink tickets online for 49£ (2 people outbound+return, so like 12£ for a ride ) for an anytime date (like flexible ticket). Is it cheaper than buying it on the go or it's the same? How much does it cost the thameslink tapping the card on the conctactless barrier? Thank you in advance!
An anytime ticket is more expensive than an off peak ticket, but off peak only means outside the 6:30 to 9:30 and 16:00 to 19:00 rush hours
@@grassytramtracks yeah thanks! I've been in London and tried to pay directly on the go and turns out it costs £9.50 (from Gatwick to Farringdon, where I stayed).
What about the coach service? You forgot to mention that.
Does that ‘tapping in and out’ work out the same price as booking a train ticket in advance please?
I’m a first time traveler going from Gatwick to Brighton next month and slightly nervous, many thanks 👍
Hi you’ll need to buy a ticket to go to Brighton. Tapping in and out only works within the 6 zones of London. I’d recommend booking online in advance for the best price. Good luck!
Dear Emily, thank for you video. Just a question; when I land in Gatwick take always Gatwick express to Victoria, but in your video you take southern train. Is correct? So I don’t need to buy tickets in advance If I take southern train to Victoria. Grazie Andrea.
Thanks Emily for your video. We are 2 seniors travelling from Montreal to London and UK. We will have 2 check in luggages, 1 carry one luggage and 2 backpacks. I was told that Gatwick Express (less crowdy) regarding space availability for our luggage was best option compare to Thames Link. Is is correct? Thanks!!
Yes the Gatwick express is more spacious and comfortable. If it goes to the destination you need and you don’t mind paying a little more than Thameslink then I’d recommend doing that. Hope you have a great trip!
Hi is there a coin machine for the trolley? In travelling with 2 kids thats why i need i trolley. Thank you
I found this video because I will arrive at 11pm I was worried about how to go to Whitechapel.
Thanks!
I just dont understand why do I need tap twice at barrier? I'm paying twice?
You’re not paying twice. Transport on tubs and trains within London is charged based on how far you go so tapping out just tells the system where your journey ends.
hi:) thank you so much for this video! how long do you think it takes to get from the plane landing to the train station if landing in the south terminal? plane lands at 8pm:)
Gatwick to Farringdon (Thameslink) is £24.50 with return ticket if you pay it online beforehand. Will it be cheaper if I just tap my credit card or my Oyster card? I think both are off peak times. Departure 13:00, Arrival 10:00.
Also there’s the regular Southern service train (shown at 1:27)
What about going in revirse, how do I figure out which train to take to Gatwick? I'll be staying near Marylebone, Mayfair Soho...
Hi! Do you mind helping me about the fastest manner to arrive these airports.
How to arrive to the LGW airport at 06:00 (or before) on Saturday (the flight departs at 08:00)?
How to arrive to the LTN airport at 05:30 (or before) on Saturday (the flight departs at 07:30)?
I don't have my Host's Address yet (please suppose I'm in some Station of Central London)
Thanks in advance!
Hello. I am thinking to visit London on Christmas, however the hotels are really expensive in the center, so I would like to know if it possible to stay in a hotel close from Gatwick airport and travel each day to the center using the train?
I already bought a ticket with Southern from Gatwick to London in a week. I have to get the ticket from a specific machine in Gatwick with a code and my contactless. Where is that machine ?
What is the app that you used to buy the ticket from your phone?
you are at the SOUTH terminal, aye? so if I arrive at the northern terminal I'll need to catch the transit first ... correct?
Yes, from the north terminal there is a tram to the south terminal. Follow the signs to the train and you’ll find it. Once you get off the tram, you’ll exit right next to the train station.
Thank you Emily, this is helpful. I am coming after 3 weeks. quick question, Can I use my visa card to tap in? if yes do I have to tap in again when I get off?
Yes, as long as your visa is contactless. You have to tap in and out on tubes and trains, but only in for buses.
@@emily_meadows Thnxx
I wonder how does that work, tapping twice seems like paying twice. Weird. When you tap in it immediately charges full amount and then refunds partially at tap out or how does that work?
We’re visiting London in June and I’m getting kinda confused with so many options to use different payment methods and train companies. That’s what we get living in a small country hahah 😅
what is contactless?
Hi, how can I get from Gatwick to Victoria if my plane arrives at midnight? Thanks
Is there some kind of 2-week pass that allows you to use it on any subway train, any bus? I was originally going to land in London Gatwick Airport but I changed it to Heathrow Airport because it is only a 1 ride to get to the hostel from Heathrow vs. multiple from Gatwick. I have to take the healthrow express and get off somewhere around Paddington Station. If I took Gatwick, I would have to get off Marylebone. Or is there a station that is more recommended, more safe? I'm getting off at night around 8:15 p.m. on a Friday night at Paddington Station. Is there a preference of using US dollars vs. pounds? I'm coming from Los Angeles and my friend told me its cheaper to use the currency of the country you're in over US dollars because of overcharging. And then, when I want to go to places like Big Ben, London Eye, it requires me to get on Marylebone and take either of these trains - Southern (Green), Thameslink (white and colored train), and Jubilee (red train), Bakerloo, Overground, Victoria. I am so worried, I'm taking my first alone trip and want to have a train ticket pass to make things easier if possible. Worried about costs too. My hostel is on Cosway St and Bell Street - Bell House Hostel but I haven't booked it yet because there are too many to choose from. There's others like Publove White Chapel but am worried of dangeorous areas. I've heard of Oystercards or TravelCards, worried about getting lost, etc.
Thanks for sharing 😊
Hi I would like to know how much are both of the transportation I don’t believe you mentioned the exact price! Thank you kindly
Cool video !! how much will the destination cost be by train to Farnham from Gatwick? Uber price is 70£ ..i hope by train will be the cheapest..any reccomends? .thanks..Pat
Seems like the typical train price there is £10-15.
Hi my question is all the which timeing 24 hours o recommend time table plz reply me when u possible thanks
One important question please. Does LGW have storage lockers - I have a 14 hour layover (06:30-20:30) and I just want to see London for a day. It wold be nice if I don’t have to take my carry on outside of the airport. Thank you!
Yes, they do have a luggage storage facility.
Thanks for this guide, its very clear and concise. However im travellonf from gatwick to cardiff. Whats ur best advice here
You can get a train to Cardiff from Paddington station. To get to Paddington, you can take the Thameslink train to Farringdon and then get the Elizabeth line to Paddington. I’d recommend double checking on google maps the day of your journey for the timetables.
Best way is not to go through London at all, because there are hourly trains from Gatwick airport to Reading around London, and from there you can get trains to Cardiff
@@emily_meadowsor better yet, avoid London and go to Reading instead
Nice one
Thanks for watching
How do you know the price?
Hi, is Picadilly in Central London?
Hello! :) I have a question, is there space above head for carry on suitcase on the train? Thanks!
Not usually, unfortunately
But how to get from Gatwick to Tottenham Court Road?
I see an option for a Southern train but it has the same routes as Thameslink for the same price, is it the same?
Yes, I believe it's the same.
We will be in London in June for the day, I noticed that the train tickets are for specific times, what if we missed our time , could we catch the next train 🤔?
I would recommend waiting until you get to the airport to buy your ticket or just use a contactless credit card to tap on, so you don’t need to buy a ticket at all.
Ok 👍 thank you !
If it says advance ticket then that means it's for a specific train, but otherwise it's not, even if you're choosing a specific train when you buy your ticket
@@emily_meadows Using contactless has the advantage of not having decide whether to pay extra for the Gatwick Express before getting on the train.
So you can just use contactless if you’re going on Thameslink? Like, you don’t need to stop and buy a ticket from the machine? A little confused as to what I would do if train staff asked to see proof of payment while on the train.
Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving the 6 zones of London. Sometimes train staff or the transport police will come around with a small machine and you just tap the card you paid with and it shows them you’ve paid. I’m not entirely sure how it works, but it’s happened to me a few times and they’ve always been able to tell that I’ve paid.
@@emily_meadows cool! I’m just gonna do this when I arrive tomorrow. I’m so tired of looking at videos lol. Why do they make the train system soooo complicated? And so many websites to book tickets from 🫠 thanks for the advice!
@@emily_meadows you can use contactless on all 15 zones
@@emily_meadows They normally don't, its not at all common to see staff between Gatwick and London stations checking tickets because they actually can't tell that you've paid because they don't have the machine aforementioned.
Southern trains only go to Victoria
Thanks for useful information
One question is Oyster Card working on that train?
Oyster can be used on Thameslink and Southern, not GWX as far as im aware of
Its Southern not Thameslink. Thameslink doesn't go to Victoria. Thameslink trains are white and blue. Southern is green, black and white.
thank you
How long do the ride in train last ? I saw around 50 minutes
Hi! It's about 30 minutes to London Victoria and to London Bridge, also about 30 minutes.
The 50 minute trains are the ones that stop at Merstham, Horley and Redhill, and also sometimes Earlswood and Salfords. don't get them because the faster trains will overtake them
Churches nearby?
How long is the train ride?
It takes about 30-40 minutes to get to Victoria Station in central London.
WOWWWWWW SO HELPFUL IT HELPED ME SO MUCH I NEVER KNEW THAT YOU FOLLOW SIGNS, STARE AT ANNLCD AND GET ON A TRAIN
Now it would be awesome to make a video when there is a strike. Can I just rent a car and drive to London and left the car in London
On a strike day you could take a coach or bus into London
Do children pay
There are also other southern trains to London Victoria. It's the same price as Thameslink and it only takes two minutes longer than and is more frequent than the Gatwick Express. Thameslink is more convenient for going to London Bridge and the City of London and Victoria is more convenient for the west end. On Thameslink some of the trains are fast trains that don't stop much and those are obviously quicker than the stopping traisn
Absolutely! Thank you for outlining this as well, yes don't get the stopper via Redhill!
You took the southern train NOT the Thameslink southern is green and white while Thameslink is white and blue
Thank you