Londoners heading to Gatwick Airport could save around £9 on a single journey simply by choosing the right train — and the cheaper option can actually get there faster.
Gatwick Express and Thameslink both run direct to the airport, but they charge very different prices for what is, for many passengers, a very similar journey.
Gatwick Express runs non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, with a standard contactless single fare of about £24. Its fastest service takes as little as 31 minutes, and trains usually run twice an hour.
Thameslink, by contrast, connects Gatwick with London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras International. Recent published fare comparisons list Thameslink singles between Gatwick Airport and London Bridge at about £14.50 to £15.10, depending on the ticket type.
That works out at a saving of around £9 on a single journey by using Thameslink from London Bridge rather than Gatwick Express from Victoria.
The time comparison is just as surprising. Thameslink says its fastest direct services between London Bridge and Gatwick take just 29 minutes, with an average journey time of about 36 minutes — meaning it can actually be quicker than the Express, despite the name.
There is one important catch: the two services leave from different stations. The saving only applies if you can get to London Bridge without spending the difference on Tube or train fares to reach it, and the fastest option will always depend on where in London you are starting from.
There is also a third option that many travellers miss. Southern runs direct services between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, often taking only slightly longer than Gatwick Express. Recent contactless fare comparisons have listed Southern journeys from Victoria at about £10.70 off-peak and £19.20 during weekday morning peak hours — which can make it far cheaper than the Express from the same station.
Passengers travelling from Victoria should compare Gatwick Express with Southern before they buy, while those near London Bridge, Farringdon or St Pancras will generally find Thameslink the better-value option.
A few things are worth knowing before you book. Gatwick Express charges a separate premium fare, and its journeys are excluded from normal TfL daily fare caps. Thameslink passengers should check whether a paper ticket, e-ticket, Railcard discount or contactless payment gives them the best price. Both services accept contactless bank cards and mobile devices.
Both trains arrive at Gatwick Airport railway station, at the South Terminal. Passengers flying from the North Terminal can use the airport’s free shuttle.
With the Christmas travel period approaching, travellers are advised to check planned engineering works and service changes before setting off. Southern services between London Bridge and Epsom are currently revised because of a broken rail, and the Elizabeth line will be closed for a whole weekend at the end of November.
