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London Gatwick

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johntea

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Could anybody provide any hints on how to get from London Kings Cross to London Gatwick and back cheaply sometime in April / May?

I refuse flat out to pay 40 odd quid to do so when my return trip from Yorkshire to London only costs just over half that!
 
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Greenback

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You can now use Oyster to get to and from Gatwick Airport. I reckon that could be cheaper than buying a paper ticket. I haven't done it myself yet.
 

Merseysider

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If you're using Oyster PAYG it'll be cheaper to split the journey at East Croydon (tap out, tap in). Whether Oyster would successfully treat it as two separate journeys is a different matter
 

johntea

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If I can't do it any cheaper than £15 return looks like the coach might be the best way as I'm not in any particular rush staying over the evening before and obviously then no rush back on the return as I can schedule around my advance train booking quite easily
 

richw

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The train is very expensive anywhere London to Gatwick (or anywhere in the country I've found) from experience. Coach is cheapest option normally but takes around 3 times as long.
 

talldave

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For paper tickets, there are a number of NOT UNDERGROUND tickets you can use on Thameslink (St Pancreas to Gatwick), which is fractionally faster than hitching a lift with a snail. Day/time of travel will determine how cheap you can get and a railcard helps!
 
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Hadders

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An Anytime Return from St Pancras to Gatwick Airport route:not underground is £19.50.

If the OP has a railcard then this will be cheaper.
 

Panda

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If you're using Oyster PAYG it'll be cheaper to split the journey at East Croydon (tap out, tap in). Whether Oyster would successfully treat it as two separate journeys is a different matter
If you have a contactless card (or two), forcing the split would be simpler if you use one for one journey (up to tapping out at East Croydon) and then another for the new journey (tapping back in at East Croydon and then out at Gatwick).
 

MikeWh

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If you're using Oyster PAYG it'll be cheaper to split the journey at East Croydon (tap out, tap in). Whether Oyster would successfully treat it as two separate journeys is a different matter

It will be two journeys using Oyster or contactless. The only issue would be if there was an EOSI set at East Croydon at the time, but in this rare instance the helpdesk will refund the overcharge.
 

Mojo

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The train is very expensive anywhere London to Gatwick (or anywhere in the country I've found) from experience. Coach is cheapest option normally but takes around 3 times as long.

I think the train between London and Gatwick (provided you buy the correct ticket) is exceptionally good value.
 

Haywain

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I think the train between London and Gatwick (provided you buy the correct ticket) is exceptionally good value.
Agreed, and journey time from St Pancras is actually quite competitive with other options that include using the underground.
 

johntea

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Thanks for all the tips, I knew there would be a cheaper way than 40 odd quid! St Pancras seems the most logical solution and even means I don't have to cart my luggage on the Underground so a win all round there :D
 

Greenback

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One of the good things about Gatwick is that there are direct trains from a range of London stations.
 

johntea

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I stunned myself by managing to book a Travelodge near the airport for £35! :lol:
 

richw

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I stunned myself by managing to book a Travelodge near the airport for £35! :lol:

I stayed at said Travelodge in October. The room I was in was recently refurbished, and surprised myself paying less than you have on that night.
It is a bus ride from the airport. £3 each way from memory.
 

Greenback

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That's not a bad price at all. Travelodge rates are very fluid and fluctuate quickly.
 

yorkie

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You can get Premier Inns at Gatwick for £39 or £35, which are vastly superior than Travelodge.

I have stayed at the Travelodge before. It is walkable, but it will take a while.
 

Greenback

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I agree, Premier Inn's are a cut above Travelodge, and I would always choose the former if they were similarly priced. Travelodges are fine for a night or two.
 

richw

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Refurbished Travelodges are in my opinion on par with Premier Inn.

Travelodge have upped their game
 

Deerfold

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Refurbished Travelodges are in my opinion on par with Premier Inn.

Travelodge have upped their game

True. I'll happily stay at a new or refurbished Travelodge, but only at an older on on a personal recommendation or extremely good Tripadvisor reviews.
 

richw

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True. I'll happily stay at a new or refurbished Travelodge, but only at an older on on a personal recommendation or extremely good Tripadvisor reviews.

That's my approach. The old ones are generally awful.
 

Clip

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Ive noticed that the Premier Inn are now selling the beds they use. Think I may get one
 

bnm

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I stayed at said Travelodge in October. The room I was in was recently refurbished, and surprised myself paying less than you have on that night.
It is a bus ride from the airport. £3 each way from memory.

Yep. The hotel shuttle buses are £3 each way. That's what I paid last month when I stayed at the (excellent) Travelodge Gatwick Central. It's always worth factoring in that additional £6 when pricing up rooms. Some hotels are near local bus stops served by Metrobus from Gatwick where single fares can be had for £1.60.
 
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richw

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Yep. The hotel shuttle buses are £3 each way. That's what I paid last month when I stayed at the (excellent) Travelodge Gatwick Central. It's always worth factoring in that additional £6 when pricing up rooms. Some hotels are near local bus stops served by Metrobus from Gatwick where single fares can be had for £1.60.

On the way home I stayed at Premier inn airport way which was walkable from North terminal (across the road by the exit petrol station)
 

talldave

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One of the Premier Inns is a short walk from the North Terminal.
 
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