If you need to get to central London from Gatwick or vice versa, then the Thameslink to St. Pancras International, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Farringdon is a great option. With this choice of stations, you will have easy access to the major intersections of the London Underground and the rest of the city. Plus, if you are looking to save money, the Thameslink to Gatwick often works out cheaper than the Gatwick Express and although it is not as quick at about 45 minutes, it only takes around 15 minutes longer!
At Parkhero we want to help make your trip to and from Gatwick Airport as easy as possible and in this quick guide to the Gatwick Thameslink you will find all the information you need. Below you will find information on ticket prices, where to purchase them, the Thameslink schedule and route as well as information on how to get Gatwick Airport Train Station. Read on and make sure you are well prepared for your trip to and from Gatwick.
Thameslink Ticket Information
Finding the cheapest and most convenient route between London and Gatwick can take a lot of research, but with the information below, you can easily find the right Thameslink option for your trip.
How much do Thameslink tickets cost?
Thameslink tickets vary in price depending on when you book them, which route you choose, what time you travel and which class you opt for. Just like other train options, Thameslink Gatwick tickets are best booked in advance to find the best prices. Booking on the day can end up costing you significantly more and is also far more stressful if you are in a rush for a certain train to or from the airport. If you can, it is always best to avoid travelling during the peak hours before 10:00 and between 16:30 and 19:01. This is when the trains are at their busiest and when prices are at their highest.
Thameslink Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Online price |
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| Standard Single | £11.40 |
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| Standard Return | £21.70 |
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| First Class Single | £18.30 |
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| First Class Return | £36.60 |
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| Oyster or Contactless Payment | £15.50 |
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The information in the table is sourced from thameslinkrailway.com.
The prices above are based on off-peak trains from Gatwick Airport to London Bridge booked a week in advance. Keep in mind that for Standard class tickets it is better value to book an Open Return ticket, as it will save you a bit of money and you can use it anytime within a month of your outward journey.
None of the Thameslink trains from Gatwick offer reserved seating. You will need to take whichever seats are available for your ticket class.
Can I use my Oyster Card on Thameslink?
Yes, you can use both an Oyster Card and Contactless payment cards on the Thameslink trains. However, it is better value to book your tickets online, as you can see in the table. If you used your Oyster or Contactless card for a return trip it would cost you around £31.00 compared to £21.70 for a Standard Open Return booked online.
Where can I buy Thameslink tickets?
It is easy to purchase tickets for Thameslink trains, either online, at one of the London Train stations on the route or at Gatwick Airport Train Station.
Online
You can purchase Thameslink to Gatwick tickets online at a few different outlets, including the official thameslinkrailway.com website or at thetrainline.com. The official website offered the best value for money during our searches and you also don’t have to worry about dealing with an intermediary.
When booking online you can either receive your ticket as an e-ticket on a mobile device, you can print it out or you can opt to collect your tickets from one of the ticket machines at your outward station. The first two are the most convenient options as then you don’t have to worry about finding the machine or having to wait in a queue to use one.
At London Train Stations
You can buy a Thameslink ticket at one of the self-service ticket machines at St. Pancras, Blackfriars, London Bridge or Farringdon train stations. The machines allow you to pay with cash or by credit or debit card. Tickets can also be purchased at manned ticket desks, where available.
At Gatwick Airport
You will find self-service ticket machines at Gatwick Train Station and also in the Onward Travel area of the South Terminal where the train station is located.
Thameslink Schedule Information
Thameslink to Gatwick trains run from 04:20 to 22:06 with roughly 4 trains an hour between London and Brighton via Gatwick.
What stations are included in London Thameslink?
Thameslink trains to Gatwick have several well-connected stations that allow easy access to the London Underground and city bus network. The London Bridge to Gatwick Thameslink service is one of the most popular options, providing you with access to central London and the Northern and Jubilee lines.
| Thameslink Station | Distance from Gatwick (average) | Tube Conncections |
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| London Bridge | 42 minutes | Jubillee and Northern |
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| London Blackfriars | 49 minutes | Circle and District |
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| Farringdon | 53 minutes | Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City |
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London St. Pancras
International | 57 minutes | Victoria, Piccadilly, Northern, Circle, Metropolitan
and Hammersmith & City (from King's Cross 5 minutes walk away) |
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| Kentish Town | 59 minutes | Northern Line |
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| Luton Airport Parkway | 1 hour 34 minutes | N/A |
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| Horsham | 23 minutes | N/A |
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| Brighton | 49 minutes | N/A |
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Thameslink St. Pancras to Gatwick is the route that is most easily accessible from central London and for those heading from the airport into the city. From here is it just a short walk to King’s Cross and the London Underground.
How to get to and from Gatwick Train Station
To access Thameslink Gatwick trains, you will need to make your way to the South Terminal. From there you can follow the signs to Gatwick Airport Train station, which is just a 2-minute walk away. If you are travelling to or from the North Terminal, it is just as easy to get to the train station. You will simply need to catch the frequent monorail between the two terminals. It runs every 3 minutes and takes just 2 minutes to reach either terminal. The station for the South Terminal is right next to the Train Station.
At Gatwick train station you will find self-service ticket machines and a host of other facilities, including toilets, shops, refreshment kiosks, an ATM machine, escalators, lifts and more.
About Parkhero
As well as helping travellers with information on travelling from Gatwick Airport, Parkhero is one of the country’s leading websites for comparing airport parking. With Parkhero we make finding great value airport car parking at UK airports quick and simple, ensuring you can save money for the fun things during your trip.
Whether you are looking for Park and Ride, Meet and Greet or on-site airport parking, Parkhero can help you find the best price from Gatwick or any other airport in the UK. If you are reconsidering taking the train to the airport, begin a search in the comparison tool at the top of the page and find out how much you could save by driving and parking at the airport.
Simply enter your dates and in seconds the website will return a list of parking options, from the cheapest to the most expensive. You can make a booking directly from this page or browse the information pages dedicated to each option. We will show you all the information you need, including pictures of the car park, reviews and security information. When you have selected your parking service, hit ‘Book now’ and in less than 5 minutes you will have your transport to the airport sorted. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can always get in contact with one of our friendly customer service team.
Book today and save money on your trip from Gatwick!
All train prices mentioned serve as a guide only. Travellers should ensure that they check the price of their proposed journey with the service provider before booking. Please note that the information above is provided for reference only, and does not constitute as travel advice.
