We’ve all been there: you’ve ticked off accommodation, flights, and the countless other bookings required when taking to the skies for travel… and then you remember that you don’t live at the airport, and you’ll need a way to get there and back, too! If you’ve made this faux pas at Gatwick Airport, can you just hop on the Gatwick Express with contactless payment? In this guide, we aim to cover that very topic.
Photo by Phil Scott
Does the Gatwick Express accept contactless payment?
Yes, you can pay for the Gatwick Express using contactless payment, though only for travel between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, as Gatwick Airport is the southern limit for contactless payment. Whether that’s a bank card or your phone, you can simply tap at the gates and hop on any service running to and from the airport.
You will be able to purchase an Adult rate Standard Class ticket at any time of the day, including Peak and Off-Peak times. However, you will not be able to purchase the following with contactless payment:
- First Class travel
- Child rate travel
- Travel with a Railcard (this cannot be added to contactless payment)
Note that a higher charge is applied for the non-stop Gatwick Express service when compared to the longer journey provided by Southern.
Unfortunately, contactless payment is not possible between Brighton and Gatwick Airport as it is not included in London Zones 1-9, meaning travel to Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks and Preston Park will require a ticket. Not to worry, though! You can book your tickets as easily with Trip.com:
Does the Gatwick Express accept Oyster Card?
Yes, much like contactless payment, you can travel on the Gatwick Express by tapping your Oyster Card, but only for travel between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. This option is not available for those looking to travel South between Gatwick Airport and Brighton, including the stations Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks and Preston Park.
Did you know that you stand to save more using an Oyster Card than using typical contactless? This is because you can link your Oyster Card to a Railcard for further discounts! To find out more about how you can save with Railcards, check out our dedicated guide here.
Things to remember when using contactless payment
- Check if the stations you are travelling to and from are covered by contactless payment. As a rule of thumb, most stations outside of London Zones 1-9 don’t allow for it.
- Make sure you tap in and out when entering and exiting the station, even if the gate is open, as you may be charged significantly extra if not.
- Always ensure you pay with the same device even if it is linked to the same payment card, as this will count as two different journeys and you will be charged for both.
Book your Gatwick Express tickets today
So, you can jump on the Gatwick Express using contactless when travelling from London if you need to - but why not book ahead for the peace of mind?
Brighton to Gatwick Airport tickets
Gatwick Airport to Brighton tickets