Europe



Gatwick Airport passengers will be able to travel by rail to and from central London using Oyster and contactless payment cards from January.

Gatwick rail passengers can use Oyster and contactless from January.

Gatwick rail passengers can use Oyster and contactless from January. CC BY 2.0

This means travellers will no longer have to obtain a different payment method to the one they use for Tube and bus rides in the capital.

It is hoped the use of pay as you go cards will reduce queues at station ticket offices, while some fares will be cut.

London mayor Boris Johnson said: “By providing a quick and easy way to pay, our Oyster and contactless ticketing have transformed the way people get around our capital.

“We’ve already extended this on a number of key routes outside of London and it makes perfect sense for Londoners, commuters and passengers from around the world to benefit from this further link to Gatwick Airport.”

Rail Minister Claire Perry described the new system as a “vastly more convenient option” for passengers.

Currently a single journey paper peak-time ticket costs £15.40 from central London to Gatwick (excluding the non-stop Gatwick Express). A rush-hour trip using pay as you go will cost £14, with off-peak journeys £8.

A Gatwick Express single journey will be £19.80, down by 10 pence on a paper ticket fare.

Passengers using five other stations along the route – Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill and Merstham – will also be able to use the new technology.

(Press Association)