I'm travelling from Oxford to Brighton via the North Downs Line next week using a combination of two off peak day returns (splitting at Dorking), and journey planners all recommend changing at Gatwick for the fastest journey. However, given how Gatwick Express services tend to be more expensive, I'm concerned that my ticket from Dorking to Brighton might not be valid (especially since from Gatwick to Brighton, Gatwick Express tickets do command a premium). Would I be able to make this journey without risk of argument, or should I stick to slower trains?
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Can you use Gatwick Express on longer distance tickets?
- Thread starter NorthOxonian
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cactustwirly
Established Member
If you have an itinerary, or the ticket is routed "Any Permitted" then your ticket is definitely valid on Gatwick Express services
Brilliant, it'd be "Any Permitted" so it should be fine.
To clarify, I'm travelling south from Gatwick to Brighton, where there seem to be much more significant time differences (especially since I can easily change from the fast trains from Reading through Guidlford and Dorking).
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andrewkeith5
Member
Can you let me know exactly which ticket you have or are planning to buy?
Haywain
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Between Gatwick and Brighton there are no tickets which have premium prices for the use of Gatwick Express services. Tickets routed 'Any Permitted' (as all tickets from Dorking to Brighton are) may be used without restriction on services carrying the Gatwick Express branding for that segment of your journey. Any time restrictions applying to your tickets do, of course, still apply on relevant days.
You can take any service between Gatwick and Brighton.
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It depends on when I leave Oxford (since it would be around 10 with a 16-25 railcard), if it is before 10 I would buy:
Oxford - Dorking Stations CDR (Reading Not London) @ £15.60
If it is after 10 I would instead buy Oxford - Reading CDR @ £6.45 and Reading - Dorking Stations (via Gomshall) CDR @ £8.85 (total £15.30 to Dorking)
In either case I would buy:
Dorking Stations - Brighton CDR (Any Permitted) @ £9.25, giving a total of £24.55 or £24.85 for the journey. Since the first fast off peak departure seems to be at 10:01, I will likely go for the split at Reading.
andrewkeith5
Member
Given that it’s an any permitted ticket, the operater you use isn’t relevant in this case so you’re all good.
All of the messages about the various different trains operating to Brighton, whilst probably correct, aren’t relevant in this case.
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