East Croydon [ECR] - Gravesend [GRV]

[GodAtum]

I have a few choices:

• East Croydon 0602 - 0633 St Pancras 0655 - 0721 Gravesend (total 01:19)
• East Croydon 0602 - 0615 London Bridge 0634 - 0727 Gravesend (01:25)
• Bromley South 0609 - 0641 Rochester 0707 - 0722 Gravesend (01:13)

Which would be the best to get me a seat? I dont really like the idea of spending ages at rochester in the cold!

 

[MikeWh]

I wouldn't think a seat would be an issue on any of those trains. The 0602 must be too early to be full and the Rochester - Gravesend won't be full until well after Dartford on the way in to London. The others are all wrong direction. The London Bridge to Gravesend train will take you through my local station, which could be said to be a reason to avoid it.

 

[GodAtum]

Thats good to know! According to Southern, the price of a Anytime Day Return (East Croydon - St Pancras - Gravesend) is £17.05 with a railcard. Can I use an Oyster to make it cheaper?

 

[MikeWh]

Oyster is only valid between East Croydon and St Pancras. Gravesend is way outside the area and it isn't valid on HS1 at all.

 

[GodAtum]

Ah OK. How easy is it to buy a East Croydon - St Pancras - Gravesend ticket from a ticket machine? Will I have to look out for the HS1 option?

 

[MikeWh]

No idea TBH. I'd assume HS1 will be mentioned if it's important. If it just says any permitted then you should be ok. If you want to be sure the ticket office at East Croydon is pretty well staffed IIRC from my time commuting from Crayford to Redhill ten years ago.

 

[island]

The £17.05 ticket is valid on HS1, for what little it matters — for Croydon Stations to Gravesend anytime day returns are only available routed NOT LONDON (£13.45) or +ANY PERMITTED (£17.05).

Bromley South to Gravesend anytime day return is £12.35 routed CHATHAM or £8.45 routed DARTFORD NOT HS1, although that'll hike up to £12 minimum fare on a weekday.

I don't think any of those trains will have any shortage of seats.

There should also not be any problems around getting those tickets from a vending machine; they are relatively straightforward to go through the steps.

*All prices are including a 34% railcard discount