Gatwick to Putney

[ACL]

Greetings. I have two friends who will be visiting London in June. They will be flying into Gatwick and need to get to the Putney station. Is the easiest and cheapest way to take the train to Blackfriars station and then walk over to Waterloo? Are there other alternatives? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Could just travel from Gatwick Airport to Clapham Junction (with Southern) and change there for an SWR train to Putney. And at certain times, it will be a simple cross platform change from platform 12 to 11.

This should also be cheaper than travelling "via London".

 

[ACL]

Wow, that sounds great. Thanks. Should they buy their tickets in advance (if that is possible from here in the US) or just get them when they arrive?

 

[JonathanH]

Should they buy their tickets in advance (if that is possible from here in the US) or just get them when they arrive?

If making a single journey, Contactless is likely to offer the best fare. £14.20 single if they travel between 6.30am and 9.30am, or 4pm and 7pm. £9.50 single at other times.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Cheapest available fare might well be with a PAYG Oyster card, otherwise an Anytime Day Single (route "Not via London") will cost something like £16.40, which ticket could always be bought on the day.

Having said that, not sure how long you might have to queue up to get a physical ticket at Gatwick Airport if not pre-purchased.

Can any of our resident fare experts further advise/confirm?

And would contactless work for overseas visitors?

 

[etr221]

Could just travel from Gatwick Airport to Clapham Junction (with Southern) and change there for an SWR train to Putney. And at certain times, it will be a simple cross platform change from platform 12 to 11.

This should also be cheaper than travelling "via London".

Cross platform interchange (platform 12 to 11) will take you the long way round to Putney (via Teddington - and I don't think Putney will be indicated as a destination from pfm. 11). For Putney, use trains from platforms 5 or 6 (at Clapham Junction).

Information on contactless for overseas visitors essentially says 'maybe' - depends on country and card issuer...

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Cross platform interchange (platform 12 to 11) will take you the long way round to Putney (via Teddington - and I don't think Putney will be indicated as a destination from pfm. 11). For Putney, use trains from platforms 5 or 6 (at Clapham Junction).

Duh! Quite right. You certainly wouldn't want to go the long way round after having recently come off a flight arriving into Gatwick.

 

[KT550]

Use a contactless/chip credit card if you can (preferably one without overseas fees).
The waiting time for ticket machines at Gatwick could easily be 20 minutes or more in the summer.

With a credit card you go straight to the barrier and tap your card and same when exiting at Putney.

 

[ACL]

Thanks. I'll tell my friends. I didn't know you could use contactless/chip credit cards like that. That is quite a nice feature.

It's been too long since I was in the UK. Will be heading there myself in late June. Really looking forward to it.