Rayleigh - Gatwick Trip. Help please ?

[Rheilfordd]

I’m travelling Rayleigh to Gatwick on 7th July, arrival noon. Returning on Monday 10th, depart 19:30.

I’m struggling to find the best fare.

Using 2 together, I can see an off peak return to Three Bridges @ £66.50 compared to the same return to Gatwick @ £76.

Am I missing a via point, or something in my Gatwick search, as Three Bridges is obviously further than Gatwick ?

 

[dastocks]

For cheaper fares try looking for options that avoid using Gatwick Express. These are routed NOT GATWICK EXPRESS if you're travelling via Victoria or THAMESLINK ONLY if you go that way via London Bridge, which will probably be the cheapest and quickest option. Changing the destination to Three Bridges will have forced one of these routings because Gatwick Express don't serve that station. Forcing the route to be via London Bridge should give a THAMESLINK ONLY fare.

 

[Rheilfordd]

For cheaper fares try looking for options that avoid using Gatwick Express. These are routed NOT GATWICK EXPRESS if you're travelling via Victoria or THAMESLINK ONLY if you go that way via London Bridge, which will probably be the cheapest and quickest option. Changing the destination to Three Bridges will have forced one of these routings because Gatwick Express don't serve that station. Forcing the route to be via London Bridge should give a THAMESLINK ONLY fare.

Thanks, I’ve already tried those options. Both Liz line, changing at Farringdon and tube from Stratford to London Bridge.

The itineraries avoid Gatwick Express but still charge the higher fare.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

Worse comes to worst, just end your trip / start short on a TBD ticket.

 

[Rheilfordd]

Worse comes to worst, just end your trip / start short on a TBD ticket.

I’ll try the old fashioned way, at the station first and if they can’t help, Three Bridges it will be.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

I’ll try the old fashioned way, at the station first and if they can’t help, Three Bridges it will be.

Looking in BR Fares it seems Gatwick is higher for whatever reason. Possibly a historic reason never fixed as it really is only Gatwick; stations south of TBD are also cheaper. Good luck

 

[Rheilfordd]

Looking in BR Fares it seems Gatwick is higher for whatever reason. Possibly a historic reason never fixed as it really is only Gatwick; stations south of TBD are also cheaper. Good luck

Thanks for looking up BR Fares. I assume there’s no problem finishing short on the outward journey ?

 

[ThameslinkUser]

You should be fine. The listed restriction code is 4A for both TBD and GTW and there are no special restrictions as far as I can see.

 

[dastocks]

There may well be break of journey restrictions. There are other discounted fares via Three Bridges that are cheaper than GX *and* permit travel on GX services, but they don't allow break of journey for this reason. The ticket barriers will almost certainly reject the tickets so you will have to argue your case with the staff.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

There may well be break of journey restrictions.

If there are such restrictions, it must be stated clearly. There are no such restrictions anywhere I can find for these tickets.

 

[JB_B]

There may well be break of journey restrictions. There are other discounted fares via Three Bridges that are cheaper than GX *and* permit travel on GX services, but they don't allow break of journey for this reason. The ticket barriers will almost certainly reject the tickets so you will have to argue your case with the staff.

I don't think that's right. The OP is planning to use this off peak return ticket:-

Look up fares for any train journey in Britain

Full details of all British rail Single, Return & Season tickets and Travelcards. Built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

It's route:+ Any Permitted and restriction 4A - there are no break of journey restrictions.

I often break my journeys at Gatwick - I don't recall ever having problems at the barriers when doing so.

 

[Rheilfordd]

If there are such restrictions, it must be stated clearly. There are no such restrictions anywhere I can find for these tickets.

Thanks again. That was also my understanding, in that the only relevant restrictions regarding 4A are related to time of travel.

I don’t have a problem arguing the toss, if the tickets are as they appear, legit.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2023 ==

If there are such restrictions, it must be stated clearly. There are no such restrictions anywhere I can find for these tickets.

Found this on the Thameslink website.

Confirming that break of journey is allowed on both legs. Printed in case of challenge.