Quick question - Gatwick Express

Scam · 17 Jan 2017 at 15:09

Need to get to Gatwick for an 11:30am flight in a few weeks time. The GE seems to be coming up cheaper than an ordinary train ticket (and flexible). Does anyone know if [a] it will be royally screwed up if there is a strike and if there is a strike and we opt for a cab instead, we can claim all of our money back on the tickets including the "£10 admin charge" they levy on refunds?

Thinking of plumping for the train ticket whilst it's cheap, then just getting a cab if they call another strike.

Reginald · 17 Jan 2017 at 15:56

While GE's refund blurb says all refunds are subjected to a £10 fee, their delay/repay terms state that any delays "120+ minutes you're entitled to 100% of the cost of a return journey (a full day’s travel)". I assume you could claim under that if they call another strike. In the meantime, I'd also book a cab for that morning and cancel it nearer the time. Sorted!

Scam · 17 Jan 2017 at 15:57

Reginald said:
While GE's refund blurb says all refunds are subjected to a £10 fee, their delay/repay terms state that any delays "120+ minutes you're entitled to 100% of the cost of a return journey (a full day’s travel)". I assume you could claim under that if they call another strike. In the meantime, I'd also book a cab for that morning and cancel it nearer the time. Sorted!

That's exactly the plan. I presume most cab companies wouldn't want a deposit or anything. I worry more about getting stuck in traffic at rush hour

Maccapacca · 17 Jan 2017 at 15:59

It's the only train running albeit half hourly rather than every fifteen minutes when there is a strike so you're more likely to actually get there than relying on Southern's normal clustercrap service

Reginald · 17 Jan 2017 at 16:06

Scam said:
That's exactly the plan. I presume most cab companies wouldn't want a deposit or anything. I worry more about getting stuck in traffic at rush hour

Perfect. Yeah traffic can be a bit dodgy but I just leave an extra hour or so on top of whatever google maps says so there's no stress. Haven't had any issues so far! Never had to pay a cab deposit - steer clear if they ask!

Scam · 17 Jan 2017 at 16:15

Maccapacca said:
It's the only train running albeit half hourly rather than every fifteen minutes when there is a strike so you're more likely to actually get there than relying on Southern's normal clustercrap service

To be honest if there's a strike we would just abandon the trains and get a cab. Does everyone pile on the GE if there's a strike? I guess it gets some people half way home..

peige · 17 Jan 2017 at 20:37

I think when there is a strike tickets become valid on the GE so its probably a nightmare to get on.

CapitalOne · 17 Jan 2017 at 20:47

I would avoid the GE even when it's not a strike day - the work to rule on hours means the service is running about 66% of trains (Southern or GE) and they are normally 50% of the capacity.

You can use Thameslink to get to LGW though but it will be packed around rush hour.

Splash out, get an Addison Lee or something, leave early and if you aren't flying posh class, buy some tickets for the Number 1 lounge at LGW.

delta0 · 17 Jan 2017 at 21:41

You can get the Thameslink service from Blackfriars (plus other stations on that line) as a back up if there is an issue. You can also use an oyster/contactless for this.

Efour · 17 Jan 2017 at 22:00

delta0 said:
You can get the Thameslink service from Blackfriars (plus other stations on that line) as a back up if there is an issue. You can also use an oyster/contactless for this.

Gatwick is outside of it though. You need to get off at Croyden and buy a ticket for the last bit. (officially) Thats about 5 quid last time i did it.

Maccapacca · 17 Jan 2017 at 22:04

Doesn't stop at Croydon

delta0 · 17 Jan 2017 at 22:23

Efour said:
Gatwick is outside of it though. You need to get off at Croyden and buy a ticket for the last bit. (officially) Thats about 5 quid last time i did it.

You can oyster the whole way now. It costs £8 from any London station that line serves http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/tickets-and-fares/oyster/gatwick-payg/

Caged · 17 Jan 2017 at 23:33

Just book the Thameslink service out of St Pancras/wherever. Takes about an hour.

LackyT · 18 Jan 2017 at 09:59

I just flew out of Gatwick on Monday, there was a strike listed on their website, with trains stated to be running every 30 mins. Travelled 10-10.30am, absolutely fine, no queues and tons of space on the train.

Scam · 18 Jan 2017 at 10:30

LackyT said:
I just flew out of Gatwick on Monday, there was a strike listed on their website, with trains stated to be running every 30 mins. Travelled 10-10.30am, absolutely fine, no queues and tons of space on the train.

CapitalOne said:
I would avoid the GE even when it's not a strike day - the work to rule on hours means the service is running about 66% of trains (Southern or GE) and they are normally 50% of the capacity.

Which one is correct?

LackyT were you on the GE or regular service? To be honest we know the GE is a bit of a joke, it takes what 5mins less than a regular train? If we can do that £8 payg it might be easier. £16 return is still cheaper than the deal I was looking at for the GE (£45 return for both of us).

No point going to St Pancras. We're in west London so that would take way longer. The fact that we're in west London is what worries me about getting a taxi. We'd have to get on the M4 then M25 at rush hour. Granted going mostly the opposite way but yeah.. London traffic

delta0 · 18 Jan 2017 at 11:56

Scam said:
Which one is correct? LackyT were you on the GE or regular service? To be honest we know the GE is a bit of a joke, it takes what 5mins less than a regular train? If we can do that £8 payg it might be easier. £16 return is still cheaper than the deal I was looking at for the GE (£45 return for both of us).

No point going to St Pancras. We're in west London so that would take way longer. The fact that we're in west London is what worries me about getting a taxi. We'd have to get on the M4 then M25 at rush hour. Granted going mostly the opposite way but yeah.. London traffic

The Thameslink service you need runs through st Pancras, Farringdon, city and Blackfriars. It also stops at a few places north of st pancras. For you just pick the easiest station to get to. Here is a map http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/download/6579.3/thameslink-route-map/
I've used it from Cricklewood, West Hampstead, Farringdon and Blackfriars. It has been £8 from all of these stations.

Rids · 18 Jan 2017 at 12:02

I guess you're aiming to arrive at Gatwick for about 8:30-9.00? Even if there is a strike I don't imagine trains will be horrifically busy, its the trains into London that are the worst.

You also have the option of getting the Thameslink services from St Pancras, Blackfriars, etc which have been running pretty smoothly (comparatively speaking) during all the strikes.

Scam · 18 Jan 2017 at 12:27

Rids said:
I guess you're aiming to arrive at Gatwick for about 8:30-9.00? Even if there is a strike I don't imagine trains will be horrifically busy, its the trains into London that are the worst.

Yeah, the girlfriend gets horrifically stressed about catching flights. We live relatively close to LHR but find ourselves leaving about 4hrs before departure "just in case"

Anyhoo, this is good news: Southern rail 'full service' to resume next week. There's 5 trains scheduled to leave between 8-8.30am on the day we fly. I reckon we'll be fine.

LackyT · 18 Jan 2017 at 13:05

Scam said:
Which one is correct? LackyT were you on the GE or regular service? To be honest we know the GE is a bit of a joke, it takes what 5mins less than a regular train? If we can do that £8 payg it might be easier. £16 return is still cheaper than the deal I was looking at for the GE (£45 return for both of us).

I'm just letting you know my experience dude. Just standard GE from Victoria. Was fine for me and the few times before as well. It's a long train, going directly to Gatwick Airport, every 15 or 30 mins; pretty low chance of there not being space.

Ch3m1c4L · 19 Jan 2017 at 19:05

I always used to get the GE, to the extent that when I worked at gatwick, I was just getting that most of the time for the first month. Then I realised that "normal" trains only take 3-5 minutes longer, and run more/just as often, and cost a huge amount less.

Getting to gatwick for 9-10 am (variable) I never found the trains to be too busy, except when ones were cancelled/london bridge was half closed, but I was never unable to get a seat even on busy days, either way. Only busy part was tube from victoria at rush hour...

nowasays i just get the normal train if i need to get there, whether for flights or work

Quick question - Gatwick Express

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