Gatwick (north terminal) to Victoria Station
Traveling from Gatwick Airport (North Terminal) to Victoria Station (where I’m staying at the Clermont Victoria), is this the best route?
- Take the tram from the North Terminal to the South Terminal.
- Use a contactless credit card to board the Southern train to Victoria Station.
- Tap out with the same contactless card when exiting the Tube.
Is it true that the Tube fare is around £9, while the Gatwick Express costs about £20 and only saves about 5 minutes?
Also, do we need a separate contactless card for our 12-year-old?
Your proposed route is mostly correct, but let’s clarify a few things:
Tram from North to South Terminal: You actually don’t need to take a tram. There is a free shuttle transit that connects the North and South Terminals directly. You can just follow the signs to the shuttle bus, which runs every few minutes.
Train to Victoria Station: Yes, you can use a contactless credit card to take the Southern train from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Station. This is a convenient option and typically takes around 30-35 minutes.
Tapping out at Victoria: When you arrive at Victoria, you will tap out with your contactless card. However, note that the tube (London Underground) is separate from the train, so if you plan to take the tube after you arrive, you’ll need to tap in again for the underground.
Regarding the cost, the price for the Southern train from Gatwick to Victoria is usually less than the Gatwick Express, which is generally around £20, while the Southern train fare is typically around £10-£15, depending on the time of day. The Gatwick Express is a direct service and takes about 30 minutes, so the time difference isn’t significant as you mentioned.
As for your 12-year-old, children under 11 can travel for free on the railways when accompanied by a paying adult, so they won’t need a separate contactless card. For ages 11-15, you can apply for a 51% discount with a Young Person’s Railcard, but if you don’t have that, you’ll need to pay full price for their fare. Always check the specific train company’s rules or website for any updates regarding discounts.
Overall, your plan is mostly correct, with just a small adjustment needed for the shuttle between terminals. Safe travels!