There’s a cheaper, slower train service called Southern (or Thameslink) that runs from St. Pancras or Blackfriars to Gatwick. It takes about 45 minutes but costs half the price of the Express. The catch? It stops at every station between central London and the airport. You’ll see places like “East Croydon,” which sounds like a 1980s villain’s lair.
But here’s a secret: Southern trains are often less crowded and have actual tables. You can spread out your laptop, pretend to work, and watch the suburbs blur by. Warning: The announcements on Southern trains sound like an alien trying to speak English. “The next station is… crackle …Boring… crackle …Gatwick.” Just nod and hope for the best.
Also, don’t get off at “Gatwick” too early. There are two stations: Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges. Three Bridges is not a romantic destination. It’s a carpark.
