Rail passengers travelling between London and Gatwick airport will be able to pay with their Oyster cards from January.
Oyster cards and other forms of pay-as-you-go contactless payment will also be accepted at five stations — Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill and Merstham — on the route to LGW.
The Department of Transport said the move "will mean more convenience and flexibility for commuters and visitors alike, with improved value for money in many cases, and reduced crowding at stations.
"It will also allow seamless onward connections to London's transport network and National Rail services."
Rail minister Claire Perry said: "This extension of Oyster and contactless embraces some of the latest technology, making journeys easier for customers, offering them a vastly more convenient option."
From January, customers using pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on Southern and Thameslink services from central London to Gatwick will pay £14 in rush hour or £8 off-peak. The current peak paper ticket single fare is £15.40.
Gatwick Express single fares will be £19.80 on pay-as-you-go, compared to £19.90 when purchased at Gatwick or Victoria rail stations.
Guy Stephenson, Gatwick CCO, said: "Gatwick's passengers will welcome the introduction of Oyster and contactless payments at the airport as the most convenient way to pay for onward rail travel to London.
"It means a single ticketless system will link Gatwick with the whole of Greater London so passengers can benefit from seamless connections to and throughout the capital."
Last month, Gatwick launched a Premium Passport Control service to "provide a swift arrivals process" (see news, October 23).
Graham Smith
