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keyGo

Add keyGo to your Key Smartcard for easy pay-as-you-go Standard Class travel across most of the Thameslink network. 

Graphic image of a Key Smartcard

Ticket overview

Enjoy the best value daily or weekly fares with automatic daily or weekly capping and skip the hassle of buying tickets.

KeyGo makes rail travel simple and affordable by automatically calculating the best fare for your journeys. No need for paper tickets – just tap in and out with your Key Smartcard at the station’s yellow contactless pads. Whether you travel occasionally or regularly, keyGo ensures you always pay the lowest walk-up fare*, with weekly capping guaranteeing you never exceed the cost of a Weekly Season ticket, regardless of how many journeys you make.

Travel as much as you like between two stations within the Monday-to-Monday window (04:30 Monday – 04:29 Monday), and once you hit the weekly cap, you can enjoy unlimited travel for the rest of the week, at no additional cost.

If you don’t reach the weekly cap, you’ll only pay for the journeys you make. Simply tap in and out to enjoy hassle-free savings without worrying about extra charges.

Benefits: 

  • Easy travel: No need to purchase individual tickets. Just tap in and out, and keyGo will calculate the best fare for you. 
  • Weekly capping: Travel as much as you like in a week, and you’ll never pay more than the cost of a Weekly Season ticket. 
  • Automatic savings: No more guesswork! keyGo ensures you always get the best fare for your journeys, when compared against daily or weekly Season tickets.  
  • Railcard discounts: Link your  Railcard to your keyGo account to automatically receive discounts on your fares. 
  • No queues: Skip ticket lines and travel flexibly with no need to decide on a ticket type upfront. 
  • Automatic Delay Repay: keyGo automatically registers you for  Delay Repay notifications, making it easier to claim compensation when you're eligible. 
  • Usable on some dual operator journeys: Weekly capping can also be applied for travel on South Western Railway (SWT) services between Dorking and Clapham Junction, and Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Redhill and Dorking Deepdene**

When can I use this ticket type? 

KeyGo can be used for pay-as-you-go travel across the Thameslink network on any journey, with weekly capping for regular travellers. Make unlimited journeys within the Monday-to-Monday period (04:30 Monday – 04:29 Monday), and you’ll never exceed the cost of a Weekly Season ticket. Please note, if travel crosses over the 04:30 railway day cut off, you will be charged for two separate days of travel. 

KeyGo works on Thameslink and select routes. Check out where keyGo is active on our network map.

Things to remember 

  • No First Class fares: keyGo does not offer First Class fares. 
  • Missed touches may result in charges: Always remember to tap in and out for each journey to avoid missing charges. 
  • TfL services not included: keyGo is not valid on Transport for London (TfL) services. 
  • Separate smartcards required for Flexi-Season tickets: Flexi-Season tickets cannot be used on the same Key Smartcard as keyGo. A separate smartcard is required. 
  • Updated payment details: Keep your payment details up to date to avoid payment issues. 
  • Manual completion occasionally required: If you travel to or from an ungated station with no validators, you must manually complete your journey through your online account.  

Additional restrictions: 

KeyGo works on most Thameslink routes, but not on all services. Please ensure your travel is within the valid areas before starting your journey.

How can I save further, and what discounts are available? 

  • Railcards: Link your Railcard to your keyGo account for up to 1/3 off your travel fares. 
  • Weekly capping: No matter how many journeys you make, you’ll never pay more than a Weekly Season ticket. 
  • Off-Peak savings: For regular travellers, keyGo ensures the most cost-effective fares, even if you travel frequently during quieter times. 

How to set up and use keyGo 

Setting up KeyGo is quick and straightforward.

  1. Start by registering through your online account with a primary email and linking your Key Smartcard. A £0.01 card check ensures your payment details are valid—this isn’t charged and clears within 3–5 days.
  2. Load keyGo via the Thameslink app (ready in 15 minutes) or by tapping in at a station (after two hours).
  3. Start travelling within 30 days, and you’re good to go! 

Remember to always touch in and out for every journey – missed touches may result in a £50 charge unless corrected online. First Class fares aren’t available, and you’ll need to keep payment details updated. 

For discounts, link your Railcard online and keep it handy for inspections.

KeyGo works on most journeys across the Southern network when you use Southern, Gatwick Express or Thameslink trains, plus Great Western Railway services between Gatwick Airport and Dorking Deepdene and South Western Railway services between Dorking and London. It is not valid on any other operators’ services, including Transport for London (TfL) services. 

Frequently asked questions

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* KeyGo will automatically calculate the best value daily or weekly walk-up fare based on the journeys you have made each week (capping applies Monday to Sunday).  The price paid will vary in line with normal walk-up ticket prices depending on time of day of travel, travel frequency, railcards, route travelled and operators used, ensuring you never pay more than you should.  Other ticket options are available if you book in advance.

** Please note that capping values may vary, as there can be a price difference between an any-permitted ticket and a Thameslink-only ticket. You’re still guaranteed the best value, but you may want to consider using only one train service to secure the lowest fare for your travel.

Please note that keyGo cannot be used on the same Key Smartcard together with Flexi Season tickets. Find out more here.

Please read the keyGo terms and conditions