Best Option for London Travelcard?
Dec 14th, 2014, 10:00 AM
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Best Option for London Travelcard?
My husband and I will be in London Christmas week. I'm hoping you all can help me figure out (or confirm my thoughts on) the specific Travelcard to buy.
We'll be in a hotel in central London on our first night. The next day we plan on doing some sightseeing in central London and then will then need to go to a house in Chiswick (zone 2 or 3 depending on which tube stop) we'll be staying at for the rest of the week.
We'll want to visit Hampton Court (zone 4?) and Greenwich (zone 2?) during our time there.
Most things will be closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th so I don't know how much we'll need to card on those days, but there are London Walks on the 24th and 26th so we might want to do one and go into Central London on those days.
We <b>won't</b> need to use it to get to/from Heathrow.
Am I correct in thinking that a Zone 1-4, 7 day Travelcard is still the best way to go here? We'd be using the card potentially for a span of 6 days (though only 4-5 days of actual use). I'd like to take advantage of the 2for1 tickets available when one has these passes.
Where would be the best place to purchase the paper Travelcard eligible for the 2for1 tickets near the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel?
Thanks!
We'll be in a hotel in central London on our first night. The next day we plan on doing some sightseeing in central London and then will then need to go to a house in Chiswick (zone 2 or 3 depending on which tube stop) we'll be staying at for the rest of the week.
We'll want to visit Hampton Court (zone 4?) and Greenwich (zone 2?) during our time there.
Most things will be closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th so I don't know how much we'll need to card on those days, but there are London Walks on the 24th and 26th so we might want to do one and go into Central London on those days.
We <b>won't</b> need to use it to get to/from Heathrow.
Am I correct in thinking that a Zone 1-4, 7 day Travelcard is still the best way to go here? We'd be using the card potentially for a span of 6 days (though only 4-5 days of actual use). I'd like to take advantage of the 2for1 tickets available when one has these passes.
Where would be the best place to purchase the paper Travelcard eligible for the 2for1 tickets near the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel?
Thanks!
Dec 14th, 2014, 11:21 AM
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You've probably seen this but these are the prices for the relevant travelcards and different zones.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms...s-jan-2014.pdf
You could possibly get away with a zone 1-2 travelcard (depending on your Chiswick Tube stop) then pay the excess when you go to Hampton Court.
The railway stations nearest to your Park Lane hotel to purchase your paper travelcard are Charing Cross and Victoria.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms...s-jan-2014.pdf
You could possibly get away with a zone 1-2 travelcard (depending on your Chiswick Tube stop) then pay the excess when you go to Hampton Court.
The railway stations nearest to your Park Lane hotel to purchase your paper travelcard are Charing Cross and Victoria.
Dec 14th, 2014, 11:35 AM
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<i>You could possibly get away with a zone 1-2 travelcard (depending on your Chiswick Tube stop) then pay the excess when you go to Hampton Court.</i>
Thanks, how would that work? How would we pay the excess?
Thanks, how would that work? How would we pay the excess?
Dec 14th, 2014, 11:46 AM
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You pay for travel outside of zones 1 and 2 which are covered by your card - but those are paper National Rail tickets which also qualify for 2 for 1 just like a paper Travelcard.
If landing at Gatwick I believe if taking the train in you can buy paper train tickets for London - buy a return ticket and you qualify for 2 for 1 the whole time you're in London - note Heathrow don't work on this as the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect I believe do not qualify as National Rail lines.
But if the Gatwick works then just buy tube or train tickets as you want or don't.
If landing at Gatwick I believe if taking the train in you can buy paper train tickets for London - buy a return ticket and you qualify for 2 for 1 the whole time you're in London - note Heathrow don't work on this as the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect I believe do not qualify as National Rail lines.
But if the Gatwick works then just buy tube or train tickets as you want or don't.
Dec 14th, 2014, 12:07 PM
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I take it you're travelling from Chiswick to Hampton Court, therefore that journey wouldn't be covered by a zone 1-2 travelcard. You simply buy another ticket for that particular journey on the day.
At street level within the stations you'll see the ticket offices for train tickets, which is where you get your paper travelcards. It's all well signposted. Don't go to the underground Tube ticket offices.
Put your cursor over the icons on these links to see inside the two stations.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/ht...tml?rtnloc=VIC
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/ht...tml?rtnloc=CHX
At street level within the stations you'll see the ticket offices for train tickets, which is where you get your paper travelcards. It's all well signposted. Don't go to the underground Tube ticket offices.
Put your cursor over the icons on these links to see inside the two stations.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/ht...tml?rtnloc=VIC
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/ht...tml?rtnloc=CHX
Dec 14th, 2014, 12:09 PM
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PalenQ-
We won't be taking public transportation to or from the airport so we need to buy the tickets in town.
Logistically, how does one pay for the zones outside 1 and 2 when using the travelcard to get to zone 4? Do you have to buy a separate ticket? Do you do this via a machine? Have to go to a counter? It's been almost 15 years since I've been in London so I'm kind of a newbie to this.
We won't be taking public transportation to or from the airport so we need to buy the tickets in town.
Logistically, how does one pay for the zones outside 1 and 2 when using the travelcard to get to zone 4? Do you have to buy a separate ticket? Do you do this via a machine? Have to go to a counter? It's been almost 15 years since I've been in London so I'm kind of a newbie to this.
Dec 14th, 2014, 12:14 PM
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Well the last time I did that - several years ago - yes I took my TC up to a manned ticket window and got a return ticket from the first station in zone 3 to wherever I wanted to go and back to that station.
Maybe has changed but seems logical it still works. Probably can use a machine if you know the appropriate stations. Will be looking for the definitive answer!
Maybe has changed but seems logical it still works. Probably can use a machine if you know the appropriate stations. Will be looking for the definitive answer!
Dec 14th, 2014, 12:49 PM
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You take your travel card to a manned booth at the train station and tell them you want a ticket to the closest station to Hampton Court and that you already have a zone 1-2 pass. They will give you an additional ticket from the boundary of zone 2 to the station you need, which is in zone 6 I believe, and one for the return journey. I don't think you can do this at a machine.
You buy your paper travel cards (the only ones eligible for the 2for1 discounts) at national rail ticket booths - they will be at street level, unlike the underground stations which are usually underground.
You buy your paper travel cards (the only ones eligible for the 2for1 discounts) at national rail ticket booths - they will be at street level, unlike the underground stations which are usually underground.
Dec 14th, 2014, 01:03 PM
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Hampton Court is the station right smack opposite the palace on the other side of The Thames - you may find it more convenient to take the Tube from where you are staying to Wimbledon, also a National Rail Station that the line from London Waterloo to Hampton Court passes thru and stops at - buy your national rail ticket from there to Hampton Court (or ask for from the first station in the next zone) - easier than the chaotic scenery at Waterlook station IMO and depending on where you hotel is maybe quicker to take the Tube to Wimbledon then train to Hampton Court.
And yes Hampton Court is one of the very finest most interesting and reeking of history palaces anywhere - the English Versailles of King Henry the VIII, one of whose headless wives is alleged by many to still haunt parts of the palace!
I also enjoyed the few mile walk to Hampton Court from Kingston-on-Thames on the Thames Path - if you have time check it out (boats also go regularly from Kingston to the Palace - they do from London too but it is a much longer putz.
And yes Hampton Court is one of the very finest most interesting and reeking of history palaces anywhere - the English Versailles of King Henry the VIII, one of whose headless wives is alleged by many to still haunt parts of the palace!
I also enjoyed the few mile walk to Hampton Court from Kingston-on-Thames on the Thames Path - if you have time check it out (boats also go regularly from Kingston to the Palace - they do from London too but it is a much longer putz.
Dec 14th, 2014, 01:17 PM
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Thanks for all the advice everyone, this is becoming clearer!
The two stations closest to the house in Chiswick are Chiswick Park which is in Zone 3 and Turnham Green which according to several sites is BOTH zone 2 and 3?
I'm wondering if it makes sense to just get a zone 1-3 card for ease of use. Plus, the walking distance from Chiswick Park looks to be about 6 minutes shorter.
The two stations closest to the house in Chiswick are Chiswick Park which is in Zone 3 and Turnham Green which according to several sites is BOTH zone 2 and 3?
I'm wondering if it makes sense to just get a zone 1-3 card for ease of use. Plus, the walking distance from Chiswick Park looks to be about 6 minutes shorter.
Dec 15th, 2014, 07:34 AM
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Last time we flew into Gatwick ~5 yrs ago we took Southern Railway to Victoria. Those round-trip tickets definitely qualified us for the 2-for-1 deals for all the time we were in London.
Not sure about the Gatwick Express, but the Southern train only took about 5-8 minutes longer.
SS
Not sure about the Gatwick Express, but the Southern train only took about 5-8 minutes longer.
SS
Dec 15th, 2014, 07:38 AM
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I see that South West Trains go from Chiswick to Hampton Court. Would I be able to use my Zone 1-3 travelcard and pay the difference here? And if so, what would that be?
It looks like an anytime return trip is 8.7 pounds, but an anytime travelcard for 1 days is 17 pounds.
I would prefer to do this because it's more direct than taking the tube and then switching to a bus (though it's about the same time, 1 hour).
It looks like an anytime return trip is 8.7 pounds, but an anytime travelcard for 1 days is 17 pounds.
I would prefer to do this because it's more direct than taking the tube and then switching to a bus (though it's about the same time, 1 hour).
Dec 15th, 2014, 11:12 AM
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When you go to Chiswick station ask at the ticket office for a day return ticket to Hampton Ct and tell them about whatever travelcard you have. The clerk will tell you what you need to pay. In the grand scheme of things it won't be much.
Dec 15th, 2014, 12:45 PM
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If you already have a 1-3 zone travelcard for your visit day, you definitely do not need an additional 1-day anytime travelcard.
If you bought your 1-3 zone card at a train station, your ticket should qualify you for the 2-for-1 admission to Hampton Court...a real saving. But you have to print out the voucher beforehand...here:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/hampton-court-palace
SS
If you bought your 1-3 zone card at a train station, your ticket should qualify you for the 2-for-1 admission to Hampton Court...a real saving. But you have to print out the voucher beforehand...here:
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/hampton-court-palace
SS
Dec 15th, 2014, 01:55 PM
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ssander - you knowledge of this is much better than mine but let me pose a question - ain't the 2 for 1 scheme meant for people arriving at the attraction by train - the reason only a national railway paper travel card works for it? But if the person don't have a TC covering the zone the attraction is in how can they arrive by train?
I know a ticket to London in general is good for all London sights but a Travel Card not valid in the zone the attraction is in - I wonder - the link you gave did not positively address this issue.
Thanks in advance.
Palenque
I know a ticket to London in general is good for all London sights but a Travel Card not valid in the zone the attraction is in - I wonder - the link you gave did not positively address this issue.
Thanks in advance.
Palenque
Dec 15th, 2014, 06:47 PM
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Thanks! I've already printed out a bunch of vouchers just in case, and I think even if we only use the ones for Hampton Court and Cutty Sark, it will be worth it (hoping to make it to St Paul's too). Unfortunately, our sightseeing days are severely limited by everything being closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th.
Dec 15th, 2014, 08:14 PM
#20
>>ain't the 2 for 1 scheme meant for people arriving at the attraction by train -<<
No PQ -- it mainly is for people traveling to London -- a way to encourage leisure travel by train. But nowhere does it say one should "arrive" at the attraction by train . . . Which I know you know -- since <i>you</i> have <u>often</u> advised using a RT Gatwick Express ticket to qualify for the 2for1 's. You don't think that LGW to Victoria is arriving at the Tower of London by train, do you . . .
Thought not . . .
No PQ -- it mainly is for people traveling to London -- a way to encourage leisure travel by train. But nowhere does it say one should "arrive" at the attraction by train . . . Which I know you know -- since <i>you</i> have <u>often</u> advised using a RT Gatwick Express ticket to qualify for the 2for1 's. You don't think that LGW to Victoria is arriving at the Tower of London by train, do you . . .
Thought not . . .
