child rate cash fare for tube (Oyster question)
Jul 31st, 2006, 05:00 PM
#1
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child rate cash fare for tube (Oyster question)
For a thirteen year old in London, buses and trams are free. The official line is that children under 14 do not need a photo child's Oyster Card for PAYG or 1-3 day travel cards. If I get a regular Oyster Card for my 13 year old and use PAYG for the tubes, how do I get the discounted child's rate? Do you swipe in a different place or what? - How do they know?
Thank you so much. I always read everything I can before asking, because I know how frequent these Oyster questions are...
Thank you so much. I always read everything I can before asking, because I know how frequent these Oyster questions are...
Jul 31st, 2006, 05:41 PM
#2
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The rules changed recently. See if this link clarifies the situation for you:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06/general.asp
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06/general.asp
Aug 1st, 2006, 04:29 AM
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Hmmm... For tourists traveling to London for only short periods of time, it sounds impossible to do the whole post office application thing in time for it to matter. I guess the best thing for us would be to use the bus (free for her) or just plan on her paying the adult price to use the tube.
Thank you for the link information.
Thank you for the link information.
Aug 1st, 2006, 04:50 AM
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IF you load a Travelcard on your Oyster, your 13yo qualifies for Kids for a Quid. Depending on your usage, this might net out to less than PAYG for both of you.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...ids-for1.shtml
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...ids-for1.shtml
Aug 1st, 2006, 04:09 PM
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I see. So if my husband and I purchase seven day travel cards and load it on our Oysters, we can purchase a child rate off peak travel card for one pound on days we use the tube... So, we could go on a day to day basis with her since some days we may only use the buses. And, I guess, one of us could get a travel card and one of us just PAYG with our Oysters for even further savings. Maybe I will get this down yet...
Aug 1st, 2006, 04:42 PM
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Robespierre -
I have learned the hard way that all plans should be tentative...LOL! I'll make all of these elaborate plans and then toss them out the door when I see a shorter line or find myself feeling tired. Planning is much of the fun BUT can sure be overdone. I have to remind myself that the purpose of going on vacation is to have FUN! And, although I'm sure not wealthy, I think convenience and time saving win out over cost with me most of the time.
I have learned the hard way that all plans should be tentative...LOL! I'll make all of these elaborate plans and then toss them out the door when I see a shorter line or find myself feeling tired. Planning is much of the fun BUT can sure be overdone. I have to remind myself that the purpose of going on vacation is to have FUN! And, although I'm sure not wealthy, I think convenience and time saving win out over cost with me most of the time.
Aug 1st, 2006, 05:19 PM
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for Oyster card advice direct from a Londoner, see http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=160.topic
Now you've done it
Aug 1st, 2006, 06:07 PM
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We were in London in early July. I asked an agent at the Edgeware Rd station what kind of ticket to purchase for my 15 year old, and was told to get a child ticket. At that time, the cost for a 1 day child travel card was 2 gbp (off peak travel). No photo id required. No different place to swipe the card. Never were we questioned.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 04:06 AM
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"...if you use the prepay ticket the total cost will not go higher than the appropriate travel card for that day."
So says the London resident.
What he forgot to mention is that the Oyster cap is 50p less than the cost of a one-day Travelcard. So for Zones 1-2, the most you can pay is £4.40 for Tube and bus, or £3 for bus only.
So says the London resident.
What he forgot to mention is that the Oyster cap is 50p less than the cost of a one-day Travelcard. So for Zones 1-2, the most you can pay is £4.40 for Tube and bus, or £3 for bus only.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 04:43 AM
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There is so much misinformation out there, and I read the thread on the other forum it's incredible, even from naitive Londoners.
I read one naitive Londoner say that oyster is meant only for residents not for tourists and not to bother. WRONG.
I read somebody else proclaim he wouldn't want oyster since he wouldn't think of waiting on a queue after a long overnight flight and wants to get it in advance.
My my..one would think it was rocket science.
Here goes one more time....
If you're staying in London more than 2 days, the only way to go is OYSTER and there is no second (unless of course you never use public transportation).
You have 2 choices...either a 7 day zone 1 & 2 pass (assumining you're staying in Central London) or pay as you go (PAYG)
7 day travelcard on Oyster costs £22.20...pretty much a no brainer for 6 or 7 days.
5 days is the question...fewer than 5 days clearly pays.
Advantage of 7 day pass...
1. No 0930 weekday restriction. Good 24/7 during the 7 day period.
2. Cheaper extension fares to Heathrow if you're tubing in and/or out. Extension fare to Heathrow is only £1 except weekdays from 0700 to 1900 when it is £1.80.
3. No £3 deposit when buying it for the first use of the card.
Now PAYG
1. Given cash fares, you will almost always want to buy a travelcard unless you're only making 1 tube trip during a day...the tube now costs £3 per a single trip so a return is £6...a one day paper travelcard off peak costs £4.90...a one day peak is somewhat more. Bus fares cash are £1.50...a one day bus pass is £3.50
2. With Oyster, if you only take a return trip on the tube during a day it will cost you £3 no matter when you go as the single fare on the tube for zone 1 is £1.50...ADVANTAGE OYSTER.
3. The key idea with Oyster PAYG is the capping. On a given day, you will never pay more than £4.40, 50p less than a one day travelcard, provided your first trip of the day is after 0930 on a weekday. You don't have to keep track, they keep track for you. Many a time you might start out with every intention of making several trips on public transport and end up for one reason or another not using it. Oyster gives you complete flexibility.
Once you have bought the card for the first time you can top it up at any of the vending machines for amounts as low as 10p...you can track your usage very easily on the machines.
Bus fares...single trips on oyster are either 80p or £1 if you use a bus between 0700 and 0900 on a weekday...a one day bus pass on oyster is £3..this will automatically kick in if you use only buses on a given day...if you then take a tube trip it becomes a one day off peak if appropriate travel card....you have complete flexibility as to what you're going to do on a given day.
I can't conceive that anybody would want to pay cash unless, as I said, they're only going to be in London for a day or two.
The card never expires so once you have it, you use it on every suceeding trip.
I read one naitive Londoner say that oyster is meant only for residents not for tourists and not to bother. WRONG.
I read somebody else proclaim he wouldn't want oyster since he wouldn't think of waiting on a queue after a long overnight flight and wants to get it in advance.
My my..one would think it was rocket science.
Here goes one more time....
If you're staying in London more than 2 days, the only way to go is OYSTER and there is no second (unless of course you never use public transportation).
You have 2 choices...either a 7 day zone 1 & 2 pass (assumining you're staying in Central London) or pay as you go (PAYG)
7 day travelcard on Oyster costs £22.20...pretty much a no brainer for 6 or 7 days.
5 days is the question...fewer than 5 days clearly pays.
Advantage of 7 day pass...
1. No 0930 weekday restriction. Good 24/7 during the 7 day period.
2. Cheaper extension fares to Heathrow if you're tubing in and/or out. Extension fare to Heathrow is only £1 except weekdays from 0700 to 1900 when it is £1.80.
3. No £3 deposit when buying it for the first use of the card.
Now PAYG
1. Given cash fares, you will almost always want to buy a travelcard unless you're only making 1 tube trip during a day...the tube now costs £3 per a single trip so a return is £6...a one day paper travelcard off peak costs £4.90...a one day peak is somewhat more. Bus fares cash are £1.50...a one day bus pass is £3.50
2. With Oyster, if you only take a return trip on the tube during a day it will cost you £3 no matter when you go as the single fare on the tube for zone 1 is £1.50...ADVANTAGE OYSTER.
3. The key idea with Oyster PAYG is the capping. On a given day, you will never pay more than £4.40, 50p less than a one day travelcard, provided your first trip of the day is after 0930 on a weekday. You don't have to keep track, they keep track for you. Many a time you might start out with every intention of making several trips on public transport and end up for one reason or another not using it. Oyster gives you complete flexibility.
Once you have bought the card for the first time you can top it up at any of the vending machines for amounts as low as 10p...you can track your usage very easily on the machines.
Bus fares...single trips on oyster are either 80p or £1 if you use a bus between 0700 and 0900 on a weekday...a one day bus pass on oyster is £3..this will automatically kick in if you use only buses on a given day...if you then take a tube trip it becomes a one day off peak if appropriate travel card....you have complete flexibility as to what you're going to do on a given day.
I can't conceive that anybody would want to pay cash unless, as I said, they're only going to be in London for a day or two.
The card never expires so once you have it, you use it on every suceeding trip.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 04:44 AM
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I'm unclear what point Saratoga is trying to make.
The question is about putting 7-day travelcards on Oystercards. Saratoga's answer refers to one-day travelcards, for which different age verification rules apply.
And I really wouldn't depend too much on Londoners' understanding of the subtleties of Oystercard rules. We have enough trouble working out what works for us. Knowing what works for a 14 yo who wants to start at Gatwick and come in daily from outside the tube area demands the expert skills that only monomaniac foreign visitors can summon up the energy to dig out.
The question is about putting 7-day travelcards on Oystercards. Saratoga's answer refers to one-day travelcards, for which different age verification rules apply.
And I really wouldn't depend too much on Londoners' understanding of the subtleties of Oystercard rules. We have enough trouble working out what works for us. Knowing what works for a 14 yo who wants to start at Gatwick and come in daily from outside the tube area demands the expert skills that only monomaniac foreign visitors can summon up the energy to dig out.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 01:40 PM
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Monomaniacs unite! LOL...
All of your replies have been very helpful. I think once we get a look at the machines and use the system once it will all start dropping into place. The worst thing that can happen is that we're not savvy enough to finesse the system properly and we end up spending a few pounds extra. With our weak dollar, it will be the least of our expenditures, I'm sure.
It all seems so daunting at first that we sure appreciate you taking the time to help us sort it out.
All of your replies have been very helpful. I think once we get a look at the machines and use the system once it will all start dropping into place. The worst thing that can happen is that we're not savvy enough to finesse the system properly and we end up spending a few pounds extra. With our weak dollar, it will be the least of our expenditures, I'm sure.
It all seems so daunting at first that we sure appreciate you taking the time to help us sort it out.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 06:21 AM
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Sources close to the "native londoner" said today that Robespierre is right, if rather too anal for his own good. Really it's not healthy to know too much about this stuff. It will give you Chalfonts.
The Oyster card cap is 50p less than the paper version.
I don't think that monomaniacs can unite. They'd argue about everything. It would be like a pedant's convention.
The Oyster card cap is 50p less than the paper version.
I don't think that monomaniacs can unite. They'd argue about everything. It would be like a pedant's convention.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 06:43 AM
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Some people (I am told) have to strain over detailed technical literature repeatedly and with great concentration in order to grasp its essence.
I, by contrast, am one of those possessing the damnable ability to read something once at high speed and retain 95% of its content accurately for years.
This, predictably, is considered "anal" by those lacking that particular skill. And it is <i>these</i> who should leave alone the intricacies of the TfL tariff, in the interest of their own digestive safety.
I, by contrast, am one of those possessing the damnable ability to read something once at high speed and retain 95% of its content accurately for years.
This, predictably, is considered "anal" by those lacking that particular skill. And it is <i>these</i> who should leave alone the intricacies of the TfL tariff, in the interest of their own digestive safety.
Aug 4th, 2006, 06:02 PM
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Robespierre...I have found with age (just a mere 38 here) that my photographic abilities require a new memory card....I could recite phone numbers from 25 years ago of all my friends when I was 13...well over 20 numbers...people were always amazed...I put so many dates/figures in my head the next 25 years that I think I have capped out my ability...
Alas, now the more data I put in...something is selected by a portion of my brain I have not yet figured how to regulate for deletion...If I put in the information about the kid for a quid into my head..POOF there goes my daughter's birthday....I'm hoping there's a vitamin for this...
All this to say, thank goodness your memory chip is working fine...that link to the kid for a quid is JUST what I was looking for!!! Thank you!!!
So for the original poster...that should answer it...kid for a quid and you buy your travel card. Whew! Hope I just didn't lose my anniversary date!
Tara
Alas, now the more data I put in...something is selected by a portion of my brain I have not yet figured how to regulate for deletion...If I put in the information about the kid for a quid into my head..POOF there goes my daughter's birthday....I'm hoping there's a vitamin for this...
All this to say, thank goodness your memory chip is working fine...that link to the kid for a quid is JUST what I was looking for!!! Thank you!!!
So for the original poster...that should answer it...kid for a quid and you buy your travel card. Whew! Hope I just didn't lose my anniversary date!
Tara
Aug 5th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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I have no idea why this is so confusing to me but can someone tell me if I have this correct?
We are traveling to London in 2007
We are two adults, two children age 12 & 10. We plan on purchasing a 7 day zone 1 & 2 travel card for £22.20 each for the adults, my 10 year old is free. For my 12 year I should get the Oyster card loaded with however much we think she will need so that she only pays £1 per ride.
Then we just pay for the extension fees when we go to Hampton Court or any other area that is outside of the zones 1 and 2. We only plan on doing this twice
Is this correct?
Also does the Oyster card need to have a photo on it? If it doesn what size photo should I take with us for her?
Thanks
We are traveling to London in 2007
We are two adults, two children age 12 & 10. We plan on purchasing a 7 day zone 1 & 2 travel card for £22.20 each for the adults, my 10 year old is free. For my 12 year I should get the Oyster card loaded with however much we think she will need so that she only pays £1 per ride.
Then we just pay for the extension fees when we go to Hampton Court or any other area that is outside of the zones 1 and 2. We only plan on doing this twice
Is this correct?
Also does the Oyster card need to have a photo on it? If it doesn what size photo should I take with us for her?
Thanks
Aug 5th, 2006, 07:59 AM
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Photos are <i>only</i> required for "boderline" aged teens to prove they qualify for age-based discounts.
Buying single fares (even Oyster) for your 12-yo wouldn't make sense. Instead, use this: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...ids-for1.shtml
Buying single fares (even Oyster) for your 12-yo wouldn't make sense. Instead, use this: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...ids-for1.shtml
