Eleven days in London - best options for getting around?
Apr 13th, 2014, 08:36 AM
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Eleven days in London - best options for getting around?
I know this topic has been addressed on this forum, but I am still not totally clear on options for public transportation in London. And, of course, things change, so any up to date information will be greatly appreciated.
We will be in London for 11 days in mid-June - staying in a flat near two tube stations in the City Centre area. We are two active travelers in our early 60s, who are comfortable with taking public transportation in large cities, as well as walking a lot. Although we have stayed for extended periods of time in Rome, Athens, Paris, Madrid, etc - this is our first trip to London, and we hope to see and experience as much as possible in the time we have there.
What is the most economical and practical option for buying passes on the tube and possibly the bus system? I know just a little about Oyster, London Pass, and a few other options, but rather than spend hours comparing the benefits and drawbacks of each, would really appreciate anyone who has experience pointing me in a good direction.
From what I'm reading, some of the London attraction passes come with transportation included for a certain number of days, but I have also read that these are not always the best options. What about buying passes in advance - good idea or unnecessary?
Any information will be much appreciated!
We will be in London for 11 days in mid-June - staying in a flat near two tube stations in the City Centre area. We are two active travelers in our early 60s, who are comfortable with taking public transportation in large cities, as well as walking a lot. Although we have stayed for extended periods of time in Rome, Athens, Paris, Madrid, etc - this is our first trip to London, and we hope to see and experience as much as possible in the time we have there.
What is the most economical and practical option for buying passes on the tube and possibly the bus system? I know just a little about Oyster, London Pass, and a few other options, but rather than spend hours comparing the benefits and drawbacks of each, would really appreciate anyone who has experience pointing me in a good direction.
From what I'm reading, some of the London attraction passes come with transportation included for a certain number of days, but I have also read that these are not always the best options. What about buying passes in advance - good idea or unnecessary?
Any information will be much appreciated!
Apr 13th, 2014, 09:13 AM
#2
First off -- forget about the London Pass -- and DEFINITELY forget about its travel option. Both are rip offs for most visitors.
Assuming you are staying the entire time IN London - what I'd do is each of you get a 7-day zone1-2 Paper travel card - purchased from any mainline train station. (Not from a tube station). And also each buy an Oyster card with some pay-as-you-go ££ on them. (this IS bought in a tube station)
the paper travel card is essentially a train ticket so it gets you the 2for1 discounts here http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/?gclid...FUqUfgodVlYACQ
Then after the first 7 days -- If you've hit all the 2for1 sites you want - then load a 7-day zone 1-2 travel card on your existing oysters. If you still have 2for1's to visit - then buy new paper travel cards, and maybe load more PAYG on your oysters.
Even though you won't have a full weeks left - for more than 4 days, a 7 day travel card is most economical. The PAYG ££ will cover you for trips outside of zones 1-2 like Hampton Court or Heathrow.
Assuming you are staying the entire time IN London - what I'd do is each of you get a 7-day zone1-2 Paper travel card - purchased from any mainline train station. (Not from a tube station). And also each buy an Oyster card with some pay-as-you-go ££ on them. (this IS bought in a tube station)
the paper travel card is essentially a train ticket so it gets you the 2for1 discounts here http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/?gclid...FUqUfgodVlYACQ
Then after the first 7 days -- If you've hit all the 2for1 sites you want - then load a 7-day zone 1-2 travel card on your existing oysters. If you still have 2for1's to visit - then buy new paper travel cards, and maybe load more PAYG on your oysters.
Even though you won't have a full weeks left - for more than 4 days, a 7 day travel card is most economical. The PAYG ££ will cover you for trips outside of zones 1-2 like Hampton Court or Heathrow.
Apr 13th, 2014, 09:59 AM
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Thank you janisj - I looked at the website, and I think this is how it works: you buy the train tickets and then you can also buy the two-for-one tickets for any of the attractions listed. Is that right? And is it best to do this all in advance, or figure out where the nearest train station is to purchase when we get there?
Apr 13th, 2014, 10:54 AM
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Close, scdreamer. You don't buy the 2-for-1 attraction tickets ahead of time, but you do print out the coupons for any you might like to visit ahead of time. In most cases you will just present your coupon at the ticket window, and they may very well ask to see your train tickets (in your case a paper travelcard) with the coupon. They will then sell you the ticket(s) on the spot.
An exception might be for an exhibit that requires reservations. You would make the reservation, but not pay in advance for the tickets. You would want to pay using your coupon.
I also unwittingly printed out a 3-for-1 coupon and felt a bit of a fool showing up at the ticket window with only two people.
Going through all the 2-for-1 offers takes a little time but I found that it is really worth the effort. We saved quite a bit on a few visits to London, and even went to see things we might have not otherwise visited. We also had coupons we didn't use, but it was good to know we had them.
An exception might be for an exhibit that requires reservations. You would make the reservation, but not pay in advance for the tickets. You would want to pay using your coupon.
I also unwittingly printed out a 3-for-1 coupon and felt a bit of a fool showing up at the ticket window with only two people.
Going through all the 2-for-1 offers takes a little time but I found that it is really worth the effort. We saved quite a bit on a few visits to London, and even went to see things we might have not otherwise visited. We also had coupons we didn't use, but it was good to know we had them.
Apr 13th, 2014, 11:11 AM
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I like an unlimited 7 day bus pass. £20.20, loaded onto an Oyster (additional money there for the tube) and then using it like crazy. I get paper bus maps at Tube windows, though there are more informative options for smartphone types. You could buy additional day bus passes for your other four.
The bus has the advantage of being aboveground where you can see things, and there are lots of them and frequently. Your Oyster also gets you a discount on the Thames Clipper speedy boat from N. Greenwich to Westminster. Far more pleasant than the Tube for that journey.
The bus has the advantage of being aboveground where you can see things, and there are lots of them and frequently. Your Oyster also gets you a discount on the Thames Clipper speedy boat from N. Greenwich to Westminster. Far more pleasant than the Tube for that journey.
Apr 13th, 2014, 11:25 AM
#7
>>I like an unlimited 7 day bus pass. £20.20, loaded onto an Oyster >. . . then you can also buy the two-for-one tickets for any of the attractions listed. Is that right? And is it best to do this all in advance, or figure out where the nearest train station is to purchase when we get there?cannot pre-purchase your tickets to any of the 2for1 sites. If you do you'll pay full price.
You can buy the paper travel cards at any train station. Where are you staying - then we can tell you which train station is most convenient.
You can buy the paper travel cards at any train station. Where are you staying - then we can tell you which train station is most convenient.
Apr 13th, 2014, 11:53 AM
#8
My friend Kim scoped this out before we went. Here are the nuts and bolts of getting our 2FOR1 courtesy of Kim:
“Getting 2-for-1 tickets is a little tricky, or at least the online directions had us confused (http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk).
“The process makes sense if you remember one critical point: the 2FOR1 pass is a promotion sponsored by the National Rail network to entice the British to purchase National Rail train tickets to London. Thus, to secure the 2FOR1 tickets you have to buy a ticket from a National Rail ticket booth.
“Many foreign visitors may think that 2FOR1 tickets are not for them because they're not going to buy a National Rail train ticket. Happily that is not a problem because there is a delightful loophole…the Travelcard.
“Travelcards are not only an inexpensive and convenient way to access London's bus and underground networks, the cards are also valid on the National Rail network. This means the National Rail sells train tickets and Travelcards, and if you buy a Travelcard from National Rail you can also get 2FOR1 tickets by showing your Travelcard at the 2FOR1 venue (don’t confuse the Travelcard with the Oyster Card, which is also an inexpensive way to access the underground and bus system, but is not recognized by National Rail as a rail ticket and not good for 2FOR1 tickets).
“The challenge is that most ticket booths that sell Travelcards are not operated by National Rail. Even some National Rail station ticket booths are not operated by the National Rail (for example the Heathrow rail station is operated by Heathrow Express and not valid for 2FOR1 tickets). To add to the confusion, several London rail stations have some ticket booths operated by National Rail and others operated by the Underground. Again to get 2FOR1 tickets, the Travelcards must be purchased from National Rail, so be careful out there.
“According to online research the following London stations have National Rail ticket booths:
Cannon Street
Charing Cross
Euston
Fenchurch Street
King's Cross
Liverpool Street
London Bridge
Paddington
Victoria
Waterloo
“Now, finally at Vauxhall, we each purchased a one-way tube ticket (£4) to Victoria Station where we would attempt to pick up our Travelcards. The vender looked at us like we were crazy because no one pays full price for a Tube ticket; everyone uses a Travelcard or an Oyster Card (which he tried to sell us), but we were on a mission to the nearest National Rail ticket booth at Victoria Station.”
“Once there, we handed over our passport-sized photos (two each) to the guy at the desk. He carefully cut one so it would fit perfectly on our Photocard, and we each also received our 7-Day Travelcard that would allow us to use the tube freely in London Zones 1 & 2 (where virtually everything you want to see in London is located).
“Total cost for this deal is only £30 each, or what we called “The Bargain Of The Century.” Not only do you get to ride the tube for free for a week (and we rode it a lot), you also get 2-for-1 tickets at many of London’s attractions.”
Thanks to Kim’s research, getting the Photocard and 7-Day Travelcard was a piece of cake (or in England, I gues it would be, “a piece of Sticky Toffee Pudding”).
NOTE: If you forget to have your photos taken before you leave, there is a kiosk very close to the ticket window at Victoria Station (and I assume the other National Railway stations) where you can have your picture taken (for a price, of course)."
Hope this helps.
“Getting 2-for-1 tickets is a little tricky, or at least the online directions had us confused (http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk).
“The process makes sense if you remember one critical point: the 2FOR1 pass is a promotion sponsored by the National Rail network to entice the British to purchase National Rail train tickets to London. Thus, to secure the 2FOR1 tickets you have to buy a ticket from a National Rail ticket booth.
“Many foreign visitors may think that 2FOR1 tickets are not for them because they're not going to buy a National Rail train ticket. Happily that is not a problem because there is a delightful loophole…the Travelcard.
“Travelcards are not only an inexpensive and convenient way to access London's bus and underground networks, the cards are also valid on the National Rail network. This means the National Rail sells train tickets and Travelcards, and if you buy a Travelcard from National Rail you can also get 2FOR1 tickets by showing your Travelcard at the 2FOR1 venue (don’t confuse the Travelcard with the Oyster Card, which is also an inexpensive way to access the underground and bus system, but is not recognized by National Rail as a rail ticket and not good for 2FOR1 tickets).
“The challenge is that most ticket booths that sell Travelcards are not operated by National Rail. Even some National Rail station ticket booths are not operated by the National Rail (for example the Heathrow rail station is operated by Heathrow Express and not valid for 2FOR1 tickets). To add to the confusion, several London rail stations have some ticket booths operated by National Rail and others operated by the Underground. Again to get 2FOR1 tickets, the Travelcards must be purchased from National Rail, so be careful out there.
“According to online research the following London stations have National Rail ticket booths:
Cannon Street
Charing Cross
Euston
Fenchurch Street
King's Cross
Liverpool Street
London Bridge
Paddington
Victoria
Waterloo
“Now, finally at Vauxhall, we each purchased a one-way tube ticket (£4) to Victoria Station where we would attempt to pick up our Travelcards. The vender looked at us like we were crazy because no one pays full price for a Tube ticket; everyone uses a Travelcard or an Oyster Card (which he tried to sell us), but we were on a mission to the nearest National Rail ticket booth at Victoria Station.”
“Once there, we handed over our passport-sized photos (two each) to the guy at the desk. He carefully cut one so it would fit perfectly on our Photocard, and we each also received our 7-Day Travelcard that would allow us to use the tube freely in London Zones 1 & 2 (where virtually everything you want to see in London is located).
“Total cost for this deal is only £30 each, or what we called “The Bargain Of The Century.” Not only do you get to ride the tube for free for a week (and we rode it a lot), you also get 2-for-1 tickets at many of London’s attractions.”
Thanks to Kim’s research, getting the Photocard and 7-Day Travelcard was a piece of cake (or in England, I gues it would be, “a piece of Sticky Toffee Pudding”).
NOTE: If you forget to have your photos taken before you leave, there is a kiosk very close to the ticket window at Victoria Station (and I assume the other National Railway stations) where you can have your picture taken (for a price, of course)."
Hope this helps.
Apr 13th, 2014, 12:11 PM
#9
slight correction to maitai's post . . .
National Rail doesn't operate any stations. (that ended a couple of decades ago), The list of stations in the post are those operated by Network Rail. There are many other train stations in London and you can get the applicable paper travel cards at almost all of them (except not at Heathrow)
National Rail doesn't operate any stations. (that ended a couple of decades ago), The list of stations in the post are those operated by Network Rail. There are many other train stations in London and you can get the applicable paper travel cards at almost all of them (except not at Heathrow)
Apr 13th, 2014, 01:09 PM
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According to online research the following London stations have National Rail ticket booths:
Cannon Street
Charing Cross
Euston
Fenchurch Street
King's Cross
Liverpool Street
London Bridge
Paddington
Victoria
Waterloo
That list is missing a few considering that Marylebone and St Pancras, Blackfriars, Waterloo East and others are "national rail" stations. The National Rail website (www.nationalrail.co.uk) will have info for all stations in London.
That said, this is a 3.5 step process and is far more easily distilled from all the extraneous info Maitaitom put in.
(1) Before you leave for London go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk and print off every voucher for every site that looks interesting.
(2) Bring passport size photos with you to London or get them in London before you get your travelcard. [This is the 1/2 step]
(3) When you arrive in London go to the nearest National Rail ticket booth and buy your 7-day Travelcards for zone 1-2 for everyone in your party. This should be a flimsy plastic-coated orange card the size of a credit card but 1/5 the thickness. It should have the old national rail symbol printed on the bottom. If it is blue and thick and looks like a credit card, you messed up (that's an Oyster card, and it's separate). You CAN specify that you want the 7-day travelcard to be effective starting the next day (so that your recover-from-jet lag day doesn't count).
(4) Present said travelcard and voucher at the places that honor the two-for-one.
You do NOT prepurchase tickets to any of the covered sites. You do NOT prepurchase the travelcard before you arrive in London.
You do NOT buy a bus-only card (which is just daft - the buses are nice, but if you want to get anywhere in London, you need to avoid London traffic - the Tube avoids traffic, the buses create it).
The two for one deals are applicable for pensioner rates (which you should qualify for - check the various places you want to go, if you have an American Association of Real-Old People card, that may work but I dunno yet and my own oldies make you seem young so they can get lower entry fees on their, um, looks).
Cannon Street
Charing Cross
Euston
Fenchurch Street
King's Cross
Liverpool Street
London Bridge
Paddington
Victoria
Waterloo
That list is missing a few considering that Marylebone and St Pancras, Blackfriars, Waterloo East and others are "national rail" stations. The National Rail website (www.nationalrail.co.uk) will have info for all stations in London.
That said, this is a 3.5 step process and is far more easily distilled from all the extraneous info Maitaitom put in.
(1) Before you leave for London go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk and print off every voucher for every site that looks interesting.
(2) Bring passport size photos with you to London or get them in London before you get your travelcard. [This is the 1/2 step]
(3) When you arrive in London go to the nearest National Rail ticket booth and buy your 7-day Travelcards for zone 1-2 for everyone in your party. This should be a flimsy plastic-coated orange card the size of a credit card but 1/5 the thickness. It should have the old national rail symbol printed on the bottom. If it is blue and thick and looks like a credit card, you messed up (that's an Oyster card, and it's separate). You CAN specify that you want the 7-day travelcard to be effective starting the next day (so that your recover-from-jet lag day doesn't count).
(4) Present said travelcard and voucher at the places that honor the two-for-one.
You do NOT prepurchase tickets to any of the covered sites. You do NOT prepurchase the travelcard before you arrive in London.
You do NOT buy a bus-only card (which is just daft - the buses are nice, but if you want to get anywhere in London, you need to avoid London traffic - the Tube avoids traffic, the buses create it).
The two for one deals are applicable for pensioner rates (which you should qualify for - check the various places you want to go, if you have an American Association of Real-Old People card, that may work but I dunno yet and my own oldies make you seem young so they can get lower entry fees on their, um, looks).
Apr 13th, 2014, 07:31 PM
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Wow - thank you to everyone for such illuminating responses! So much great information.
We are staying in a flat on Pepys Street near the Tower of London - does that help in identifying the closest station with a National Rail booth?
We are staying in a flat on Pepys Street near the Tower of London - does that help in identifying the closest station with a National Rail booth?
