Lynn S.

Family of 5 will be in London for 4 days. Staying in hotel near Heathrow, will be using the Tube or buses daily. What pass will be most economical for a family covering the necessary travel zones? Have researched but am confused between the pass that can be purchased in the States and the pass that can be puchased in London and needing a picture? <BR>Please help end the confusion!

elvira

The London Visitors TravelCard (no photo) is for 'visitors', and must be bought OUTSIDE the U.K. The other passes are for residents (you can buy them, too, don't worry); those that are for 7 or more days require photos. Weekend and day passes do NOT. Unless you are absolutely positive you will ALL travel together ALL the time, don't get group or family passes. <BR> <BR>You will need zones 1-6 to travel everyday from Heathrow into the city.

Londoner

There's also a pass for the family called the "family pass"....you must travel together though for all rides. <BR> <BR>This is terribly discounted....see www.londontransport.co.uk

steve

we bought passes at the local newsstand/grocery store each of the days we were in London. For travel after 9:30 AM it was very cheap - the children were less than a pound I think

becky

Our family of 5 bought the tube/bus/train passes before we left the states. We used the tube every day; once you get the hang of it, it is so much easier than the bus. Be aware that you may be climbing lots of stairs using the tube. Sometimes the escalators were out of order or during busy times the stairs were quicker. There is one tube station where there is a winding staircase warning people by a sign and audio that it is equivalent to walking up 15 stories. Believe the warning. It was more fun walking back down and listening to people on their way up complain!

Julian

If you buy in London: <BR>ZONES 1 and 2 (ie Central London) <BR>One day travelcard £3.90 for use after 9.30am only on weekdays or all day Sat, Sun, public holidays; <BR>One day LT travelcard £5 (children £2.50), valid one day without time limit as above; <BR>Weekend £5.80; <BR>Family = one or two adults each £2.60 plus 1-4 children each £0.80 (same validity as one day travelcard); <BR>7 day £18.20 (needs photocard). <BR>Valid on buses too. <BR>Heathrow is in zone 6 so you would need a top up to get there, but apart from that virtually everything you want to see is in zone 1 and some things (eg Greenwich) are in zone 2. <BR>The 7 day is available as zone 1 only for £15.30. <BR>Children are 5-15 yrs, but 14-15 yr olds require a Child Photocard. <BR>There is a special pass available if you are daft enough to want to go to the Dome.