mlewislusso

Too late (I think) to order travelcard and have it delivered prior to my departure. If I get it at Heathrow (can I?), can I set the start date a week after I arrive--(will be traveling onto Scotland for a week), or is the start date the day I purchase it? I hope this makes sense.
Thank you for all the help the members have given me so far!!!

xyz123

Travelcards are sold at every tube station so there is no need whatsoever to buy it in advance...the day you wish to start it is the day you can buy it with no hassle whatsoever...

Buying the travelcard (I assume you want the 7 day one) is somewhat more convenient as for example you can get a card for zone 1 only for about £3 less than the zone 1 & 2 which is equivalent to the visitor's travelcard I assume you are referring to.

Should you get a zone 1 instead of zone 1 & 2...well the 2 main tourist attractions in zone 2 is the zoo and Greenwich...if you're going to one you can always get an extension for £1.10 for each direction to cover the trip that morning to the destination and back in zone 2; if you're going to both then it is more economical to buy the zone 1 & 2. If you are tubing back to Heathrow at the end of the trip duirng the validity of the travelcard you don't need to buy a ticket to Heathrow, rather you get an extension. Heathrow is in zone 6 so you would need a zone 2-6 extension if you have a zone 1 travelcard (£2.20).

ballbuster

I thought the Visitor Travelcard was only zones 1-6. and Kensington Palace is in zone 2 but close enough to tube stations in zone 1

kleeblatt

I bought my Zone 1 and 2 Oyster card at Heathrow airport. I made my purchase at the Travel Office located at the tube station at the airport. You can buy any travel card you need there. Enjoy England!

janis

You are probably talking about a "Visitor" Travel Card. There is really no reason one needs to buy one of these ahead of time. As xyz says, normal, everyday travel cards are available at every tube station -- there is really not much advantage to the "visitor" versions.

And because of the various zone combinations, weekend and/or family cards, the options are better after you are in London.

Just get a zone 1 (or possibly zone 1-2) travel card the day you get back from Scotland . . . . .

xyz123

Kensington Palace in zone 2? I don't think so...isn't that the one near Kensington High Street station which most assuredly is in zone 1 or is it another palace you're thinking of?

david_west

Zones 1-2 will do for all the major sights. If you're travelling out further eg Hampton Ct, greenwich etc, you just buy a top-up ticket.

Tickets are on sale at every station and many convenience shops (usually newsagents as they open early)

historytraveler

Kensington Palace is most assuredly in Zone 1. However newbies to the tube system can easily go astray on the District Line and end up in Zone 2.