nycjenny

Is it still possible to buy the Visitor Travelcards at the tube station in Heathrow? That's what we did back in 2003 and would like to do this again on our trip in January. I can't find the answer on the tfl website and I've searched the Fodor's archives, but don't see a recent answer on this one. Has anyone done this lately?

Thanks,
nycjenny

nibblette

Do you mean the 7 day Travelcards? If so, they can be purchased at any Underground station, including the one at Heathrow. You no longer will need a photocard for the 7-day TC beginning in Jan.
Please note, there are several changes to the Travelcards beginning Jan 2, 2005. New 3 day TC for zones 1-2 and 1-6. Don't know what the tariffs for these will be. The 2-day weekend TC will be withdrawn.

nycjenny

I should have been more specific. I was referring to the Visitor Travelcard (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/promo-visitor-overseas.shtml)
When we bought it at Heathrow in 2003 we had to show our passports to prove we were foreign visitors.

On the website it says you can buy it online or from an overseas agent, but no mention of the booth at Heathrow. In 2003 I knew to go to the booth at Heathrow because of posters on Fodor's...just wondering if anyone has done it lately.

Laurie

Does anyone know how much the new 3 day travelcard for adults for zones 1-2 will cost?
Are they available at all tube stations and do you need photos?

Thanks for your help! Laurie

Kayb95

It is my understanding that the "Visitor" cards are only available online or through agents (but at inflated prices.) Once you arrive in London, you can purchase regular Travel Cards at any tube station.

Sher

There is a UK tourist office in Manhattan. They have an 800 number and are very nice answering all kinds of questions.
I purchased a voucher last year at this office before my trip and turned it in when I arrived in London.
I purchased the card only sold to visitors from outside of the UK, but there are ones you can get upon arrival. And you can get them at Heathrow.
The best thing would be to go into the office if you can. They have all kinds of information free for the asking.

adamhornets

Message for Laurie -

The new 3 day travelcard for Zones one & two cost £15.00. You buy at a tube station and you DONT need a photo and travel is for all day not just after 9.30am.

djkbooks

Here's a link to the travelcard fares, where there's also a link to download the entire 2005 fare guide.

http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk...rd-day-2.shtml

Anonymous

It's hardly worth the extra trouble to purchase a visitors travelcard, they represent a very small savings over the comparable travelcards vailable at every tube station in London.

For zones 1 and 2, a 7-day visitors travelcard costs £20.40, vs. £21.40 for a regular 7-day travelcard. For 3-day cards, the prices are £13.40 and £15.00 respectively.

PalQ

Seven day London Visitor Travelcards, which can be used every day anytime (not after 9:30am which some in London require) and give a booklet of minor discounts at dozens of places can be ordered thru Budget Europe for $36 plus a $5 mail fee - these cards are being phased out Mar 31 but if purchased by then can be used until mar 31 2006 at these prices, which, unlike post above is not inflated but actually cheaper than similar travelcards sold in London (21.40 x $2=1 pound makes it $42.80, so is cheaper here currently. Common claim in Fodor posts is that railpasses, travelcards, etc. always cheaper there is simply uninformed drivel! Sometimes it is the case not not always!

Anonymous

No need to go through an agency that charges $5 to mail the visitors travelcards; you can order directly through TfL/ticket-on-line:

http://www.ticket-on-line.com/cgi-bi...tc_select_page

Anonymous

PalQ, I believe that Kayb95's comment about inflated prices was a comparison between two different ways of buying visitors travelcards -- either (1) directly from TfL online with free shipping or (2) through agents who charge for shipping or who otherwise inflate the price, as in the case of the agency that you recommended.

PalQ

Maybe i'm missing something. If two people buy two 7-day LON Vis TCards at $36 = $72 plus $5 = $77
or if TFL charges 21.20 pounds (from above post) with free shipping doesn't that come out to 42.40 pounds x $2=1 pound or $84.80?
I must be missing something but $77 sounds cheaper than $84 by about $7! Pardon my stupidity - anonymous what am i missing?

PalQ

Plus when i bought my travelcards here with a BritRail pass they didn't charge me anything extra - the $5 is for passes costing less than $200 or something! I realize it's no big savings in buying here but i just take issue with the 'inflated' price statement - i'd say TFL's price is inflated over the same pass they market here!

nycjenny

Thanks guys, I went ahead and bought it online rather than looking for it at Heathrow. Doesn't sound like anyone has experience with that lately anyway.

I ordered it from TFL--PalQ, the exchange rate isn't *quite* 1 to 1 yet. 1 GBP= $1.93 so the Travelcard at 20.40 GBP cost us $39.45 so...$78.90. Yes, BritRail sells it for less, but with the $5 shipping it's almost the same. And $5 to mail two pieces of paper irritates me.

Kayb95

Just for the record, the inflated prices I was referring to was the zone 1-6 voucher that travel agents sell to their clients who don't realize they don't need a zone 1-6 card and then charge them a service charge on top of that.

I'm all for buying from whoever sells it cheapest.