Best Way to travel in London?
Mar 11th, 2006, 10:33 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I am coming in from Heathrow. The hotel says to take the Piccadilly line to Russel Square.
After that, it's 3 and a half days of general tourist stuff...possibly a trip to Cambridge or Windsor Castle.
After that, it's 3 and a half days of general tourist stuff...possibly a trip to Cambridge or Windsor Castle.
Mar 11th, 2006, 10:40 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll stick with what I said...buy an Oyster card with £16 worth of credit...the trip to Cambridge or Windsor will be on British rail (one of the privatized companies) and not on the Underground...this way you know you will get the best value each day and let the great Oyster comuter in the sky worry about the exact details..you can be sure you'll get the best value each day...if something is left over, save it for your next trip or give it to somebody who will be travelling to London (on the last day, you can check how much is left and refill it if necessary)...the beauty of the oyster card, as noted, is if on one day you only use the tube once or twice say to get to the station you will be leaving for Windsor to, you only pay for the bus or tube rides you use at a much lower price than paying cash which, by itself, will quickly make up for the £3 deposit you may have to pay to get an oyster card.
Mar 11th, 2006, 11:18 AM
#26
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"...to get the £1 or £1.80 extension fare you need a 7 day travelcard..."
Yes. But I think a 3-day should be okay, too. As long as you've already paid for <u>Tube</u> travel in zones 1 & 2 for the day, the zone 2-6 extension should be at the preferred rate. Otherwise, you're right - it's £3.50 (or £2 after 19:00).
Do you see where you can't put a 3-day on Oyster?
Yes. But I think a 3-day should be okay, too. As long as you've already paid for <u>Tube</u> travel in zones 1 & 2 for the day, the zone 2-6 extension should be at the preferred rate. Otherwise, you're right - it's £3.50 (or £2 after 19:00).
Do you see where you can't put a 3-day on Oyster?
Mar 11th, 2006, 06:23 PM
#27
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
xyz123 and Robespierre, you have both been incredibly helpful - thank you so much for taking the time to explain the options and describe the examples for actually purchasing and using.
I am going to spend some time reading over what you both wrote and take another look at the website you referenced.
We will arrive Heathrow and will need to make our way to Waterloo to catch the Euostar, so I'm thinking we don't need to do anything about the travelcard/oyster until we return from France (right?), where upon we will have 6 (maybe 7) days in London, and then we will return to Heathrow.
Thanks again, your effort is much appreciated!
I am going to spend some time reading over what you both wrote and take another look at the website you referenced.
We will arrive Heathrow and will need to make our way to Waterloo to catch the Euostar, so I'm thinking we don't need to do anything about the travelcard/oyster until we return from France (right?), where upon we will have 6 (maybe 7) days in London, and then we will return to Heathrow.
Thanks again, your effort is much appreciated!
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:31 AM
#28
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Robespierre, is the 7 day travelcard to be used for consecutive days only? (i.e. we would not want to buy it upon arrival in London use it a bit, go to France, return 8 days later and expect to use it - right?
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:40 AM
#29
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, consecutive days. But getting the Oyster when you get to Heathrow is still a good idea, because Oyster fares are cheaper even for single tickets. You'll have to buy it eventually, so you might as well do it sooner rather than later.
To get to Waterloo, you would pay £4 without Oyster, or £3.50 with it if you travel on a weekday between 0700 and 1900. Other times, Oyster fare is £2 (but non- is still £4).
To get to Waterloo, you would pay £4 without Oyster, or £3.50 with it if you travel on a weekday between 0700 and 1900. Other times, Oyster fare is £2 (but non- is still £4).
Mar 21st, 2006, 05:20 PM
#30
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, we'll get the Oyster upon arrival with enough credit on it to get to Waterloo. When we return from France I'll load the 7 day travel card onto it. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions which must seem very, very, basic to you!
Mar 21st, 2006, 06:15 PM
#34
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well, it is 12 bucks a day or 6 pounds a day to travel as much as you like in zones 1 and 2. i travelled primarily in zones 1 and 2. but if you go out to brixton or farther, then it costs more.
see which zones you will be traveling in.
i flinched as well when i saw the prices (around 40 bounds i think)...
or was it 20 pounds, 40 us bucks?)
either way, you will probably be using the tube at least 4 times a day if seeing tons of sights. go for the 7 day passes or buy day passes when you arrive.
see which zones you will be traveling in.
i flinched as well when i saw the prices (around 40 bounds i think)...
or was it 20 pounds, 40 us bucks?)
either way, you will probably be using the tube at least 4 times a day if seeing tons of sights. go for the 7 day passes or buy day passes when you arrive.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 06:15 AM
#36
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
birthdaygirlstrip - you're a little high on those fares.
If you pay as you go on an Oyster, the most you can pay for a day in zones 1-2 is £4.40 - about $7.70 (off peak).
If you use a 3-day travelcard, it's $8.66 (the reason it's more than PAYG is because only peak period passes are sold), and on a 7-day off-peak travelcard, one day costs $5.54
If you pay as you go on an Oyster, the most you can pay for a day in zones 1-2 is £4.40 - about $7.70 (off peak).
If you use a 3-day travelcard, it's $8.66 (the reason it's more than PAYG is because only peak period passes are sold), and on a 7-day off-peak travelcard, one day costs $5.54
May 17th, 2006, 04:16 AM
#38
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Robespierre, we will be arriving around 9 AM, in Terminal 3. Is trying to make a 12:00 Eurostar cutting it too close? Our tickets will be non-flexible, so I am considering the later train. What do you think?
May 17th, 2006, 04:52 AM
#39
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is much too thin...clearing immigration at T3 at LHR at 0900 can take as much as an hour easily and that assumes the plane is on time...there are always ATC delays coming into LHR in the morning...
The earliest train I would consider is at 1400
BTW how are you getting from LHR to Waterloo?
The earliest train I would consider is at 1400
BTW how are you getting from LHR to Waterloo?
May 17th, 2006, 02:08 PM
#40
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought the 12:00 was too tight, even though we won't have to wait for luggage, there are other time factors out of our control. Still, the 2:00 would be 5 hours after landing at LHR - will it really take that long to get to Waterloo? I was hoping that the 1:00 would be a possibility, knowing that we need to be there no less than 30 minutes before Eurostar departure.
