This is the official London transport site;
https://tfl.gov.uk/

You will find everything you need to know on that site.

For non-UK contactless cards;
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment...on-this-page-1

Tulips- thank you! Great site. Guess I won't know if my US Visa card will work until I try it. By any chance do you know a site that lists all ~160 2 for 1 that I would get with the 7 day travel card?

Tulips: Everything might be there, but it sure difficult to figure it out. I have been looking at the tfl website and I still can't figure out the zones!

Yestravel: I'm not contradicting advice above but following up on your walking preference comment. Most tourists stay rather far out to the west (Kensington, Earl's Court, Marlybone) and are stuck commuting daily by tube to sites. For those people a week travel card makes sense. If you are staying truly central as you state (City, South Bank, Westminster, Mayfair, Bloomsbury) and prefer walking, or long walks and a taxi ride back, it may make more sense to save distant sites for a bop around day and get a 1 day travel card then. Also consider how many of the 2 4 1 sites you're likely to visit bearing in mind some popular ones like the Tower are suspended during the summer.

Just go to the tube map on that site. It shows the zone's; in grey, so look carefully. But it's all there

https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track?intcmp=40400

Zone 1 is roughly the area of the Circle line.

yestravel - if you use a contactless payment card you will not be able to use the 2for1 offers. If you want that, you need the paper card from a rail station. I don't know what it covers, I've never used it.
Many sites in London are free...

Boy, oh, boy...I would never have seen that shaded area. Thank you!!

When we were there 5 years ago, we just used to Oyster card to get from Heathrow to Holborn then various tube rides and buses for 3 days. We are adding on one day and planning to go to Greenwich on the river bus. I'm assuming Oyster would still be the way to go. In reading about contactless, I can't see that we qualify.

Yes, thanks, I understand the 2 for 1 is with the travel card and not the contactless card. Perhaps we are considered further out. We are staying in an apt near the Sloane Square station. Of the attractions I have found for the 2for 1 there are none that we would likely go to. But I know there are many other attractions on it that I haven't found yet. If I decide not to do the travel card and my VISA doesn't work then I buy an Oyster card?

I would say Slone Square is a bit out but it depends upon what you are planning to do, as there are things you could walk to from there.

About the cards: Not sure what you mean, I doubt that you have a contactless credit card but you can tell because it has wavy arc lines on it.

https://www.m6toll.co.uk/media/59792/bcard2_296x150.jpg

Here's an article that has some info on contactless payments http://www.pymnts.com/nfc/2016/uk-le...ents-adoption/

An oyster card is a contactless payment card similar to what is used in many US cities for transit (SmarTrip, etc.).

Sloane Sq is VERY central.

It is a fabulous area to stay.

Agree with Janisj - Sloane Square is a great area. Absolutely not 'further out'. It's upmarket residential with lots of shops, restaurants.

Yestravel; see if your Visa will open the gate at the tube station. If it is not accepted, turn around and get an Oyster instead, from one of the machines.

Tom_mn, the Tower 2for1 is offered for summer 2017:

https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/tower-of-

Yestravel, this site lists all the 160 or so 2for1 options.

Re ApplePay, I found this but don't know if it answers your question-

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-pay-in-uk.cfm

Good luck!

I use Apple Pay with an American credit card all the time in the UK, and it should work anywhere that accepts contactless payments, including the tube. Important thing to remember is to use it both when entering and leaving the tube stations. It doesn't matter whether your CC is American or whatever.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payment...ment/apple-pay

My comment about Sloane Square being a bit out was in reference to the OP's desire to walk to sites.

And the Tower 2 4 1 offer is suspended over the summer as usual, 15 July – 3 September 2017.

Tom, you're right and I apologize; I saw the "expires October 2017" and did not click further.
(Actually I think the site was just updated today with additional info, hence the re-direct.)

Excellent link about Apple Pay. This opens lots of travel possibilities, more than just London. I read it will work without cellular service. So even a cheapskate like me who doesn't spring for cellular service in Europe can use Apple Pay and contactless payment systems.

No need to apologize. I was not able to use the offer for the Tower in July 2014 and I've noticed the same language every year since because I look for it.

Thanks everyone for all your help! I remain amazed at how confusing they can make something. From what I have read on US card being accepted, is for VISA which we have, it may or may not. I think the suggestion by Tulip to try it is the best. First I hav to go thru the 10 attractions and figure out which ones we might visit.

Since Apple Pay is connected to your credit card, it would seem to have the same issue, but I havent figured that out yet.

Fortunately I have a month or so to sort through all this.

My US and UK cards are all Visa, and I have never had a problem. If your Visa card isn't accepted, it is most likely your US bank blocking the transaction.

Contactless transactions are normally limited to a max of £30, and that includes Apple Pay.

Maybe said above but tell your bank ahead of time in exactly what countries you will be using your card and tell them accept no charges from any other country (like Romania unless going there).