WE ARE VISITING LONDON & WISH TO KNOW WHAT REDUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT,THEATRES,CINEMAS,etc,etc,

I know that a lot of the tours etc. have Senior rates. ( My mom was 60-ish when we went a couple of years ago and she got discounted tickets for a lot of the places we went to. - I remember distinctly that the Tower of London had a senior rate......) <BR> <BR>have fun.

Hi Howard: <BR>My mother has gotten discounts were ever we went just for asking. Have a great trip!

I may be wrong but I believe discounts on the underground and many other things in London are for residents of the UK only. Travelcards for the Underground are already discounted for tourists. It does not hurt to ask what the senior rate is tho,most of the "tourist attractions" (i.e. museums, Kew Gardens, etc.) do offer a discount. Best Western hotels in Europe almost all offer a senior rate as well, you just have to ask (but do ask nicely .. in other words, don't demand). You might check web sites for a various things you plan on doing and see what they offer in the way of discounts. I never noticed any theaters we've been to offering discounts to seniors, perhaps they do, but then I buy our show tickets on line via Ticketmaster and it seems to be one price for all!

Check the website www.londontransport.com for discounted fares on the underground and city buses. You'll find discounts offered at many attractions, Churchill's War Rooms in Whitehall and the Tower of London, as examples. Those discounts are identified as being for "pensioners", rather than "senior citizens", "golden agers" and the like. They are available whether you're a British citizen or not.

Fodors <BR> <BR>I'm a pensioner, a man. I pay full fares on busses and tubes, but because I have a Senior Citizens' rail card, price 20 pounds, I pay one third off fares after 9.30 am on trains other than underground trains. The underground and other transport services in no way distinguish Britons from non Britons. To do so wouldprobably be illegal. In theatres and concert halls I usually get reductions for being aged 63. Also in cinemas Monday to Thursday before 6 pm. <BR> <BR>The big bargain is museums and galleries, which are usually five pounds or so but are free to pensioners, or are shortly going to become free. <BR> <BR>When I ask I say "s there any reduction for being aged 63 ?", and avoid such perephrasis as "senior citizen" and "golden age". <BR> <BR>I don't think Amricans should use Ticketmaster or other agencies, which take a hefty percentage. Now that distant calls are cheap, Americans do better to find a theatre phone number, hold a credit card, phone from 11 to 7 British time, book on the phone, and collect the tickets half an hour before curtain up. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR> <BR>

Ben, <BR>What is the age for senior discounts in London? Do they ask for proof? Incidentally, last year I got tickets to The Lion King in London by calling the box office at the theater directly and they were no cheaper then via Ticketmaster- they still charged me a handling/service charge. They came out to about $58 each (front row seats), which is pretty darn close to what we pay at home for most shows. We paid about $60 each for Mamma Mia as well, again very good (2nd row) seats), without the cost of the telephone call. I've already ordered tickets for that again for our next visit since we enjoyed it so much. Right here, in my home city I just paid $56 each for Riverdance, booked by calling the theater directly, so I don't think the service charges are too horrible all things considered. I also have a Visa Britannia card that offers discounts on various things/places in the UK.

I got a senior discount for a tour of the Globe Theater at age 62. I inquired, and the attendant was nice enough to say I didn't look old enough to qualify--but she didn't ask for proof!

Fodors <BR> <BR>The age for senior discounts in London is 61. Theatres, museums, galleries, and concert halls simply believe you. Railways ask to see your passport before they sell you a Senior Railcard for twenty punds. <BR> <BR>Sorry I as wrong bout the Lion King. I don't go to blockbusters myself. I think what I say applies just to smaller affairs. Certainbly I pay no service charge when I phone. <BR> <BR>Do tell me: in "Riverdance" do they move their bodies above the waist ? <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR>

Several times in London I would notice the ticket prices mentioned for OAP so I finally asked and it was Old Age Pensioners. So thereafter I just mentioned OAP and received the discount. Also at the theater, very often got WONDERFUL seats which would have been a lot more expensive if I had not been an OAP as my daughter sat right next to me and paid a LOT MORE since of course she is not a senior. So it DOES have it's advantages and never hurts to ask.

Well Ben, I won't know for sure about what body parts the Riverdance dancers move for a couple of months I always buy tickets far in advance when we decide on something and that way always get really super seats, like first 3 rows. Thanks for that Age 61 info - my husband qualifies, unfortunately ... or fortunately however you want to look at it, I won't for a number of years yet. Last year in London he took advantage of the discount at several museums. Basically I guess it simply never hurts to ask if there is no sign clearly stating senior discounts. <BR>I think everyone on this Forum learns something from you about the UK at one time or another, I know I've filled away little "tidbits" of info you've been kind enough to tell people about for my future reference. If you decide to come to the U.S. on a visit you will have plenty of people ready and willing to give you all sorts of information in return - all all sorts of places to get senior discounts too!!