London "know before you go" questions

Old May 11th, 2016, 10:27 AM
  #21  
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After thinking on it and your reply, janisj, I think we should skip Oxford. It does sound like too much for one day.

I thought of another question: What rental car company has anyone used? We haven't booked that yet.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 11:32 AM
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Start w/ autoeurope.com They are a broker based in Maine and deal w/ all the majors. You enter your dates and pick up/drop off and it will give all the quotes w/ and w/o insurance coverage.

Probably 75% of the time they will get you the best rates - plus they are super easy to deal w/ and have very good customer service.

Your booking would end up w/ Hertz or Avis or Europcar or whoever . . .
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 08:29 AM
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I'm leaving in 3 days!!!

The 2 for 1 tickets...

I was reading texasbookworm's trip report and she printed the 2 for 1 coupons from home. Do these need to be printed at home?

They don't do the discount when buying the tickets when we are there? For Tower of London; Churchill War Rooms; etc?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 08:39 AM
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>>Do these need to be printed at home? >They don't do the discount when buying the tickets when we are there? For Tower of London; Churchill War Rooms; etc?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 08:39 AM
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oh . . and have a great trip
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 08:52 AM
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Thanks janisj!

One more clarification: if I print from home, I don't have to have the paper travel card or train ticket?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 09:13 AM
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Sounds like an amazing trip - have a wonderful time!

And, FYI, Your Just Airports driver will meet you at Arrivals holding a sign with your last name on it. If you haven't yet found an atm, they will guide you to one there.

Oh, and I had paper train tickets printed at home. There is a scanner that is supposed to read the bar code. It never worked for me and an attendant had to let me through. Not a problem. Attendants are everywhere.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 09:20 AM
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>

Where'd you get that idea? You MUST have the paper travelcard or applicable train ticket.

And get passport type photos from CVS or similar for the travelcards if you're getting 7-day versions.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 10:28 AM
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"drive to Winchester to see the King Arthur round table (we know it's a replica)"

BUT it's still over 700 years old.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 10:29 AM
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Friday, anything left over in that area and, janisj, I looked up Glastonbury. I would love to stop there! It has the burial site of King Arthur. We stop there then continue on to Bath.>>

just found this, and here's another vote for Wells over Glastonbury. fine if you have time for both, but if not, definitely make it Wells.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 10:33 AM
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>>if I print from home, I don't have to have the paper travel card or train ticket?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 11:03 AM
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Thanks everyone for your help! I never knew and didn't realize those 2 for 1 discounts were offered with the travel card or train ticket.

We will not be using the train; it seems like a lot of trouble to buy the travel cards; also, we are very busy at home w/ only 3 days left. I don't really have time to get a passport size photo.

It seems we will have to pay for both tickets for the sights. We would have to pay for two travel cards to get the discount.

Thanks everyone...report when I get back!
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 11:14 AM
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You can get passport photos easily and quickly at an AAA location. Must be some in Austin.

There is a train station at LHR. Also, Waterloo station is very close to the Marriott.

You will want either a travel card or an Oyster card, might as well get the travel card.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 11:26 AM
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I checked the CVS website, $12 for a passport photo and AAA was $15! This would be times two. I already did budget our money for all the sights. Of course, I would love a discount and saving some money. But, if we each need a photo and travel card then it seems like a little too much trouble at the last minute. I didn't realize this months ago! We will just have to pay entry for two to the sights. Thanks anyway!

Any other tips, about anything, before I go?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 11:42 AM
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>> We would have to pay for two travel cards to get the discount. >We will not be using the train; it seems like a lot of trouble to buy the travel cards;
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 11:44 AM
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The pound will either go up or down on Friday, depending on the outcome of the Brexit vote. But at today's exchange rate, ONE adult admission to the Tower, bought online and without the "voluntary donation", costs 30 USD. In other words, the cost of two of the more expensive passport photos.

The Churchill War Rooms are 25 USD for one adult, or two of the cheaper passport photos. Westminster Abbey is 29 USD for one adult, although two adults plus one child are "only" 59 USD.

And if you don't get paper travel cards, won't you get Oyster cards? Aside from the photos, why is one more trouble than the other?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 12:03 PM
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Y'all got me...I will try to get to the CVS. Why do the travel cards need a picture?

How much do the travel cards cost?
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 12:45 PM
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http://content.tfl.gov.uk/adult-fares.pdf

You want zones 1 and 2.

"Why do the travel cards need a picture?"

Presumably so you can't share it.

And from a TA post on this topic:

"You can print it at home in colour and as long as it looks like you it should be ok. UK passport size is 35mm x 45mm although a US size will be ok as long as it can be trimmed down."
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 12:49 PM
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>>You can print it at home in colour and as long as it looks like you
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 02:48 PM
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my 2 cents.....years ago we did the travel cards and saved! I don't remember how we did them, but i enjoyed having the little card and saving
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