Hello, I would like assistance in determining best option for our trip as far as utilizing public transport while in London.

Any use of subway will be within zone 1 except for one morning when we will take subway to Greenwich.

We arrive late afternoon on a Friday, we MIGHT use transportation that day or just walk to areas close to our hotel.

Second day we will take subway from hotel in Soho to St. Pauls. From there on we will have 24 hr hop on/off bus ticket for sightseeing.

Third day we take subway to Greenwich, Thames River cruise for return. Might need subway ride or two late afternoon/evening to get back to hotel.

Fourth day we must get to Tower of London from hotel, and back to Soho area for afternoon tea.

We won't ride subway excessively, but I'm not sure the prepaid Oyster card is what we want? Or should we use pay as you go Oyster card (How easy and quickly is that to reload?). Can one card be used for more than one person or must each have their own? It says kids under 11 are free, but are there turnstyles (as in Paris) that you must pass through and if so, how do kids under 11 get through?

Thank you VERY MUCH in advance for your help.

You won't ride the subway ever.

The subway in London is an under-the-road passage to cross busy intersections.

The local train system is called the Underground and known as "the Tube."

You can get the pay as you go option on Oystercard, and probably should. Depending upon whether you will be able to use the 2-for-1 offers, you can go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk and get vouchers for the Tower and a one-day travel card at London Bridge on the day you visit the Tower.

We prefer pay as we go oyster. Super easy to top off. As above, discounts can sometimes be had by other means.

>>Can one card be used for more than one person or must each have their own?<<

Everyone traveling needs their own Oyster because you tap it to get in the station and tap it again to get out at the end of your journey.

You could share cards -- but you couldn't travel together if you do. So if someone wants to use one day and your partner uses it the next day -- sure.

You and the child will go through the manned gates (where people go w/ luggage etc.) instead of the regular/automated gates.

my post didn't top the thread . . . ttt

Here's how I used Oyster to visit Greenwich, with help & advice from Fodors:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ube-to-dlr.cfm

I don't know about kids riding free, but you cannot "share" a card.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "prepaid" or "pay as you go."
I thought they were the same thing.

Good luck and good trip!

Kids under the age of 11 ride free if occupied by an adult with PAYG Oyster card. I believe up to three kids per adult. Kids over 11 can be loaded onto an adult's Oyster card for 1/2 price fare. I believe there might be cheaper options for over 11's but too much of hassle IMO. Oyster cards are easy to reload and easy to check your balance.

>>but I'm not sure the prepaid Oyster card is what we want? Or should we use pay as you go Oyster card<<

<I>All</i> Oysters are pre-paid.

Thank you all SO much! I looked a bit more and read you can get the balance of your prepaid card back, that was a major concern. I think I will look into the two Oyster options for our TUBE needs.