London transport tickets/pass question
Sep 13th, 2005, 05:22 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
London transport tickets/pass question
Any experience on which transport passes if any will be most suitable for our needs so we can purchase immediately on arrival at Waterloo.
2 adults, 14 year old and 16 year old
Day 1
Afternoon arrival Waterloo Station by Eurostar, travel to Thistle Hotel Marble Arch, local sightseeing
Day 2
London sightseeing / Big Bus tour
Day 3
London sightseeing eg British Museum, Camden Markets, Brick End, London Eye?
Day 4 Picadilly line to Heathrow
2 adults, 14 year old and 16 year old
Day 1
Afternoon arrival Waterloo Station by Eurostar, travel to Thistle Hotel Marble Arch, local sightseeing
Day 2
London sightseeing / Big Bus tour
Day 3
London sightseeing eg British Museum, Camden Markets, Brick End, London Eye?
Day 4 Picadilly line to Heathrow
Sep 13th, 2005, 05:31 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Probably and it's a close call best with family travelcards...the 16 year old is the problem; I think the 16 year old is still eligible to be treated as a child but may need to get a photocard. Family travelcards are only good after 0930 on weekdays and they cost for zones 1 &2 something in the order of £2.80 for the adults and on weekdays 85p for the kids....free for the kids on weekends. The day you tube back to LHR, a zone 1-6 family travelcard would be best but it has to be after 0930 or any time on the weekend.
If the 16 year old is a problem, then family travelcard for 2 adults and 1 child (or maybe 3 adults and 1 child don't remember all the particulars but check the tfl web site) so what it ocmes down to
1. can the 16 year old be considered a child for a family travelcard (I think the answer is yes but a photocard might be necessary)
2. if not can you get a family travelcard with 3 adults and 1 child (not sure)
failing that the family travelcard for 2 adults and 1 child and the other "adult" their own travelcard....
If the 16 year old is a problem, then family travelcard for 2 adults and 1 child (or maybe 3 adults and 1 child don't remember all the particulars but check the tfl web site) so what it ocmes down to
1. can the 16 year old be considered a child for a family travelcard (I think the answer is yes but a photocard might be necessary)
2. if not can you get a family travelcard with 3 adults and 1 child (not sure)
failing that the family travelcard for 2 adults and 1 child and the other "adult" their own travelcard....
Sep 13th, 2005, 06:17 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not sure about this Family travel card you speak of, but here's what I found on the London transport page regarding photo cards.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...hotocards/#top
Have fun. I love London, and am jealous, particularly after a London business trip was cancelled on me the last minute. I had so many plans!!!
Margaret
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...hotocards/#top
Have fun. I love London, and am jealous, particularly after a London business trip was cancelled on me the last minute. I had so many plans!!!
Margaret
Sep 14th, 2005, 01:11 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the kind of itinerary you have in mind, it sounds like day tickets would be the best value for you.
For zones 1+2:
Family travelcard= £3.10 per day per adult + £0.80 per weekday for the 14-year old (free at weekends) BUT if the 16-year old is counted as an adult you might not be able to get one at all, you have to buy it from the ticket clerk not the ticket machines, you can only use it after 9.30am Monday-Friday and anyone using it has to stick together.
Individual day Travelcards = £6 per adult (£4.70 after 9.30am) and £3.00 for the 14-year old (who will need a photocard).
3-day travelcards for each individual = 3 x £15 for the adults + £7.50 for the 14-year old, who will need a photocard.
So on arrival at Waterloo, you really only need to think about your plans for that day. Coming from the Eurostar, you will usually see ticket machines first, and you may have to walk a bit further to find a manned booth where people can advise you, and there's always the possibility of a queue of people depending on the time you arrive. Up to you whether you get individual cards from the machines or queue up to ask about a family card.
For zones 1+2:
Family travelcard= £3.10 per day per adult + £0.80 per weekday for the 14-year old (free at weekends) BUT if the 16-year old is counted as an adult you might not be able to get one at all, you have to buy it from the ticket clerk not the ticket machines, you can only use it after 9.30am Monday-Friday and anyone using it has to stick together.
Individual day Travelcards = £6 per adult (£4.70 after 9.30am) and £3.00 for the 14-year old (who will need a photocard).
3-day travelcards for each individual = 3 x £15 for the adults + £7.50 for the 14-year old, who will need a photocard.
So on arrival at Waterloo, you really only need to think about your plans for that day. Coming from the Eurostar, you will usually see ticket machines first, and you may have to walk a bit further to find a manned booth where people can advise you, and there's always the possibility of a queue of people depending on the time you arrive. Up to you whether you get individual cards from the machines or queue up to ask about a family card.
Sep 14th, 2005, 03:53 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
See this
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...tfl-fares-2005.
I don't know if visitors can get Oyster Cards (don't see why not) but they are now advertising that they are free to under 16s.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...tfl-fares-2005.
I don't know if visitors can get Oyster Cards (don't see why not) but they are now advertising that they are free to under 16s.
Sep 14th, 2005, 03:59 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let me be very careful about this as I am not one who does illegal things but..
You can indeed buy family travelcards in the machines and if the 16 year old looks very young, the chances are excellent that nobody will bother her.
Family travelcards mean each person gets an individual card and you may not notice that when a child ticket is put into the turnstile the word child appears which alerts staff if an adult is using a child ticket but chances are if the 16 year old doesn't look like a 19 year old, nobody will say anything.
But do be aware it is illegal and could subject the person to a £10 penalty fare! (But if you get away with it for 2 days, that will be the £10 anyway).
You can indeed buy family travelcards in the machines and if the 16 year old looks very young, the chances are excellent that nobody will bother her.
Family travelcards mean each person gets an individual card and you may not notice that when a child ticket is put into the turnstile the word child appears which alerts staff if an adult is using a child ticket but chances are if the 16 year old doesn't look like a 19 year old, nobody will say anything.
But do be aware it is illegal and could subject the person to a £10 penalty fare! (But if you get away with it for 2 days, that will be the £10 anyway).
Sep 14th, 2005, 04:05 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a quick update of the above (damn this board doesn't allow you to edit your messages hence the typos)...last February you were absolutely able to use the machines to buy family travelcards. It is conceivable it has changed since then but somebody in London now can better answer this.
Sep 14th, 2005, 05:25 AM
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Children under 11 ride buses free, but 12-15s can travel anywhere for £1 on a one-day pass. The 16yo qualifies for a weekly child bus pass at £4. Adult 7-day passes are £11 (which <i>could</i> cover your entire stay including airport transfer).
Day 1: Bus 139 from Waterloo to Portman Street - walk 1/2 block north to Bryanston Street, turn left, and the Thistle is about 50 feet from the corner. This would be my preferred routing, as any Tube method involves a change of lines.
Day 2: London sightseeing (DiY with the map from <b>http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/tourist.pdf</b
.
Day 3: Ditto
Day 4: You CAN get to LHR on the bus, but you will ride for 2+ hours. The good news is that the airport is included in your pass (this is a good option if you have more time than money).
Day 1: Bus 139 from Waterloo to Portman Street - walk 1/2 block north to Bryanston Street, turn left, and the Thistle is about 50 feet from the corner. This would be my preferred routing, as any Tube method involves a change of lines.
Day 2: London sightseeing (DiY with the map from <b>http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/tourist.pdf</b
.Day 3: Ditto
Day 4: You CAN get to LHR on the bus, but you will ride for 2+ hours. The good news is that the airport is included in your pass (this is a good option if you have more time than money).
Sep 14th, 2005, 05:50 AM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your informative responses -
I'm imagining that 2 roller duffle bags and 2 x 22 rolling suitcases would be rather difficult on a bus, moreso than on the tube. ( One of the difficulties when travelling as a family for 3 1/2 weeks)
But I'd be interested to hear from anyone who can relate their London bus experiences with luggage.
I'm imagining that 2 roller duffle bags and 2 x 22 rolling suitcases would be rather difficult on a bus, moreso than on the tube. ( One of the difficulties when travelling as a family for 3 1/2 weeks)
But I'd be interested to hear from anyone who can relate their London bus experiences with luggage.
Sep 14th, 2005, 05:53 AM
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, right you are.
I saw the announcements around town last week, but for some reason the 1 Sept start date didn't register. Chalk one up to cerebral flatulence.
Anyway: if you're sightseeing in London, a Tube ride is rarely necessary, as most of the interesting places are a short walk or bus ride away (and no climbing up and down steps unless you choose to ride upstairs).
I saw the announcements around town last week, but for some reason the 1 Sept start date didn't register. Chalk one up to cerebral flatulence.
Anyway: if you're sightseeing in London, a Tube ride is rarely necessary, as most of the interesting places are a short walk or bus ride away (and no climbing up and down steps unless you choose to ride upstairs).
Sep 14th, 2005, 05:57 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The answer to the bus/luggae question is as follows (IMHO). Buses are OK for luggage - but they do get very crowded at rush hours. The bendy buses are better than double deckers (which would be a bit of an ordeal).
The tube isn't all that easy either. There's lots of escalators and a few stairs.
I'd just buy day passes for all transport (zones one and two). That will give you complete freedom, and they're not that pricey.
The tube isn't all that easy either. There's lots of escalators and a few stairs.
I'd just buy day passes for all transport (zones one and two). That will give you complete freedom, and they're not that pricey.
Sep 14th, 2005, 05:57 AM
#16
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
p.s. to Lavender -
All TfL buses (except the old Routemasters, which have been all but completely phased out) have racks for luggage that could handle the situation you describe. We (5) have never had any problem busing to and from train stations.
I would not recommend it during rush hour, however. Nor the Tube, for that matter.
All TfL buses (except the old Routemasters, which have been all but completely phased out) have racks for luggage that could handle the situation you describe. We (5) have never had any problem busing to and from train stations.
I would not recommend it during rush hour, however. Nor the Tube, for that matter.
