I thought I'd worked out what I wanted to do about transport in London. That is, buy a 7 day paper travel card from a rail station (not a tube station) and take advantage of the 2for1 offers. I think that the plastic Oyster cards cannot be used to get the 2for1 offers. As far as I know it's the same price for the paper and plastic travel cards.

However, after reading another post I got confused and went to the tfl site. On the FAQs it says
'Where can I purchase a Travelcard?
You can purchase many different types of Travelcards on our online shop for either 1 day of travel or for 7 days. A 7 Day paper Travelcard can only be purchased online. If you buy a 7 Day Travelcard in London, it will be loaded onto an Oyster card.'

I've also been told that tfl won't mail to Australia, although it does list Australia as delivery point (takes 16 days).

So does that mean I can't get the 2for1 offers? I wouldn't bother about this stuff but I know London will be expensive and was hoping to save some money on the offers.

I admit I'm confused - why is it so complicated?! Can someone please clarify for me? It would be much appreciated.

It's not complicated, if you want the 2 for 1's you have to buy a paper travelcard at a RAILWAY STATION not a tube station (the offer is sponsored by the railway companies) , travelcards bought online are NOT valid for the 2 for 1's. 7 day travelcards require a passport size (not quality) photo, 1 day cards do not.

Nothing on Oyster is valid for the 2 for 1's.

How are you getting to and from London? The neatest simplest way to get the 2 for 1's is to buy a return ticket from Gatwick to London. Then you're covered and can use the oyster card for your transport in London. The oyster card set up for transport alone is the simplest way to do it as there is greater, much greater flexibility, when travelling outside zones 1 & 2 say to Hampton Court.

I always recommend, although it may not be possible, for people wishing to use 2 4 1's to see if they can get in and out via Gatwick and do the local transport via oysters.

So, to summarise...

The 7 day paper travelcard purchased online from tfl (no photo required) is not valid for 2for1 offers.

The 7 day paper travelcard purchased from a railway station (photo required) is valid for 2for1 offers. It is available for purchase in London.

I had misunderstood. I was confused by the TFL FAQs and I thought all paper travelcards were valid for 2for1.

xyz, we're flying in/out Heathrow.

Thanks for your help.

"How are you getting to and from London? The neatest simplest way to get the 2 for 1's is to buy a return ticket from Gatwick to London."

That only covers 2for1 for the day of travel

" Then you're covered and can use the oyster card for your transport in London. The oyster card set up for transport alone is the simplest way to do it as there is greater, much greater flexibility, when travelling outside zones 1 & 2 say to Hampton Court"

Disagree completely. The 7 day travel card is far better if you are there for a week. No muss or fuss. No topping up cards. No decisions about whether it is worth the tube fare to get to where you want to go. Reduced rates on cruises, etc.

Does the photo have to be color ? Can you print a small head shot on a computer? Does anyone know the actual size? Thank you for your help.

<i>That only covers 2for1 for the day of travel</i>

If they buy a ticket for travel to London on day 1 and a ticket for travel to Gatwick on day 8 then they can claim the offers between day 1 & day 8 - just don't put your ticket into any automatic exit barriers when you reach London as it won't be returned

popov: >>buy a <B><red>return</B></red> ticket from Gatwick to London<<

>>That only covers 2for1 for the day of travel<<

return means round trip -- it will be valid for the 2for1's for the entire time. So a return GEX ticket for he 2for1's and an Oyster for transport and everything is covered.

Lateinlife - they aren't picky about photos...about the size on your drivers licence is fine.

Thanks jamikins.