I am trying to determine if these things are worth it, or if it is just better to by a tube pass when I get there. Anyone ever buy or use these 2 items?
Thanks,
Heather

We ordered the Visitors Travelcard on the web before we last visited and we used it a great deal while in London. I know we used it enough that it more than paid for itself and it was nice to have it ready to use when we first arrived rather than having to buy one after we arrived. All depends on your priorities I suppose and how much travel you are actually planning to do.

The 7-day Visitors Travelcard is virtually identical to the 7-day Travelcard that can be bought at any tube station in London. Visitors' Travelcards are also available for shorter intervals, and in London you can buy passes for unlimited travel for a single day or for a weekend.

The LondonPass, which is good for free admisison to several attractions and various other discounts and offers, can be bought with or without a Visitors' Travelcard if bought before you arrive in London.

London's tube system has 6 zones, and most tourist attractions are in Zone 1, so most visitors only need a pass for that zone.

Now that weekly travel cards for zone 1 no longer require a photograph there is really no advantage to buying it ahead of time. It will be slightly cheaper in London - but is is a very small difference. If you like to have everything wrapped up before you travel, go ahead and buy it. But you won't save any money. And be sure to only get a zone 1 (or possibly a zone 1 and 2) travel card. anything else is just a waste of money. If yiu travel out of zone 1 (like to Hampton Court Palace) you simply pay a small supplement to your zone 1 card.

The London Pass (the sightseeing card) is not a great deal for most visitors. Especially on a short trip because almost all the museums and galleries are free. You would have to go to several of the "for pay" sites to make it worthwhile. You will have to pay to see a few things - St Pauls and Westminster Abbey for instance, but that would be cheaper than the London Pass.

So you can buy a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 & 2 at any tube station for about the same price? Is there a photograh needed or anything else that I have to plan ahead for?
Thanks,
Heather

We bought a daily pass for zones 1 and 2. No photo req'd for this or for the 7 day pass. You can buy it at Heathrow when you land or at any tube station. This pass will also give you a 30 percent discount on the Thames River cruises.

The 7-day travelcard doesn't require a photo if it's for just zone 1 and/or zone 2, but if you're going farther, you will indeed still need the photo ID card.

One-day and weekend travelcards don't need a photo, regardless of zone(s).

Daily, weekend, and 7-day tube/bus travelcards are indeed available at any tube station, as are travelcards good for buses only.

The London Visitor's Travelcard for 7 days is identical to the 7 day zone 1 & 2 travelcard available in London at any tube station. There is a very very slight difference in price.

In London, you can also save about £3 by buying a zone 1 7 day pass. The only touristy spots found in zone 2 are the zoo and Greenwich. So if you're going to both, it pays to get a zone 1 & 2 as the extension ticket costs £1.

You can buy a 4 day visitor's travelcard for zones 1 & 2 which you can't in London.

Personally, I find it easier to buy it in London. Nothing to worry about forgetting and if you are tubing in from the airport, you're going to need an extension ticket anyway.

BTW for a zone 1 or zone 1 & 2 7 day pass in London, you no longer need a photo.