"Metro Pass" in London
Sep 15th, 2013, 10:33 PM
#21
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"it'll be a saturday at about 11am"
In which case, chat away to the ticket seller as long as you like. British Rail ticket sellers are the least appreciated people in Britain: they're phenomenally helpful, take all the crap frustrated travellers want to vent if they're too stupid or lazy to understand the ticket rules and in my experience constantly go out of their way to make life easier for people. Outside morning rush hours, they really do enjoy a good natter.
As long as it doesn't delay the poor sod behind you who's got to get the 11.06.
In which case, chat away to the ticket seller as long as you like. British Rail ticket sellers are the least appreciated people in Britain: they're phenomenally helpful, take all the crap frustrated travellers want to vent if they're too stupid or lazy to understand the ticket rules and in my experience constantly go out of their way to make life easier for people. Outside morning rush hours, they really do enjoy a good natter.
As long as it doesn't delay the poor sod behind you who's got to get the 11.06.
Sep 16th, 2013, 02:37 AM
#22
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<<not living anywhere near these sorts of stations, neither of us has an oyster.>>
If you visit London even infrequently it really is worth getting one and keeping somewhere safe between trips. You can check your balance and top up online or at machines at the first London station you encounter. The daily cap means you won't exceed the daily travelcard amount, but equally you may pay less if you're not making that many journeys or travelling by bus. It really is far more convenient than faffing around with paper tickets.
If you visit London even infrequently it really is worth getting one and keeping somewhere safe between trips. You can check your balance and top up online or at machines at the first London station you encounter. The daily cap means you won't exceed the daily travelcard amount, but equally you may pay less if you're not making that many journeys or travelling by bus. It really is far more convenient than faffing around with paper tickets.
Sep 16th, 2013, 04:17 AM
#23
If you visit London even infrequently it really is worth getting one and keeping somewhere safe between trips>>
lol, anicecupoftea, does once every 2-3 years count as infrequently enough not to bother? but I take your point. I just can't be bothered to get an oyster when I would use it so seldom, especially as I suspect that I'd lose it before I went again.
flanner - i know all about BR employees having commuted [from Oxted] for about 15 years. we did used to have nice little chats as I bought my weekly return or whatever, but as you say, there's not much time for idle chitchat on a busy commuter morning.
maryanoult - it was just your thread I was hi-jacking, not your cab!
lol, anicecupoftea, does once every 2-3 years count as infrequently enough not to bother? but I take your point. I just can't be bothered to get an oyster when I would use it so seldom, especially as I suspect that I'd lose it before I went again.
flanner - i know all about BR employees having commuted [from Oxted] for about 15 years. we did used to have nice little chats as I bought my weekly return or whatever, but as you say, there's not much time for idle chitchat on a busy commuter morning.
maryanoult - it was just your thread I was hi-jacking, not your cab!
Sep 16th, 2013, 08:48 AM
#24
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If you are a "we" and not an "I" then you should bring passport size headshots and get the paper 7-day travel card at a national rail station so you can get the 2for1 offers. You can use the PAYG Oyster for your extra days, but jam all the 2for1 attractions into the days your travel card will be viable.
The discounts are available at www.daysoutguide.co.uk. Included are the Tower (21+ GBP savings with a 2for1 voucher), Hampton Court Palace (17+ GBP savings) and the Churchill War Rooms (17 GBP savings), among others. That 56 quid (including the + from the Tower and HCP) = more than $85 on just three sites. St. Paul's is often included on the 2for1 offers too.
The discounts are available at www.daysoutguide.co.uk. Included are the Tower (21+ GBP savings with a 2for1 voucher), Hampton Court Palace (17+ GBP savings) and the Churchill War Rooms (17 GBP savings), among others. That 56 quid (including the + from the Tower and HCP) = more than $85 on just three sites. St. Paul's is often included on the 2for1 offers too.
Sep 19th, 2013, 11:57 AM
#25
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The 7-day paper Travelcard PLUS a PAYG Oyster card is what we'll be doing, thanks to advice here.
I've noticed on the 2-4-1 site that various places have expiration dates this year. We'll be going next May. Are these places routinely renewed in their being on the 2-4-1 list?
I've shown my husband my London and Paris guidebooks (I love them, the cities are broken up into different map sections so it's easy to use) with post-it flags of places we WANT to see and MAY be interested in seeing if there's time. He's getting the idea of where things are in relation to each other, just a little.
I must say, finding out that there's a rue Nicolas Flamel and Nicolas Flamel House in Paris has me interested. No way will I go to Paris and be within a 5 minute walk and NOT get a picture of that, as a Harry Potter fan.
I've noticed on the 2-4-1 site that various places have expiration dates this year. We'll be going next May. Are these places routinely renewed in their being on the 2-4-1 list?
I've shown my husband my London and Paris guidebooks (I love them, the cities are broken up into different map sections so it's easy to use) with post-it flags of places we WANT to see and MAY be interested in seeing if there's time. He's getting the idea of where things are in relation to each other, just a little.
I must say, finding out that there's a rue Nicolas Flamel and Nicolas Flamel House in Paris has me interested. No way will I go to Paris and be within a 5 minute walk and NOT get a picture of that, as a Harry Potter fan.
Feb 6th, 2014, 06:50 AM
#27
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Hi all !!
Sorry but I am a bit lost...
"From Sunday 15 September 2013, 7 Day or longer period Travelcards will only be available on Oyster at TfL operated London Overground ticket offices."
I am arriving in London at Victoria Station (Gatwick Express) Because of the above, does that mean I will have to buy an Oyster in Victoria then go to the nearest Overground Station to have it loaded with a 7-day Travelcard ? What about photos ?
Thanks for enlightening me
Sorry but I am a bit lost...
"From Sunday 15 September 2013, 7 Day or longer period Travelcards will only be available on Oyster at TfL operated London Overground ticket offices."
I am arriving in London at Victoria Station (Gatwick Express) Because of the above, does that mean I will have to buy an Oyster in Victoria then go to the nearest Overground Station to have it loaded with a 7-day Travelcard ? What about photos ?
Thanks for enlightening me
Feb 6th, 2014, 07:03 AM
#28
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No Overground stations are for the Overground line (orange double line on the map) it does not affect the paper travel cards at national rail stations like Victoria and yes you still need photos. Confusing I know 
Feb 6th, 2014, 07:47 AM
#29
buzzboy - I'm british and I'm confused by the oyster and travelcard combination.
I had a one night stay in London this week, flying into and out of Gatwick, and when i got to the information desk by the station entrance, I was advised against getting an oyster [I thought that I might as well have one for the times I go to London] as it wasn't good value for me - I could just get 2x1 day travel cards which would get me into central London via overground and bus/tube.
So if you're getting a travel card [in your case, for a week] why do you need an oyster as well?
I had a one night stay in London this week, flying into and out of Gatwick, and when i got to the information desk by the station entrance, I was advised against getting an oyster [I thought that I might as well have one for the times I go to London] as it wasn't good value for me - I could just get 2x1 day travel cards which would get me into central London via overground and bus/tube.
So if you're getting a travel card [in your case, for a week] why do you need an oyster as well?
Feb 6th, 2014, 08:52 AM
#30
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<i>So if you're getting a travel card [in your case, for a week] why do you need an oyster as well?</i>
Oystercard is a wallet, by itself it's useless. It can either hold cash (PAYG) for single journeys AND/OR a 7 day or longer Travelcard.
Being able to have a Travelcard AND cash on one card means you can use it outside the zones the Travelcard is for as well as for periods when the Travelcard isn't valid.
IF you aren't interested in the 2-4-1 offers - which require UK train tickets to & from London (not Heathrow Express or Eurostar) or a Travelcard issued at a London train station - then for a stay longer than seven days you would load a week - or longer - Travelcard onto it for the zones you will spend most of your time in and add cash for extra days or when you are travelling outside zone 1-2.
For stays shorter than a week where you need the 2-4-1 offers sometimes you get an Oystercard with cash on it for most of the time, then buy 1 day Travelcards for days you want to use the offers - these can be bought in advance so you don't waste time getting to a station on the day
Oystercard is a wallet, by itself it's useless. It can either hold cash (PAYG) for single journeys AND/OR a 7 day or longer Travelcard.
Being able to have a Travelcard AND cash on one card means you can use it outside the zones the Travelcard is for as well as for periods when the Travelcard isn't valid.
IF you aren't interested in the 2-4-1 offers - which require UK train tickets to & from London (not Heathrow Express or Eurostar) or a Travelcard issued at a London train station - then for a stay longer than seven days you would load a week - or longer - Travelcard onto it for the zones you will spend most of your time in and add cash for extra days or when you are travelling outside zone 1-2.
For stays shorter than a week where you need the 2-4-1 offers sometimes you get an Oystercard with cash on it for most of the time, then buy 1 day Travelcards for days you want to use the offers - these can be bought in advance so you don't waste time getting to a station on the day
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:03 PM
#31
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Being able to have a Travelcard AND cash on one card means you can use it outside the zones the Travelcard is for as well as for periods when the Travelcard isn't valid.
Yep !! That's exactly why I need an Oyster and a Travelcard... I should have said I planned to buy a 7-day Travelcard zone 1-2 and that I will stay in London for 9 days.
Well... maybe it's because my english gets rusty but I am still not sure if I have to go to an overground station in order to load my Travelcard on my Oyster. Just want to add that I am not interested in the 2for1 offer just in case it matters.
Yep !! That's exactly why I need an Oyster and a Travelcard... I should have said I planned to buy a 7-day Travelcard zone 1-2 and that I will stay in London for 9 days.
Well... maybe it's because my english gets rusty but I am still not sure if I have to go to an overground station in order to load my Travelcard on my Oyster. Just want to add that I am not interested in the 2for1 offer just in case it matters.
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:17 PM
#32
"Overground" is a specific train line see this http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...etwork-map.pdf
No, you do not need to go to an <u>Overground</u> station. Just any regular <u>train</u> station -- different than a Tube/Underground station.
<B>BUT </B>>>I am not interested in the 2for1 offer just in case it matters.<< . . That makes ALL the difference in the world. You do not need a paper travel card at all. Just use an Oyster card (the only reason to mess around w/ a paper travelcard is to get the 2for1's.
So forget about a paper card -
No, you do not need to go to an <u>Overground</u> station. Just any regular <u>train</u> station -- different than a Tube/Underground station.
<B>BUT </B>>>I am not interested in the 2for1 offer just in case it matters.<< . . That makes ALL the difference in the world. You do not need a paper travel card at all. Just use an Oyster card (the only reason to mess around w/ a paper travelcard is to get the 2for1's.
So forget about a paper card -
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:20 PM
#33
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You can load a travel card on an oyster at any tube or overground station! Most have machines to buy the card, if not you have to go to the manned ticket booth.
National rail stations - some will load them done will not.
National rail stations - some will load them done will not.
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:34 PM
#34
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Just use an Oyster card (the only reason to mess around w/ a paper travelcard is to get the 2for1's.)
Well... a 7-day Travelcard zone 1-2 costs £ 31.40 and I am pretty sure I will pay more if I "payed as I went" in zone 1-2 with an Oyster during my first 7 days. But maybe I missed something...
Well... a 7-day Travelcard zone 1-2 costs £ 31.40 and I am pretty sure I will pay more if I "payed as I went" in zone 1-2 with an Oyster during my first 7 days. But maybe I missed something...
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:46 PM
#36
Buzzyboy: >>Well... a 7-day Travelcard zone 1-2 costs £ 31.40 and I am pretty sure I will pay more if I "payed as I went" in zone 1-2 with an Oyster during my first 7 days. But maybe I missed something...<<
Yes, you did miss something. For 7 days you load a 7-day zone 1-2 travelcard <u>on your Oyster</u>. It is a semantics thing -- a travel card isn't necessarily a 'card'. It is a fare for 7 days of travel. So you go to a tube station, get an Oyster and load it w/ a 7day travel card.
For seven days you don't want PAYG. For a just few days - yes, then you do want PAYG. If you are in the city for more than 7 days you will load a 7-day travel card and some extra PAYG ££ to cover the extra days.
Yes, you did miss something. For 7 days you load a 7-day zone 1-2 travelcard <u>on your Oyster</u>. It is a semantics thing -- a travel card isn't necessarily a 'card'. It is a fare for 7 days of travel. So you go to a tube station, get an Oyster and load it w/ a 7day travel card.
For seven days you don't want PAYG. For a just few days - yes, then you do want PAYG. If you are in the city for more than 7 days you will load a 7-day travel card and some extra PAYG ££ to cover the extra days.
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:52 PM
#37
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You put the 7-day travel card on the Oyster card.
Go to a ticket office at a tube station, any tube station. Ask for an oyster card with a 7-day travel card for zone 1 and 2 loaded onto the card. No need for a picture.
In case you need to travel outside of zone 1-2; put some extra money onto the card to cover that.
If you don't need the 2-4-1 offers that come with the paper card, it's easier just to get an Oyster with the 7-day pass loaded onto the Oyster card, as Janisj says.
Go to a ticket office at a tube station, any tube station. Ask for an oyster card with a 7-day travel card for zone 1 and 2 loaded onto the card. No need for a picture.
In case you need to travel outside of zone 1-2; put some extra money onto the card to cover that.
If you don't need the 2-4-1 offers that come with the paper card, it's easier just to get an Oyster with the 7-day pass loaded onto the Oyster card, as Janisj says.
Feb 6th, 2014, 12:56 PM
#39
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Yes, you did miss something. For 7 days you load a 7-day zone 1-2 travelcard on your Oyster. It is a semantics thing -- a travel card isn't necessarily a 'card'. It is a fare for 7 days of travel.
OK... actually we were talking about the same thing but I've had some difficulties to make me understand. But from the chatting comes out the enlightment and I have fully understood now !!Thanks a lot guys !!
OK... actually we were talking about the same thing but I've had some difficulties to make me understand. But from the chatting comes out the enlightment and I have fully understood now !!
Thanks a lot guys !!
Feb 6th, 2014, 01:57 PM
#40
OMG. and this is supposed to be easy for tourists to understand. i'm glad that you've got the hang of it now, buzzyboy.
Actually I think I've just about got it now, thanks to all of you, but I think I'll be sticking to one day travel cards that I buy as and when i need them.
Actually I think I've just about got it now, thanks to all of you, but I think I'll be sticking to one day travel cards that I buy as and when i need them.
