Sightseeing in London
 

Hi.
We are a family of 5, 2 adults, 1 teen, and 2 kids under 12, travelling to London in June 2013. I am confused as to what the best options are with regards to travelling and sightseeing in London. We are staying in an apartment close to Trafalgar Square. We are there for 5 nights, arriving Thursday afternoon and leaving Tuesday morning.
What are our best options? Do we get the London pass, the oyster card, etc. I see there is some ticket one can buy where you get 2 for 1 options but what does that actually mean?
Any advise would be appreciated that would help me sort out all these different options and find the best option for my family, that would save us time and money.
Thanks

>>Do we get the London pass, <<

No. Very expensive and you'd need5 of them (unless one of the children is very young)

>>the oyster card<< >>get 2 for 1 options but what does that actually mean? <<

The Oyster is simply the normal tube/bus 'ticket'. A plastic card that holds the cost of your transport. The other option instead of the Oyster are paper travelcards which must be bought in a train station. But they still cover the tube/buses. The paper travelcards are how you qualify for the 2for1 discounts.

The discounts are explained here http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

<<Do we get the London pass>>

No, never. More than a dozen of the top museums in London have no admission fee, why pay for a pass for the lesser-lights?

<<the oyster card>>

Not for everyone with your crew, see below.

<<I see there is some ticket one can buy where you get 2 for 1 options but what does that actually mean? >>

Janis gave you the site that shows what 2for1 options exist and how to use them. The savings are large: nearly 21 quid on the Tower for two adults, 15+ quid on St Paul's, 13+ for Hampton Court Palace or the Churchill War Rooms.

You print off whatever voucher looks interesting before you leave. In London, you buy a seven-day paper travelcard (orange and flimsy, NOT blue and stiff - the latter is any Oystercard) at a NATIONAL RAIL STATION (e.g., Euston, Victoria, Charing X) for you, the wife and whichever kids don't ride the Tube or bus for free (any hobbit 11 or older is not free). Present the travelcards and vouchers at the attractions for the free entries.

Thanks so much for this advice. Big Russ - my kids are 13,10 and 8. So the younger two would travel for free then? However, does that mean then they will not have the travel card thus will not qualify for the 2 for 1 discounts, and will then have to pay full price?

Well children's tickets are generally lower priced anyway. For example under 16's only pay 1/2 adult prices. Depending on where you want to go, I think buying a 7 day travel card for the 2 younger ones may not actually be much of a saving. Keep in mind that a good number of museums are free in London. As are the parks you'll want to take in for a break as are Covent Garden and street acts everywhere.

So decide on the expensive sights and do the maths :)

Another question with regard to the 2 for 1 offers: Do you have any kind of priority access to the sights or do you have to stand in all the queues?

no priority queue

>>or do you have to stand in all the queues?<<

Not to worry. You'll find very few queues to speak of. The Tower if you get there much after opening time for sure. Westminster Abbey -- but I don't think it is on the 2for1's.

Maybe a bit of a queue at St Paul's - but that is mostly the security screening.