I have printed the 2 for 1 coupons..

It is my understanding that they can only be used with a valid train ticket....SO if we are staying in the city. Please explain how that works...

If you take a train from the airport to the city, keep your ticket and use that. We used a Gatwick Express ticket for our 2-for-1 admission to the Tower, and the girl at the ticket booth hardly glanced at it.

If you buy a single (one-way) train tickets, the vouchers will only be good for that day. If you buy return (roundtrip) train tickets, then the vouchers will be good from the first day until the day you return to the airport.

But you can buy one-, three, or seven-day PAPER travelcards at any National Rail station to use on the Tube, bus, DLR, and National Rail trains within the zones you choose. Your 2for1 vouchers will be good during the days covered by your travelcards.

It might not have been totally kosher, but the GEX ticket we used was a one-way, and we used it a day or two after we actually used the ticket to ride the train. And we did a "pass back"- my sister and I used it with a 2for1 coupon, then I passed it back to my dad and he used it to get 2for1 admission with my mom.

But then, we've always been a family of rebels. cctv be damned.

I think it all boils down to how rule-abiding the ticket agent is.

I've read many trip reports here where the posters said the ticket agents didn't even bother asking for a valid train ticket. Or in cases check for the dates on the ticket.

So yes, you can risk using an invalid rail ticket and hope the agent won't bother to check. But if the agent you happen to get is a stickler to the rules, then be prepared to pay full price.

A Travelcard that's loaded on Oyster will work, too - be sure to carry your paper receipt with you, because that's what the attractions actually inspect (if they bother at all).

Robes - the Days out Guide 2-for-1 offer recently changed the rules regarding Oyster loaded with travelcard.

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/faq.aspx#1

QUOTE:
<< What kinds of train tickets are valid for this promotion?

2for1 and special offers/admission vouchers are available with almost ANY type of train ticket issued to London on normal 'paper' ticket stock (i.e. not electronic or 'smartcard' (...) >>


<< Can I use an Oyster card?

No, except as shown below.

The 2for1 London Attractions partners DO NOT recognise Oyster Cards as being valid accompanying rail tickets.

However you are able to use Oyster cards that are issued in conjunction with Freedom passes. >>

Well, I will just pack the coupons and see how it goes then. I noticed they had a famiy discount. Since we may never make it back again I dont' want to quibble over a few dollars here and there.