Dukey1

I KNOW it's been asked before so I'll make it SIMPLE:

we have rented a Covent Garden apartment for one week

we will arrive at Heathrow

Can we simply get the travel card or the oyster or WHATEVER we need to use the tube, busses, etc., WHEN WE ARRIVE or is there some big advantage to ordering on line in advance?

Thanks VERY much (yes I DO know what to wear, what the weather will be like, where to go, what to do, where to eat, where to go to church, and so forth)

yk

You can certainly get your Oyster Card at the Heathrow tube station.

However, on my last several Heathrow arrivals, I've noticed extremely LONG lines for both the automatic machines and for the manned booth. You'd need to line up at the booth to get the actual plastic Oyster card.

I assume the lines are bad because I usually arrive in the AM on the red eye from US - lots of visitors who do not have Oyster already. IIRC, the one time I arrived at Heathrow after a day flight from Boston, there were minimal lines at the Heathrow tube station.

So, the only advantage I can think of, is to avoid waiting in line.

I keep my Oyster and before leaving London, I always make sure I have enough money left on it for my next inbound trip from Heathrow into London, so I don't have to wait in line to "top up."

latedaytraveler

Dukey, Covent Garden is such a convenient location. So what's at the top of your list for sites/shows/musuems/attractions? You will be able to walk to many of these spots...

Dukey1

Thanks to both of you for your responses. As to what we are planning to do this time around: we've seen a lot of the shows that are playing in the West End and my favorite spot, the National, isn't offering a lot that interests both of us this time around.

Therefore, we are going to do a couple of Royal operah house performances (Faust and LaTraviata) and we are NOT in any way, shape, or form "opera queens" but rather enjoy well-done performances.

Have never been to Kew Gardens so will probably do that; at least one museum or gallery. Will do a LONG day out via rail to Castle Howard. At least one visit to Fortnum and Mason and I'll try my best to resist getting more Pink shirts but that could be hard.

And a visit to the Bekonscot model railway.

janisj

Late to the show

But I've seen long lines at LHR tube station too - but not always. I haven't had to wait since I have an existing card (two actually -- don't know how that happened but I was sorting through my passport/travel 'stuff' the other and out popped TWO Oysters).

What time are you landing? Is there <i>any</i> chance you might take a car service to the flat? Then you can get the Oyster at Covent Garden.

But I'd probably just buy it at LHR. Haven't done the on-line purchase. Do you know if you actually receive an Oyster -- or just a voucher for an Oyster? If it is a voucher - you'd still have to queue up. And if it is an actual Oystercard - how much is the postage/handling.

Judyrem

Dukey we are going late Sept. My DH and I were looking around for info about whether to buy an Oyster at Heathrow. I am glad you asked the question!
BTW, we are going to Kew Gardens too.
We are going to see Jersey Boys and Legally Blonde and maybe The Horse.

yk

Are you seeing Angela Gheorghiu in Faust? Let's hope she shows up.

P.S. In reply to your other thread: I can't afford to dine IN ROH, but I've always enjoyed their award-winning ice-cream during intermissions.

Enjoy your trip!

Judyrem

Hi janis, better late then never ;-).
I read on the tube site that they charge 4 GBP for S/H.
I think I will wait in line.

Dukey1

Janis,
thanks for your response. We arrive at 0645 and will probably hit the arrivals lounge for a shower and some food before heading into the city so I think the easiest thing is to simply get in line and wait it out. THIS time we are GOING to take the Tube to CG. My only worry about that is the luggage since I don't really enjoy taking up a lot of space from others but we'll try it out and see how it goes. And, of course, we are arriving on a WEEKday just to up the challenge a bit.

As to whom we are seeing in Faust...honestly didn't pay a lot of attention to the casting and since I only know the really REALLY major names anyway it will simply add to the adventure.
As to eating at the ROH...I think we are either going to eat "at home" or in some other CG venue those two evenings.

Weekender

Dukey:

You can always order online and have card/s mailed to you:

http://www.visitbritainshop.com/usa/...ster-card.html

PalenQ

dukey - do not forget about the benefits of a paper TravelCard that then gives you 2 for 1 admissions to many museums and attractions that charge (many are also free but you can save a ton on some really expensive sites. Only paper TravelCards apparently qualify - not Oyster Card holders.

janisj

If you go the 2for1 route -- paper travelcards cannot be purchased at LHR. So you'd still have to queue at a window or machine to get into town.

dutyfree

Dukey-the tube from LHR to Covent Garden is a straight shot on the Picadilly Line and you will see quite alot of people with luggage. There seems to be alot of spots to have your luggage near you on those trains so don't worry about taking up spots.
Nags Head bar across the street from the Covent Garden station on the corner is one of my haunts-a bottle of really great Malbec is very reasonable and is great people watching.

PatrickLondon

Judyrem, the point is that they don't want people to pay cash per ride, so they set the cash prices ridiculously high to discourage it. Much more efficient to have electronic payment wherever possible.

flanneruk

I can't even begin to imagine being in London without an Oystercard. Even though I usually walk most the time and don't pay on buses, no-one's ever going to know how a day's going to progress. So ignore anyone telling you you can walk everywhere: even the most dedicated walker just occasionally finds rain in London

As for queues at Heathrow. No expert (scarcely ever use the Heathrow tube). But at St Pancras, which is always swarming with technophobic Continentals (yes I know that's a tautology), queues at the ticket desks near Eurostar arrivals stretch round the block, queues at the interactive paper ticket vending machines aren't much shorter, but the dedicated blue Oyster vending machine is always totally devoid of customers. You buy one (£5, of which you get £3 back when you leave and £2 is ticket credit). There are loads of topup machines nearby: you put your Oystercard on the yellow pad, stick your credit card (or cash) in the machine, give it £20 and there you go. Other websites confirm there are blue Oyster machines at the Heathrow stations. If you run out of credit during your stay, give the card more money. If you've money left at then end, get it back at a Heathrow tube station.

If you want to order an Oystecard online, you pay at least an extra $13 for the Fedex cost. You get sent a card: not a voucher

nyse

Another option is to check eBay - just avoid the commemorative royal wedding Oysters.
Once you have the physical card, easy enough to top up.

KayF

Just a note for anyone wanting to get the balance back at Heathrow before departing. We tried to do that and were told as the card wasn't registered they wouldn't do it. I was handed a form to fill in about a foot long but we had an international flight to catch and couldn't hang about. We ended up giving the card to a friend who lives in London. I did wonder if I had struck a difficult ticket seller or if they say that to everyone.

Kay

nyse

KayF, was your balance over &pound;5? My understanding is that small balances are refunded in cash or credit, depending on how value was added to the card.

Balances over &pound;5 are mailed, requiring the form.
(And the check mailed is in sterling.)

Judyrem

Ok final question. I think ;-)
We will be back next year.
We are going to be in London 4 nights.
Taking the tube to/and from Heathrow.
I will get an Oyster card...for how much? 25 GBPs?
I can use next year if I did not use all my credit, correct?

BeeBerry

Hi Judy. When you get the Oyster card you can add a smaller amount, like £10-15 or so and then top it up when it's getting low. Better to put less on in case you don't use it as much as you think.

Yes - you can use the remaining credit on your next trip.