Donna

Hi, <BR>I am guiding our family of 7 around London for 2 1/2 days, ages 10 to 74. I have read about a London Transport TravelCard, and another called, I think, London Pass. Does anyone have experience with these two? I want to compare which is less expensive, covers this limited time better for travel in basic tourist areas, which offers best discount (if any) for Tower of London and/or British Museum, etc. I hope to purchase one of these in advance via internet. <BR>I found a great web-site (www.bigbus.co.uk) for Big Bus Company. Do these pass discount companies have web sites? <BR>Thank you very much! <BR>Donna

Lid

Hi <BR> <BR>The London Pass web site is www.londonpass.com. It lists the attractions that are included and i didn't see the attractions you mentioned. My boyfriend had looked into getting this in March which was his first time in London and decided against it. What's included weren't excactly places a first timer would go too. But since i last looked at the site and having just looked at it to get the web address it looks like they've added more attractions so maybe the biggies are yet to come.

elaine

Here is the information I have <BR>The London Pass (info collected 4/2000) <BR>A vistors card that combines transportation and sightseeing in London. Entry to more than 40 attractions, plus unlimited use of buses and underground. Available in one, three, and six-day versions. A one day pass costs about $30 for an adult and $18 for a child (April 2000). Sample attractions include the London Aquarium, the Tate Gallery, the Cutty Sark, Thames Cruises, selected day trips, and London Pride sightseeing tours. <BR>These attractions do not overlap with the GoSee card (below) which offers admission to certain museums, galleries, and historic buildings. The GoSee card is available at its participating venues, the London Pass can be purchased at the Britain Visitor Centre on Regent Street in London, or on line at www.londonpass.com <BR> <BR>The London GoSee Card can be purchased at any of the participating 17 museums for 32 pounds or about $52.00 (1999) <BR>for a family pass that is good for two adults and 4 children for three days. For one adult, the single admission price to all 17 museums if you pay individually for each one is about $160.00. See the details at http://www.london-gosee.com <BR>This card offers discounts on admissions to selected sites. <BR>Take a close look at the sights the card offers discounts for...they may or may not be the ones you want to see. <BR>Before purchasing any pass, keep in mind that a few London museums like the National Gallery, the Tate, and the British Museum are free all the time, many are free for children under 16 all the time, and many others are always free if you go after 4:30 pm, so there are other ways to save. <BR> <BR> <BR>Travel cards and Underground Passes: Check the website <BR>www.londontransport.co.uk which has excellent information on the tube, buses, passes, etc. <BR> <BR>Passes are sold in the US, but make sure you can get one for just Zones 1 and 2 (if that's what you want) as that is all many visitors need. However, a pass for Zones 1 and 2 will not cover your transportation to and from Heathrow. Phone Rail Europe in the U.S. at 1 888 BritRail. Their website is www.raileurope.com I have been told that local AAA club offices can also arrange these for you. The average clerk answering the telephone might not be aware of this-ask for a supervisor, or tell them to look in the computer under "Britrail" <BR> <BR>Unless you are using the tube a lot and every day, some people recommend the one-day travel cards. If you take a day "off" and go elsewhere, or if you take cabs, the pass may not be worth it. However, if you're not on a tight budget, the difference in prices may not be that important to you. <BR>Someone on the Fodor's Europe forum did the math Feb 2000 and concluded that the best idea for most people is to buy tube passes, of whatever duration, for just zones 1 and 2, and buy separate tickets if you are going to and from Heathrow. <BR> <BR>

elvira

Donna: <BR> <BR>I led 8 women around London last fall, and an Underground/bus pass for each was the only way to go. If I had tried to buy tickets, make sure everybody had one, etc., I would have been batty by the second day. <BR> <BR>If you are there over a weekend, buy the weekend pass for the underground and bus. You'll need zones 1-2 to see all the usual stuff. No need to hassle with tickets and standing in line, etc. If you're there during the week, then look at either day passes or a Visitor's Travelcard - again, zone 1-2 - (this pass which is good for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 7 days MUST be bought outside of the U.K); I wouldn't get a group pass because you have to travel like Siamese twins. None of these offer discounts to the usual sights. <BR> <BR>London does have a museum pass much like the Carte de Musee of Paris; the website gives you the details: <BR>http://www.london-gosee.com/ <BR> <BR>The British Museum and the National Gallery are FREE; you can buy Tower of London tickets at any underground station. <BR> <BR>Hope all of that helps. <BR> <BR>Be sure you have tranquilizers for yourself, and tranquilizer darts for THEM. <BR> <BR>

Tammy

I bought two 7-day travelcard passes for my Mom and I for zones 1 & 2 in the Knightsbridge tube station IN London. We each neeeded one passport size photo. They were wonderful for the week we were there.

anna

I believe the GoSee card is what used to be the London White Card. If so and if the same museums are still covered, it is an EXCELLENT value for a family. <BR>