England travel itinerary from USA - NEED help - 2 Seniors ages 73 & 64

Your question stands a better chance of getting answers if you change the subject line to something like "Rail Pass, Oyster cards, bus, taxi questions"

With the current subject line, it looks like you're asking people to advise you on where to travel or where to stay.

Following on from your previous post, I see that your itinerary is coming together and includes both short and long rail trips over 7 travel days. I'd probably choose the hop-on flexibility of the BritRail Pass for 8 travel days within a month for $346 per senior in 2nd class. Or, the England-only version saves $68 per person, but you'd spend $40-50 of that for separate tickets roundtrip between Bristol Parkway and Barry, Wales, and wouldn't be able to use your extra/eighth day in Wales, if you're considering that option. Allow about one week for rail pass delivery before you leave home.

Colchester to Stotfold is not very direct by train, including changing stations in London. Will your friends pick you up at Hitchin train station, which would save a couple of additional connections?

We don't recommend that you buy advance-discount tickets for traveling right after flight arrival, in case of delays, and the regular, Off-Peak tickets that you might buy from Heathrow to Leeds would be about 185 pounds for two if you have the Two Together Travel Card. I don't know whether or not you're wanting to commit to departure times further ahead for other, longer travel days, which makes a difference in any price comparison.

Oyster Cards are used for buses and Tube in London, but with your plan not reflecting any time in that city, you would have to check ticket procedures for the separate local transit of Leeds or other cities.

1 "Does buses accept only oyster cards," They accept oyster cards, travelcards and contactless cards.

2 "should i buy before i leave?" No, the visitor oyster is a more restrictive product, buy oyster cards when you arrive.

3 "Do taxis accept credit cards? " Officially yes but you may get the "card readers not working guv" when they want some cash in hand fares.

To elaborate on the answer by harleydonski, above, his number 1 and number 2 answers only apply to London transport, Transport for London (TfL). None of your stated journeys are in London, so my answers would have to be, for you, given what you have asked -

"Does buses accept only oyster cards, should i buy before i leave?"

No buses except those in London accept Oyster. No, don't buy before you leave. Buses are privatised in the UK - every company and every location is different, although there are a few major companies they operate each area differently, and there are many smaller ones who are all different. Please check locally. Outside of London, usually it is pay in cash to the driver when you get on, some accept contactless.

"Are B&B's better than hotels etc?"

I'm sorry - better for what? Front desk services? Breakfast? Parking? Bed comfort? Please say what you are comparing.

"Do taxis accept credit cards?"

Maybe. Outside London they are all controlled by the local Council which all have different regulations and different degrees of enforcement. Some may take cards, some won't - ask in advance.

Regarding the train travel - how comfortable and confident are you in researching and buying the individual tickets? I don't normally recommend a railpass but if you would not be comfortable doing the research and buying the tickets perhaps one would suit.

We used a Visa contactless credit card for buses, trains, and light rail in London and Liverpool. I only carried one card with me and that was it. An exception would be taxis. Having a couple hundred or so GBP with you is a good idea.

I don;t think that you are doing these places in the best order. For example, it is a bit risky to do the long journey from Barry to Heathrow on the day of a flight. It would be far better to be near to Heathrow for night prior to flight. Godalming for example is one of the places you have listed that is nearer to Heathrow.

At the start of your trip, you perhaps would be better off with a shorter trip - perhaps to Colchester or Godalming rather than going all the way to Leeds.

You mention Tamworth. You can get a direct train (hourly) from Tamworth to Cardiff and the journey takes 2 hours 25 minutes. (I have just seen an Advance specific train fare in the middle of the day for £35.55 - that’s without a railcard). It would probably then be cheaper to pay for the local train to Penarth or Barry on the day at Cardiff.

www.nationalrail.co.uk