I'm thinking that with only 3 days in London, it doesn't make sense to apply ahead of time and spend £20 on a 16+ oyster card for my son and then have to collect it at LHR? What's a general ballpark on how much should I expect to spend with a pay-as-you-go adult oyster in a day? (I know that's completely based on what one does... just trying to get an idea. We are staying in Rotherhithe and will probably stay out and visit a couple of areas each day.)
Posted by
Land of La
8663 posts
Just get it when you arrive. 5£ refundable deposit. You can get it at Heathrow.
Thankfully, Rotherhithe is in Zone 1, However not in the City center so a bit more travel time to the 2 sites a day.
For example the ride to Parliament Square ( Parliament, Elizabeth’s Tower (bell inside is Big Ben), Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms could be 15 to 30 minute ride from your neighborhood to Westminster Station. Would depend on which station you are closer to; Rotherhithe, Surrey Quays or Canada Water.
Before your trip check the Sands Film School
website to see if there film showings have returned.
The walk along the river ( Thames Path provides nice views of London and Tower Bridge from across the river. There’s also interesting art work… Either the Angel or Mayflower pubs are worth a visit. Nice to sit outside and watch the sun set.
Enjoy your visit. Great city to explore.
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, USA
295 posts
Claudia-- What an absolutely brilliant post... I appreciate the tips a great deal!
Yes, I was planning on doing exactly as you said for myself, but I was told my son would need the photo ID version with a non refundable deposit in order to get the child rate available to 16-17 year olds for the metro and bus. I'm just thinking that, with only 3 days, we might barely make up the difference for our trouble?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5515 posts
Rotherhithe is in zone 2. If all of your travels are within zone 1 and 2, there is a daily cap of 7.70 GBP for an adult and 3.85 GBP for a 16 year old. You can check fares and caps on tfl.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares/pay-as-you-go-caps#on-this-page-1
The vast majority of sites are in zone 1 and 2. I find most days I hit the cap.
Heathrow is in zone 6, so you may pay more on the day you arrive.
I’d just get the adult card with only 3 days. You won’t save anything with a 16+ card since you have to pay the 20 GBP admin fee.
Posted by
Land of La
8663 posts
@ Laura
Thanks for the geography lesson. Zone 2 it is.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
All Zip Oyster cards are really products designed for London residents & people who visit London regularly (the 16+ card is less generous for the latter category too). A one-off few days visit can never pay back the admin fee let alone the hassle in getting one.
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, USA
295 posts
@Marco, thanks for confirming. That's what I was thinking, but not familiar enough to understand how much one might rack up gallivanting around all day.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
I'm not sure you need an actual Oyster card if you would end up getting the adult version and will just be there for a few days. Any credit card that works as a contactless card should give you the Oyster card rate. At least it did for me the last time I was in London. Although I had an Oyster card, I ended up just using my credit card. More convenient because no need to add funds to the card, as I would have to do for an Oyster card.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Here is a thread with more details: Contactless card for the Tube