Hello. I know someone asked a similar question but thought mine was different enough to post a new question.
My family will be traveling to London and we are arriving from Belgium (Eurostar) Thursday, July 20 and leaving to Heathrow noon-ish Tuesday, July 24.
Our kids are seven and 10 and I am not sure the best travel passes/ contactless payment method. We will mainly be in the city of London, although we might take one trip to Greenwich for the day. Thanks in advance everyone.
Posted by
nyc
82 posts
IIRC using contactless travel will automatically figure out the cheapest price you should have paid with the exception that you can buy a weekly pass for any 7 day period but if doing contactless the week always is Sunday to Saturday. Also, each person would need their own card or device to tap in and out, you can't pay for two with one card/phone. If you want discounts for the kiddos you will have to get them an oyster card and talk to a human to do so somewhere.
Posted by
Preston UK
890 posts
Some incorrect info in Toddling’s post.
Firstly kids under 10 travel free on TfL services. Make sure that you use the wider gates (there’s always at least 1) to ensure they don’t get stuck.
For the adults you can just use a contactless card or phone or smart watch pay. There’s no advantage in any sort of travel card for your visit. Some people want not to get a credit card out every time. I’m at a loss to understand why but it seems to be preferred by quite a few. If you feel the same you should get Oyster cards when you arrive at St Pancras. They cost £7 each (which you can’t get back) and user charges will be the same as with contactless cards.
Greenwich is still very much in London - in fact it’s in Zone 2.
Posted by
London
358 posts
There is no fare advantage to Oyster vs device vs contactless
Oyster has some functionality you probably don't need and costs £7 - contactless can incur fees for foreign transactions (although you are only charged once a day). Which will be cheaper depends on your banking and number of days. A fee free contactless is the easiest method. Each person needs their own payment method.
The two children travel free with an adult - aim for the wider gate that is normally at the end of the ticket barriers and you walk through together after tapping in or out.
Going to Greenwich doesn't affect the thought process. Daily cap is £8.10, roughly 3 singles, for zones 1 and 2. For Heathrow you need £5.60 and it's a cap of £14.90 that day.
Chances are (if you do St Pancras to hotel on day 1, 3 full days then just the airport run) that you'll need credit of £33 if using Oyster. And with contactless, it will do all the working out for you
Posted by
OP
California
63 posts
Thanks for the detailed information, super helpful. It is a conservative about the transaction fees but we have USAA and they usually don’t charge fees.
Just so I know, for the contactless it is just as simple as tapping watch/phone/card or do I need an account and link my card.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5330 posts
You can link this to a TfL account but it isn't required for travel. Can be handy if you think the charging has gone wrong
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32807 posts
one thing about tapping in and out. Tap the round yellow target - maybe 6 inches across so hard to miss. Tap in and out on the tube or a train but only tap in on a bus. If you tap twice on a bus it will record 2 bus trips.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32807 posts
just as simple as tapping watch/phone/card
yup
Posted by
CT by way of FL
190 posts
Quick question related to this (didn't want to start a whole other thread on transport with kids).
What is the 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard? https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/5-10-zip-oyster-photocard?intcmp=55572
Do we need this for our kids (ages 7 and 10)? The website is a bit unclear. It was the card allows for "free travel on Tube, DRL, London Overground and Elizabeth Line." BUT it ALSO says up to four kids under ten travel free with an adult, and you do NOT need the card to "travel free on buses and trams."
Does that mean they need the card to travel on the Tube? Do we need to order one? We leave in less than a month, so getting them would be tight. Or is this mainly for locals and not intended for tourists? Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks!
Posted by
Preston UK
890 posts
Ignore the Zip Oystercards. they are designed for local children, not tourists. As far as you are concerned children 10 and under travel free. Just make sure that you use the wider gates so that they can get through when you tap through. There is at least one wider gate at every station. On buses the kids can just get on. You should tap once on entering a bus but not again when you get off - buses have a flat £1.75 fee. With younger kids you should try and get at least one bus ride, preferably upstairs.