Hello,
I am thinking about getting the London 1 week visitor travelcard shipped to the US ahead of time, just so I have it when I arrive. I am looking at the 7 day pass, zones 1&2 (this is where we plan to be, we are staying near Hyde Park, sticking to the central areas).
Before I order, could anyone confirm that:
- Have you done this? Ordered the visitor card to be shipped here? Did it work like you expected once there? No problems?
- my 3 kids (4, 8, 10) will indeed get to travel free with me that whole week.
We are planning on using mostly tube, not buses. Has anyone done this and did you encounter any problems or did the kids just go through the side gate easily with no questions?
Thanks so much.
Taresa
As far as I can tell the only advantage to waiting to get it there is that it would be on an Oystercard instead of a plastic ticket (but I'd pay 5 pounds more).
Posted by
Texas, California
70 posts
The Oystercard is a plastic card. And, the 5 pound is refunded if you turn the card back in at the airport when you are headed home.
Posted by
Central Indiana, USA
357 posts
The visitor Oyster card is PAYG only, you can't add a Travelcard to it, and it's non-refundable. It takes maybe five minutes of waiting in line to purchase a regular Oyster card.
Posted by
OP
33 posts
Thank you!
I'll wait and get an Oystercard when I get there. From what I read online my kids should be free.
Thanks for the help!
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
A travelcard can't be added to a visitor's oyster card, which is why it is sold as a paper ticket instead.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The ages make them free.
No knowledge of side gates, but there's enough time in the flapper cycle for two to scoot through, maybe three if they're in lock step - - or just tote the short one. I make the runts go first, but sometimes the rascals hesitate deliberately to get the old guy stuck - - you can still push through without breaking the mechanism.
Posted by
OP
33 posts
Thank you all. Ed, these are the tips you just can't get in guidebooks! I'll tote the small one & have the other 2 squeeze in first w/ me close behind. :)
Posted by
Omaha, NE USA
67 posts
The advantage of the Travelcard is that there is a version that can get you two for one on many attractions. It requires a little pre-planning, because you need to bring a photo, only get it from certain kiosks in train stations, and you have to print out "vouchers" to hand out at the attractions.