Oyster or Contactless and exception for 15 yr old

Every rider must have their own contactless payment for the tube and buses. You can use contactless payment for the day to Richmond/Kew Gardens. You will be charged a slightly higher fare for that route than you would if traveling only in zone 1 & 2. No need to buy anything extra. It's calculated automatically.

Since contactess like this is basically "Pay as you go," you get charged for each ride with a daily cap. Fares are the same regardless of the type of contactless payment used.

You can use your Apple Watch or Apple Pay.

The trip to Manchester, the bus back and the hop on/hop off have nothing to do with the tube. You will have to buy separate tickets. The easiest way for the trip to Manchester and back is to download the app for the train/bus companies involved and buy tickets online. Double check that the HOHO bus is operating on Christmas. Remember, everything will be closed except for a few restaurants. And the bus only operates for a few hours.

The three letter designation for Heathrow is LHR not HTR. HTR is Hateruma airport in Okinawa, Japan. Please use LHR since this will not have some people scratching their head as do you mean one of the five airports in London or some obscure train station.

The 15 year old will need an Oyster Card to get the discount.

Frank II thank you!
My brain must be tired...LHR of course!

So the lower rates when you have the Oyster Card still applies even if we dont have the Oyster Card and use contactless?

Thanks for clarifying that the 15 yr old does need it to get the youth discount!

I'll purchase the Manchester train & bus tickets online as you recommended!

I already purchased the HOHO but it is refundable. It says it runs every 30mins between 10 am - 4 pm. Its $264 for the 6 of us. I was worried about getting really tired walking around the entire day and taxis would be few and very pricey? I had been told we could find ethnic restaurants open in the Soho area? Appreciate feedback if this is good plan to just get around the city and see landmarks on the 25th?

Christmas Day is a great time for walking around London and enjoying the outdoor sites, assuming it isn't raining. We've done it several times before, and really enjoyed it. I doubt you'll get tired - even when our kids were much younger than yours, we never had to resort to taxis. If you do, they are tricky to get.

There are sufficient Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese restaurants open. We normally end up eating in Paddington or Bayswater, but Soho would be good as well.

Have you considered just getting on an ordinary bus.

Not on Christmas Day, which is the day the HoHo bus (usually a waste of time and money, but >maybe< a decent choice on Christmas Day since nothing else is operating (is the HoHo really working??)) is scheduled for.

That's a lot of money for a mediocre ride. Especially if it is so you can get to a restaurant and back again. That's an expensive dinner. There are better options...

It was said above that the tube is irrelevant for the trip to Manchester (I wonder who will be owning the team by then). Gotta get from Victoria to Euston. Tube - Victoria Line - is easiest.

Why don't you take the train back from Manchester instead of the much slower National Express coach (not bus)?

Yes, the discount is the same regardless of which contactless method of payment you use.

At $264, the Hop On Hop Off Bus is a waste since nothing will be open and all you will do is sit on a bus. Chances are, you are going to see everything on your other London days.

Instead, how about a Christmas Day Cruise on the Thames? It will be chilly but different. Some include a meal as well.

London Walks is offering a couple of guided walks.

I have spent many Christmases in London and will do so this year as well. It is a good day for walking around but you don't need to venture that far.

Many ethnic restaurants will be open but so will many pubs. Just remember to prebook wherever you decide to go. Many places require reservations on Xmas. Especially for six people. (Although, KFC is usually open.)

I agree with Nigel, the train for returning to London would be more comfortable but Avanti has been having problems with scheduling people and trains. Keep an eye out for that.

Have been to London for Christmas many times. Since public transportation is shut down I’ve learned to stay near one of the Royal Parks or the Thames Path.

I’m a walker so on Christmas day I have breakfast at my accommodation then bundle up and head out. Been known to rent a Boris Bike or simply walk and walk and walk some more. People watching or seeing the fallow dear in Richmond Park or viewing the public art along The Line. I’m also into strolling about cemeteries.

Personally I love London environs on Christmas Day.
There’s a bit of stillness and quiet.

Thanks for all the help! Really is clarifying things

The reason for the Manchester Coach is if I’m reading the schedules correctly there is no train for after the game. Game starts at 20:00. I don’t see a direct train that leaves late enough. The ones I see have long stops and take longer than the coach?? The coach leaves at 23:30. Am I seeing that correctly?
Also for Manchester I was going to go ahead and purchase the train bc it’s so much less in advance. Any chance game time will change??

For HoHo I might reconsider. After days of walking just worried about tired legs, mine not the kids! Haha! Also weather. There is a HoHo just for Christmas Day via Golden Tours. But it sounds like you all think HOHO is a waste?

I have special meals booked all other days. Just thought we would get some ethnic food while wandering the city on 25th. Maybe pop in a pub or somewhere to hear the Kings speech? If that’s possible or enjoy our hotel. We won’t be there much the other days!

Keep advice coming. Leaving in 2 weeks!

Blockquote
Avanti has been having problems with scheduling people and trains. Keep an eye out for that

Frank tell me what I need to keep an eye out for??

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Personally I love London environs on Christmas Day.
There’s a bit of stillness and quiet.

This sounds lovely and what I was hoping for!

Game starts at 20:00

problem.

Yes, the last direct train that could get you back in the metrop in anything like a decent time leaves Manchester Piccadilly at 21.15.

If the match starts at 20.00, the earliest I would expect you to be able to start to the station would be 22.00 or 22.30.

The special game-day station at the stadium has been taken out of service at the request of the Glazer brothers. You will have to get into the centre of town for either a train or coach.

Do you really want to be on a coach all the night and arrive at stupid o'clock? I wouldn't. It takes all night - leaves at 23:50 and gets to Victoria Coach Station at 6:20am. All night on a coach?

If I had a football crazy kid I'd arrange to stay in a Manchester hotel and take the train back the next day. At least I'd get some sleep.

Avanti has been having problems with scheduling people and trains. Keep an eye out for that

Frank tell me what I need to keep an eye out for??

I must be careful because a lot of really good people that I have known for many years still work on the West Coast Main Line trains currently operated by Avanti.

Unfortunately since the franchise was taken back by the government and sold to Avanti, an excellent service which used to have frequent excellent trains nearly always on time or close to it, has been driven into the ground by unfortunate decisions.

They have completely fallen out with their unions who have refused to work overtime, and there are many other consequences.

They demolished most of the timetable by cutting up to two thirds of the trains on many of their routes, and they have been known to cancel on a whim.

They have been served with an improvement order.

From a very reliable service they now have the opposite. And it is not the fault of the folks on the front line. (stepping off soapbox - perhaps somebody not quite so close to the trees could comment)

Frank tell me what I need to keep an eye out for??

Cancellations. Delays.

The good news is if the train is delayed 15-29 minutes you get 25% of the ticket refunded. 30-60 minutes you get 50% of the ticket refunded. Over an hour and you get the entire ticket refunded.

The bad news....he could miss the match.

The other things is getting to Etihad Stadium from the Manchester train station. Manchester has numerous stations. He needs to get off at Manchester Piccadilly. From there take the blue line tram to the stadium. Returning is different. He needs to fight the crowds to get on the Blue line return but it would be best to go one stop past Manchester Piccadilly to Piccadilly Gardens. From there it's about a 5 minute walk to the bus station. And then he gets to sit on a coach for 6 1/2 hours.

What time did you plan to take the train from London to Manchester?

Regards to eating on Christmas Day.....most restaurants will be closed. Those open will be busy. Pubs will not have normal business hours and may only be serving a fixed price Christmas meal. They may require reservations.

You do what you want. But if I didn't have plans for Christmas Day and wanted to go to a decent restaurant or pub, I'd make reservations.

Added: I see Nigel gave excellent answers but I'll keep mine up. Let me also add that I wanted to suggest staying in a hotel near the train station and returning early the next morning. There are numerous hotels within one block of the station. Just make sure they allow someone his age to check in.

Thanks Frank and Nigel!

My son is going to game with a 22 yr old pal who happens to be in London for Christmas too.
Maybe we will do the hotel but means my son misses our Tower of London tour on 23rd. Just found out about game but will be the highlight for the boys.

I thought they could sleep on coach but maybe not?

Truly appreciate you taking the time to respond. We are so excited about our trip!

The bus is the only way to get back to London after the match. He's 19 he'll be alright travelling overnight.

The time of the kick-off won't change.

you get charged for each ride

Yes - but I found that tfl added up our rides for the day and charged our account the sum. This confused me last month when I was checking my expenses against my bank account.

If there are two of them then it is better than your son wandering around Manchester trying to get from Piccadilly Station or Gardens to the Bus Station at night.