I have tried so hard to sort out the difference between the Oyster and Travelcard. My understanding is that we will benefit from having the 7 day Travelcard for zones 1-2, but if we buy it in a tube station we won't qualify for 2-1 deals. So, we have to get the Travelcard at certain train stations buy from the National Rail, and have passport photos available for the card. This is so confusing, because I just can't figure out what the deal is on these 2/1 deals. I guess you have to take a National Rail train to get to the attraction, and get the deal on the day of purchasing the Travelcard. We're staying in the Bloomsbury area, so I don't know if it's worth it, or if I have the information wrong. I can't figure all the rules out, the British must be very complicated people. Please give me the inside scoop. Cheerio!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5866 posts
If you buy a paper zone 1-2 travelcard from a rail station, then you can use the 2 for 1 deals. You don't have to take a "Natonal Rail" train (there is no such thing) to the attraction. Your valid paper travelcard counts as your rail ticket and entitles you to. use the discount. You do need to print the 2 for 1 vouchers for the sights where you plan to use the discount. This post from tripadvisor explains just about everything you need to know:
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Think of Oyster as being like your bank card - it's simply an electronic way to store cash (for pay-as-you go tickets) or Travelcards (daily, weekly or longer). If you're just one person that's all you need carry around.
To get the 2 for 1 deals you need an actual paper ticket. It's really marketed at those living outside London who would travel in by train. So they simply use their paper train tickets to qualify.
But another type of ticket qualifies - a paper travelcard from National Rail stations in London. And that travelcard also allows you to use the buses and Tube for a week in London, just like a travelcard put "electronically" on an Oyster.
If there are two of you, and you're using public transport in London for a week, and you want to see the attractions listed on the 2 for 1, you're effectively getting half price entry. What's not to like?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
Are
The Kew Gardens included in the 2-4-1 deals?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
The 2-4-1 deals are not necessarily that great, depending on what you want to see in London. For example, the 2-4-1 deal for the Tower of London is not valid in July and August, and it no longer covers the London Eye. I'd look over the list carefully first, and then decide if it's worth it. Remember, you must buy a Travelcard at a National Rail station in order to qualify for the 2-4-1 deal.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Lola and Colette,
The list of 2-4-1 offers is on the Days Out Guide website: http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/.
Kew Gardens is included: http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/royal-botanic-gardens-kew
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
"I can't figure all the rules out, the British must be very complicated people."
Not at all, the 2 for 1 offers are funded by the train operating companies (under the National Rail banner) so a PAPER travel card bought at a NATIONAL RAIL station (not a TFL Underground station) will qualify for the 2 for 1 offers.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
The 2-4-1 deals aren't particularly targeted at overseas visitors to London; if anything they are possibly geared more to domestic travellers to encourage leisure train usage. If travelcards were banned completely from the offer it would though disadvantage a significant fraction of residents from being able to benefit.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
Thanks, Harold! We are not going until late September! and the last time I looked for Kew the offer was only good through May 2015. So they must have renewed it.
I am going to have a fun afternoon printing out vouchers!