Spending 8 nights in London later this month with my spouse and our children, ages 15 and 10. We plan to use the Underground, DLR, and take the train to Cambridge. Per the TfL website, it sounds like it’s best if we (adults) pay as we go (which will include free travel for our 10YO) and get an Oyster card with a Young Visitor discount for our 15YO upon arrival. Thoughts from anyone who has used TfL recently w/kids? Are certain tube stations better than others for getting help from staff when purchasing? We’ll be staying near the Gloucester Road stop.
Posted by
United Kingdom
119 posts
If you are arriving into Heathrow I would obtain the 11-15 YVD oyster-card there, I assume the adults will use oyster/contactless credit/debit card/ Apple phone pay.
At underground stations walk with your 10 year old through the wide accessible gates, just tap through with whatever card you are using, the wide gates stay open longer and close slowly, no need to rush through, use same gates if you have luggage, no need to ask staff and sometimes there might not be anybody on the gate line, especially weekends I’ve noticed.
There are no longer any TfL ticket offices, staff are on foot and usually nearby, however Whenever I’ve been through Gloucester Rd station which has busy footfall, I often see only one TfL agent and they are tied up helping someone.
Gloucester Rd has shallow sub-surface lines with full size trains and a/c and the separate smaller deep level Piccadilly line.
The DLR uses automatic driverless trains, its interesting to sit on the front or rear seats and have a different view, DLR stations have card readers but no ticket gates or barriers, mobile staff often get on trains and do checks.
Posted by
OP
California
15 posts
Dennis, thank you so much for the recommendations and information. I was nervous about the gates (we’re not used to public transit) and especially appreciate the suggestion to use the accessible gates. From what I read on the TfL website, we will have to ask a staff member to apply the 11-15 discount, so we’ll allow extra time for that (if we don’t get it done at Heathrow). Many thanks!
Posted by
United Kingdom
119 posts
Yes that is correct, ask TfL mobile staff to apply the YVD to an oystercard, it will be valid for 14 days, but as mentioned I’ve noticed TfL staff can be thin on the ground and involved with other travellers at some stations.
It might reassure you to know school children in their uniform same age as yours use buses and underground by themselves.
Gloucester Rd is a nice neighbourhood, especially if you walk towards Kensington Gardens and have a look at the side roads, squares and residential Mews properties off the main road.
Posted by
OP
California
15 posts
I’m really looking forward to walking the neighborhood and seeing the mews. I found a self-guided walk on the Lady in London blog that starts at the Gloucester Road station and meanders around the streets and mews just south of Cromwell Road — it looks lovely. Will absolutely wander up toward Kensington Gardens, as well.
It’s definitely reassuring to know that children navigate the tube on their own — thanks for mentioning. Hopefully we won’t embarrass ourselves too much. ;). Not much experience with undergrounds in suburban Southern California.