I’ve been reading in R.S. England guide about transportation in London. The recommendation is to buy an Oyster card then if staying 6 or more days to buy a 7day travel card. It seems like a bit of extra expense to add the travel card. Can anyone help me understand why it’s a good idea? I guess I’m just missing something.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7514 posts
It really depends how much you will be using the underground/buses.
A regular Oyster card, or now just a Contactless Credit Card or device, allows you to go on and off, with the advantage that it caps the fare charged for the day after so many trips, meaning if you use the underground a bunch, trips start being free.
For the 7 Day travel card, it is a fixed per day rate, regardless of how many trips you take, but you pay for 5 days and get 7.
So basically figure out if you will be using the tube every day, and about how many trips. That will help you decide to pay as you go on an Oyster or contactless, or buy the Travel card.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8346 posts
I think that this may be old advice. It used to be that a travel card might be able to give you some 2 for 1 discounts on admissions, but I don't think that this is possible any longer.
I like an Oyster Card for convenience because I would rather not be taking out my credit card every time I take public transport.
Posted by
Halifax, NS
254 posts
If I'm staying in London for 5 days or more, I ways get the travel card. I don't like sitting in traffic, so rely on the tube alot. Thr card allows me to use the tube as many times as I want without worry.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5508 posts
The Pay as you go (PAYG) daily cap for a zone 1-2 is 7.70 GBP and the PAYG weekly cap is 38.40 GBP for the period from MONDAY to SUNDAY.
The weekly travelcard is 38.40 GBP for ANY 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
Depending on the day of the week you arrive and how much you plan to travel, you could save money on a travelcard. For example:
- If you arrive on Monday, there is no need to buy a travelcard as your stay is aligned with the PAYG weekly cap period.
- If you arrive on a Thursday and plan to spend 6 days (Thursday to Tuesday), you could save money with a travelcard. PAYG would be 6 * 7.70 = 46.20 if you reached the cap each day whereas the travelcard would be 38.40 GBP
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares/caps-and-travelcard-prices?intcmp=54720
I usually hit the cap each day that I am in London, so I always load a zone 1-2 travelcard on my Oyster when I am staying 6 or more days along with some extra money to cover travel outside of zone 2.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5508 posts
Just wanted to add one more thing that I think confuses some people. The oyster card is just a vehicle for storing tickets/funds. You can load a weekly travelcard as well as pay as you go money on an oyster.
For example, I usually load a zone 1-2 travelcard and PAYG money on my oyster when I am staying in London for a week. When I travel within zone 1 and 2, the system knows to use the travelcard. When I travel outside of zone 2, the system charges the extension fare (e.g., the fare from zone 2 to your destination)
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
I think that this may be old advice. It used to be that a travel card might be able to give you some 2 for 1 discounts on admissions, but I don't think that this is possible any longer.
Correct. A paper 7-day travel card from a National Rail station used to qualify for the 2-for-1 deal. They were stopped back in June and are only issued on Oyster and some train operators' smart cards. They are still sold for starting stations outside of the London zonal system.