I understand that in order to get to the station closest to my hotel, I should take the Picadilly line, and then transfer to the Bakerloo line, getting off at Lambeth North. The question I can't seem to get answered is HOW do I get the "well-signed transfer" that keeps being mentioned. Who gives me the transfer? In addition, since I have already purchased a hop on/hop off bus pass to get us around while there, I will probably only use the tube to get to and from the airport. Am I better off just paying per ride? The oyster cards are very confusing to me, and seem like too much trouble. I would appreciate any answer on the transfers in particular. We will figure out how to pay at some point :)
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Jody, forgive me for saying so, but you sound confused about something that is really easy, probably because you don't understand the terminology.
You want to get to Lambeth North tube station, but where are you coming from?
Since you mention the Piccadilly line, I guess Heathrow airport? The official tube map is here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf
This should be your transport bible. You can get free paper copies from any tube station.
HOW do I get the "well-signed transfer" that keeps being mentioned. Who gives me the transfer?
Dummies guide to using the tube: Coming from Heathrow (is my assumption correct?), bottom left, square E1 on the map; you will be on the Piccadilly line (dark blue on map) you stay on your train until Piccadilly Circus (square D5). There you get off your train, and follow signs for "Bakerloo line, southbound". The signs will be colour-coded brown, same as on the map. You then get on your new train, and get off at Lambeth North (square E5).
The "transfer" isn't a thing (in English they say "change trains"). It just means get off one train/bus and get on another.
Ticketing: Oyster cards are not too much trouble, they are your friend. They are an "access all transport" pass for London. You fill it up with money, and you can use any train or bus in London, when it starts getting empty you just fill it up again. An Oyster card is at least 40% cheaper than buying tickets per ride, if you do a lot of trips it can be more. Plus you don't have to keep stopping to buy tickets, just flash it at the ticket barrier (or the reader on the bus).
How many days have you bought this Ho-Ho pass for? A Ho-Ho bus is only useful to get your bearings on the first day, and for the recorded commentary. And it will have only one or two routes. Normal buses and tubes will go many many more places, a lot more frequently, more directly and cheaper.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8525 posts
The "transfer" is not a piece of paper (like a bus transfer ticket in the US). They just mean there are (many) signs pointing the way to the other line.