I know this subject has been discussed repeatedly, yet I have another question about the 7 day Travelcard. We will be in London for 9 days in January. I already have Oyster Cards from a previous trip. I would like to buy a 7 day Travelcard in order to use the 2 for 1 coupons. My question is will I be able to buy the Travelcard on a Friday when we arrive at Paddington Station, but not activate it until Sunday in order to use it for 7 days? I can use the Oyster Cards for the other two days if that is possible. Thank you for your help!
Posted by
Tipton, Iowa
332 posts
You should be able to buy a paper travel card at Paddington rail station on a Friday to start on Sunday. Check the date on the travel card before leaving the ticket window.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Read the fine print really carefully on the 2 for 1 coupons on when they can be used in relation to the use of the Travelcard. I would suspect there is something to prevent unlimited use of the the 2 for 1 coupons when the Travelcard is not in service but I don't know.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32817 posts
At the time of redeeming the voucher at the ticket window of the attraction you want to see you must present a valid National Rail ticket which is valid on that day. That may be a National Rail issued Travelcard, valid on the day. Any travelcards not issued by a National Rail ticket office, including those sold by a London Underground ticket office are NOT valid.
Posted by
OP
Providence, RI
23 posts
Thank you for your responses. My plan is to use the Oyster cards on the day we arrive and the day we leave. The Travelcard can be used in between so we can use the 2 for 1 offers. I'm glad to hear that I can activate it on a future day. Since we will be at Paddington on the first day, it makes life easier to buy it at that time instead of having to backtrack to another rail station a few days later. Thanks again!
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
9 posts
If I can ask a related question, do you know if you can take advantage of the 2 for 1 offers at an attraction if your Travelcard is not valid in the zone in which the attraction is located? Specifically, could I take advantage of the 2 for 1 offer at Hampton Court Palace (Zone 6) if I have a 7 day paper travelcard from National Rail valid for that date, but only for Zones 1-2? I've looked at the Days Out FAQ and the assumption seems to be that you will have used the travelcard to reach the attraction, but that won't actually be the case for us. I might still save money with a Zone 1-6 card, but it would be a much narrower margin, and I would only need the additional range for the Palace and the return Tube trip to Heathrow. Thanks!
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Henry - when you buy your extension ticket to Hampton Court you will be issued with a National Rail ticket, which is valid for the offer, so in your example the number of zones on your travelcard is not an issue. As to the wider question, AFAIK the zones on the travelcard are also not an issue, you just need a National Rail ticket valid on the day you want to use one of the offers. Two reasons, firstly you can use buses in Zones 1-6 regardless of the number of zones on your travelcard. Second, people travelling in to London from elsewhere in the UK on a National Rail round trip ticket can use 2 for1 offers from the day they arrive in London until the time/day they leave London. No need for them to purchase any sort of travelcard while in London to qualify.