Hi,
We ( husband,daughter 17, and mself) will be in London for 4 days in July. I would like to take advantage of the 2 for 1 offers with the purchase of travel cards. Does this work if we only use the cards for the bus and tube and never take the train? Has anyone used the cards this way-getting 2 for 1 admission into many high priced sights by showing their card? Is there a downside to using the cards? We plan on visiting the Tower of London, St Pauls and many other things that the 2/1 offer covers but don't really see any reason to take the train anywhere. Thanks for your input.
Joanne
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Travelcards are good on the Tube, bus, Docklands Light Railway, and some National Rail overland trains in the London travel zones covered by the travelcard. Buy 1-day, zone 1-2 travelcards with the National Rail logo on them from a National Rail station for each day you plan to take advantage of any 2for1 offers. Print your 2for1 vouchers at www.daysoutguide.co.uk.
The only downside would be if you don't take enough rides on any given day to justify buying travelcards for that day. However, the savings you'll get on entry fees probably will still make the travelcard a good deal for that day.
Posted by
Tipton, Iowa
332 posts
The travelcard works fine if you buy from a National Rail office, not from a tube station. I had no trouble with mine. There is no way to tell from the travelcard whether you took a train or not. The travelcard is valid for train travel and that is all that matters.
Four days worth of travelcards is a little awkward. For the usual zones 1&2, four 1 day off-peak cards cost £22.40, slightly cheaper than a seven day travelcard at £25.80, which is cheaper than four 1 day anytime travelcard for £28.80. With 5 days of travel, the 7 day travelcard is a better value than five one day cards.
One disadvantage is that the 2 for 1 offers work best with an even number of travelers. It really is 2 for 1, not half price. Take extra vouchers in case your odd man out can pair up for significant savings with a stranger in a queue.
Check out this link for a complete listing of Days Out 2 for 1 offers on one handy page: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k3509781-London_Pass_Days_Out_Worksheet_thru_September_2010-London_England.html
Posted by
London
291 posts
Note your 17 year old will need to apply for an Oyster ID Card to get child rates.
As these take a minimum 3 weeks to process you'll need to apply online and collect the ID card in London.