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Oyster Card for 14 yr old. (10 days to go!)

We are spending three days in London. I plan to get my husband and me oyster cards with 15 pounds each on them. I remember reading about getting an oyster card for my son for only 5 pounds. Well, as I'm going over my itinerary one last time, I realize I was supposed to do this 3 weeks in advance. Am I now stuck with doing the same thing for him (15 pound oyster cards)? Or is there another discount I may be missing?

We are flying into Gatwick and taking the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station. We are staying in the Covent Garden area. We plan to use the tube and bus for the most part to see the Westminster area, Trafalgar Square, Imperial War Museum, Tower of London, Beatles Walking Tour, British Museum & Library, and Harrods over those three days (if possible). Are the oyster cards the best option for us? Or would it be about the same to use taxis?

Posted by
8700 posts

Using taxis for three days would end up being fairly expensive.

I recommend that you buy one day, zone 1-2 paper travelcards with the National Rail logo on them for each of your three days. Doing so will qualify you for some very good 2for1 offers, including the Tower of London. To see all the offers and to print vouchers for the ones that interest you, go here.

Travelcards are not good on the Gatwick Express, but if you take a Southern train from Gatwick to Victoria, the travelcards will be good from the border of zone 2 to Victoria on that train. At the Gatwick train station buy both the regular tickets to cover you from Gatwick to the border of zone 2 and your paper travelcards. Use them again on the Tube or bus to get to your hotel.

Posted by
159 posts

Tim, that's a great idea...unfortunately I bought my Tower of London tickets online...is it too late to cancel or would that just be a big hassle. Hubby says to just forget it, but I LOVE bargains!

Posted by
159 posts

Do they still have the 'Kid for a Quid' promotion? I can't seem to find on the London Transport website.

Posted by
2804 posts

If you buy a travelcard for zones 1-2 it would be £5.60 each for you and your husband, your sons would be £2.00.

Posted by
159 posts

Thanks, Robin...that looks like the way to go.

Posted by
8700 posts

Cindy,

I don't know if you can get a refund on your Tower of London tickets. However, there are other good 2for1 offers which you still could get.