Tube from Heathrow

To get the best Tube (and Bus) routes, head over to the travel planner at www.tfl.gov.uk Simply type in the name or address of your hotel in the destination box for the most accurate directions. 20 pounds is a good amount to start out with on the oyster card. It's best to check your balance and reload the card late in the evenings (when your heading back to the hotel after the theater), lines are much shorter at that hour.

I would probably transfer at South Kensington to either the Circle or District line.

When I was in London last September, they offered different options for Oyster cards, one being unlimited use for 3-5 days or something like that. I purchased an Oyster card that cost me about 27 Pounds( flat rate), and was good for the entire 4 full days I was there. I never needed to "top it up" or anything, and I used the Tube frequently each day.

Transfer to the District Line at Hammersmith, it's cross-platform in each direction with no stairs.

Philip has it right

Hammersmith is easiest.

Glenn, what you had was a travelcard put on your Oyster. That allows unlimited travel for the time frame purchased. The cards are for one day, 7 day, one month, and more.

Jeff, since you'll be in London for 5 days, and you say you plan to use the tube every day, think about getting the travelcard for just under 26 GBP.

Thanks everyone!!!

The 25.80 GBP seven day travelcard to which Frank II refers is for zones 1-2. You can load it on an Oyster card. You'll also need to load some pay-as-you-go pounds on the Oyster card to cover your ride into London from Heathrow, which is in zone 6, and for any other rides you take beyond zone 2. If you'll be traveling with one or more people, you can get some really good 2for1 deals offered by National Rail if you buy a paper travelcard with the National Rail logo on it at any National Rail station (not a Tube station). The price is the same and the same means of transportation are included: Tube, Docklands Light Railway, National Rail trains, and trams in the zones covered plus the entire London bus network. To see the 2for1 offers and to print vouchers for the ones that interest you, go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk.

Just got back yesterday from 2 days in London. 20 pounds is a good start, if you have to reload it you have to do so in 5 pound increments but it was very easy to get everything plus the 3 GBP it cost to get the card at the end. I would also suggest transferring at Hammersmith, you simply walk across the other side of the platform to catch the district line. This was a great tip I got from this board!

Transfer to the district line at Earls Court. They have rarely found lifts and free loos. :)

I lived in Earls Court area for a couple of months. At Earls court the Piccadilly Line is fairly deep, District is on a completely different level, so unless you need to use the free loos, doesnt make sense to change there, especially with luggage. All the locals change at Hammersmith for good reason

I forgot about Hammersmith. But don't you have to go across the street to change lines?

Tami, at Hammersmith there is one wide-ish platform in each direction, the District line is on the right hand side (as i recall) and the Piccadilly on the Left (or vice versa); commuters just dash, or stroll, across the platform to switch lines. Very prevalent. Also interesting to watch as each train pulls in

It's the Hammersmith and City Line that is across the street from the District and Piccadilly.

I would recommend switching to the District Line at Baron's Court - nice, quiet station, you just need to cross the platform. We usually put a travel card on our oyster, it makes travel so easy and you don't have to worry about how much is left on your oyster, but it is not necessary. When you swipe your oyster card, it will tell you how much is left. A travel card may be cheaper - the oyster will not charge you more than a 1-day travel card, but a 7-day travel card is cheaper per day than 7 1-day passes. Depends on how much you will be using the tube. And don't forget the buses - they are marvellous and with a travel card it is easy to just hop on for a few blocks. There are little maps at each stop that tell you where the buses that stop there go. Have fun!

I'm not sure you will need to use the tube each day. I find the tube dark smelly and depressing. We usually walk as you can see so much more. If you are going some distance get on a bus. Sit on the top deck and enjoy the view.

What is the difference between a travel card and an oyster card?

Jeff, you asked, so here it goes.. :)

An Oyster card is an actual plastic card. A Travel card can be added to it electronically, or purchased at a rail station in a paper version in which case you wouldn't need an Oyster card. Some people prefer the paper version since you can sometimes get discounts and 2 for 1 offers on some admissions.

You can register an Oyster card online so if it gets lost you can get a new one. If you lose a paper travel card, the party's over. :)

There is a 3 pound deposit when you get your Oyster card, refundable along with any unused cash on card if you turn it back in at the end of your trip. I always get a 7 day travel card on my Oyster card for about 25 pounds ($40). This is a bargain since without a travel card/Oyster card, it can cost 5 pounds per "each" individual ride. I can use it in zones 1-2 unlimited times per day, and zones 1-6 on any bus. I also add a bit of cash (about $10) for the tube rides to get from and back to Heathrow (zone 5?), or if I ride outside of zones 1-2 at anytime. It will deduct the difference when I tap back out after I get to my destination (you tap a yellow button with the card).

Since you will be there only 5 days, you may want to just put on about 5 pounds per day since it caps off at about that after you use it a few times per day, but if you plan to also ride city/regular double decker buses (not hop on/off) then it might even be worth it to get the 7 day card where it wont deduct any extra money for going out of zone 2.

One tip: If you do use an Oyster card with cash added to it and you ride a bus, only tap on the way onto the bus, not when you step back off. Otherwise it may charge you twice. Tap in and out for the tube.

Yes, travelcards work for the busses too.

Are the Travelcards still good for the buses too?