Which Tube Pass

You say "our hotel" so I assume there will be at least one other person traveling with you. If you will be in London five or more days, buy 7-day, zone 1-2 paper travelcards when you get to Paddington. Buy them at the National Rail station, not the Tube station. Travelcards with the National Rail logo on them will qualify you for some very good 2for1 offers (including the Tower of London). Read all about them at www.daysoutguide.co.uk and print vouchers for the ones that interest you. The West End is in zone 1.

Is there anything worthwile in Zone 3-6? Also, why not buy at the tube station. Is the other cheaper?

Not really, not unless you were planning to visit Wimbledon or Kew Gardens. The pass isn't any cheaper at the railway stations...but as Tim noted, if you are purchasing two, buying them there gets you some good 2 for 1 offers. Check out the website Tim offered to see if any of these deals look good. If none apply to you, then you can purchase it where you wish.

I checked out the Days Out Guide Website. I am a bit confused (I have had a killer work week-need vacation). I have already purchased a "Britrail Pass" that will allow us to travel for a 8 days by train. I need a Tube pass-Travel card (not oyster) for a weeks worth of travel. Are you saying that I can purchase a TUBE pass at the National rail station that will give me the 2-for-one discounts? Also, is it the same price (at train station) or more expensive if I purchase at Tube station?

Travelcards cost the same, no matter where you buy them. But only travelcards with the National Rail logo on them have 2for1 offers associated with them and they are only sold at National Rail stations. Just like Tube travelcards, you can use them on the Tube, bus, Docklands Light Railway, trams, and National Rail trains within the zones covered. Yes, there are things to see beyond zone 2 (Windsor would be an example). However, except for getting to and from Heathrow (covered by your Britrail pass), you aren't likely to travel beyond zone 2 more than once or twice. Buying regular tickets for one or two trips you take beyond zone 2 will be cheaper than buying a travelcard that covers more zones.

I guess another question would be whether you plan any other rail journeys with your BritRail pass on the same day you come into London from Heathrow. If you're not, it would be worth your while to pay the $25 or so for an on-line ticket on the Heathrow Express, rather than use a day of your pass ust for that trip. The cheapest BritRail pass goes for about $30/day. You can either save that day for extra travelling, or purchase a pass with one less travel day on it.

Actually, Norm's idea is good, except instead of Heathrow Express, you could use the Tube. It takes longer, but is much cheaper (about 4 BP). Then get your tube passes at Paddington. Or get an Oyster card.

Great ideas...I got a 8 day brit rail pass pass. My plan was to fly into Heathro and travel for several days North and ending up back in London. I will then buy a 7 day tube pass. So I can buy my pass from National rail to get the 2-for-1 deal. I guess you have to print off the vouchers that you want,right?

print out the vouchers if you like, or you can usually pick up brochures with vouchers at National rail stations.