I have read some guidebooks but I am still unsure about these 2 items:
When I enter the London Underground using a ticket,Travelcard or Oyster card,I am presuming I can move around between the various Underground Lines without paying additional charges,ie:I dont pay again unless I completely exit the underground system,is this correct?
Also,does my assumption apply to the bus line (or bus lines)as well? Will the driver or an attendant (upon my request)issue me a "transfer" ticket when I exit one bus for use on another bus or do I start over again and purchase a new ticket or use my travel or Oyster card again?
Thanks, John
Posted by
Freedonia
16284 posts
The London Underground is split up into zones. As long as you stay within the zones your ticket covers, you pay no extra on leaving.You can transfer between trains freely. (You will have to insert your ticket or swipe your card when leaving but not pay extra.)
If you travel into other zones, then you pay extra. If you use an oyster card, it's automatically deducted.
To make your life easier, just get an Oyster Card. If will automatically figure out the cheapest fare on all modes of public transport within London. Or a travelcard pass.( The worst way, and most expensive is to pay cash which you'll have to do on every bus you ride.)
BTW...most of the "major" sights in London are in Zone 1.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
There are no transfer ticket arrangements for bus journeys, you will pay £2 for each journey on a bus whether it is one stop or twenty stops long! This is why a pass of some sort is good value, there is a maximum daily cap on the amount you will have to spend.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
John,
On the underground when you switch lines (e.g transfer from circle line to bakerloo line) you don't actually exit the station so fare is based on number of zones from start to end.
Underground to bus or bus to bus, there is no transfer arrangement.
Oystercard pay-as-you-go is easy. On Underground you tap in on entrance and tap out on exit. On bus, you just tap in. Everything is calculated for you and there is a daily price cap.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Just in case Frank II's comments about using cash wasn't clear. You will not have to use cash each time you travel by bus if you get yourself a travelcard. We used the Oyster card on all our trips the past two times. Just touch it to the big yellow circle on the turnstile going in and out of the tube and the same thing when entering (but not exiting) the bus and that was it. I am fairly sure we saved money using it, but quite frankly even if we didn't, the convenience factor was well worth it.
You'll need to go to a ticket booth to buy the oyster card or add value to it if you're using a U.S. credit or debit card, though. That was the one inconvenience.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Here is the standard map of the London Underground.
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
43 posts
Also, look at http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ for 2 for 1 discounts if you buy a travelcard from a National Rail station (Paddington has one:First Great Western)
Print out coupons in advance (they don't care what date you entered when you requested the coupon, they may if it is several months different, but not a week or so)
For most all attractions, the standard zone 1&2 will cover you for underground and DLR if you want to go to Greenwich. Plus is covers all London bus travel as well, even outside zone 1&2, just show your travelcard when you board.
2for1 deals can easily make it worth the extra effort to get your card from the counter at the rail station.