Please sign in to post.

Travelcard vs Oyster- 3 questions

Ok, Sorry, I know this gets asked a lot but let me ask these questions:
#1 If there is no difference cost and savings wise, isn't it better to get the Travelcard BECAUSE of the 2 for 1 Savings on several attractions? #2 If we get a Travelcard for longer ie: 7 days, then the vouchers should be good for any of those days as well. Correct? # 3 We are only in London for 4 1/2 days and one day will be a 1/2 day trip to Stonehenge. Should we just get a 4 day Travelcard and then pay for for the extra day as we need? Thanks all.

Posted by
357 posts

1. If you want to use the 2 for 1, then the paper Travelcard issued by National Rail is best. If you have no use for the 2for1, then getting your Travelcard from TfL at the airport would be less of a hassle. It will be issued on a Oyster card. You can also add PAYG to cover the fare difference from the airport to London. This is based on arriving at Heathrow or London City instead of Gatwick, Luton, etc. 2. Yes. The offers are valid for the dates your card have been issued. 3. A zones 1-2 7-day card is £30.40, and covers peak travel, while 4 one day off-peak cards will be £29.20/peak will cost £35.20 and you may have to make more than one trip to buy the cards.

Posted by
32801 posts

1. agree with Miranda 2. Yes 3. Half day to Stonehenge, see Stonehenge, come back from Stonehenge? Are you using a time-turner? There is only a one day Travelcard or a 7 day Travelcard. Agree with Miranda.

Posted by
373 posts

Miranda I was just on looking at the price of Travelcards and it says they are: Zones 1 - 6 adult 7 Day Travelcard: £55.60 not the 30 you quoted. Nigel, yes we go to Stonehenge and return... It's just a day trip or in this case a 1/2 day trip. I also noted that they do not mention the 2 for 1 admissions discount on the tfl website.

Posted by
5530 posts

Shelley, Miranda quoted the price for a zone 1-2 travelcard, not a zone 1-6 card. Most tourist sights are within zone 1-2, so most tourists only buy a zone 1-2 card. If you go to Tfl.gov.uk, you can see rates and maps which show the zones.

Posted by
11294 posts

"I was just on looking at the price of Travelcards and it says they are: Zones 1 - 6 adult 7 Day Travelcard: £55.60 not the 30 you quoted." You are both right. Miranda's price is for a 1-2 zone Travelcard, and your price is for a 1-6 zone Travelcard. The only time most people go outside zones 1 and 2 is to go to Heathrow (and even then, they cannot use the Travelcard if they go by any method other than the Tube). So, just get a 1-2 zone Travelcard. "I also noted that they do not mention the 2 for 1 admissions discount on the tfl website." Exactly. That's because the 2 for 1 offers are not from TFL. They are from National Rail only. If you are trying to get the 2 for 1 offers and are planning to use a Travelcard for this (rather than an actual rail ticket), you must make sure you buy your Travelcard from a train office, not a TFL office, and that it has the "crows feet" National Rail logo, not the "circle with a slash" TFL logo.

Posted by
373 posts

Yes, actually I did find that out that it is with the National Rail. I did a Search on Rick Steves and I see i am not the only one that gets confused by all this. So if this is the way we decide to go, we need the one with crows feet on it. As for the 30, I never did see a price for the 7 day zone 1 & 2. Just the other for the 1-6. Is it the kind we need a passport type picture though for the travelcard? Also, So, even though we've got our 2 for 1 voucher we will still need to stand in a line up and purchase the other ticket. Correct?
If this is the case... can we get any savings from getting tickets ahead of time online with a discount?

Posted by
32801 posts

Is it the kind we need a passport type picture though for the travelcard? If the question is, "do we need passport sized photos for the 7 day Travelcard?", the answer is Yes. even though we've got our 2 for 1 voucher we will still need to stand in a line up and purchase the other ticket. Correct? Yes, and you will need to show them the two valid Travelcards or other train tickets, and a completed voucher print out from on-line or a paper one from a current sales booklet can we get any savings from getting tickets ahead of time online with a discount?
You're already getting half price - how much more do you want off? No, you cannot combine discounts.

Posted by
373 posts

Nigel, I guess I wasn't clear enough for you. What I meant was is there savings from booking a attractions online ahead of time....Rather than doing the 2 for 1 tickets. I realize the 2 for 1 is a great savings....However, I'm also thinking of the time savings of buying ahead of time, as opposed to the 2 for 1.
I'd really like to hear from those who have used the 2 for 1 and what you think of them. Thanks all.