Travelcards and 2 for 1

National Rail travelcards are good on the Tube - and on London buses and the Docklands Light Railway.

Travelcards are issued for different specific zones; for example zones 1 and 2, zones 1 - 4, zones 1-6, etc. Within the zones in which they are valid they can be used on most trains, Underground (Tube), Overground (commuter trains like Underground but on different routes), trams, Dockland Light Railway (DLR), and buses. Regardless of what zones your Travelcard is for you can use it for any (well nearly) London bus within all 6 major zones. 1 and 2 are for the main tourist attractions, Heathrow is in Zone 6. Gatwick is not covered by Travelcards or Oyster. Note carefully that neither Heathrow Express nor Heathrow Connect accept Travelcards or Oyster regardless of zone.

The London Eye no longer accepts National Rail Travelcard 2 for 1 discounts. I found this out 2 days ago at the ticket counter. You have to buy some kind of CO2 emissions offset voucher, apparently because the Eye is promoting green energy. Go to the Eye's website for more information, if that was one of the 2 for 1 sights you wanted to see.

Places on the 2 for 1 offers change with the seasons. Usually the London Eye, and sometimes St Pauls, only appear on the list during the autumn/winter/early spring months. Keep checking the list for the latest info

Remember that you need a National Rail Photocard to buy 7 day or longer travelcards from a rail station. Provide a passport sized photo and the Photocard will be made on the spot for free.

I thoguht I had read that a photo is no longer needed?

Sorry, Sue, it is the other way. Photos are now required for 7 days or more.