London Tube/Public Transportation Advice

cookiekrush

Hi! I'd like some advice on the London Tube/Underground/Public transport system because looking at the websites and old reviews is getting me a little anxious about my trip.

So in short, I'm going for 9 days - (Really 7 if you take away the travel to the airport days). I am staying in the Waterloo area, and plan on walking/using the tube a lot to sight see. I do have some tours planned all day for 3 of the 7 days (some all day, some not) which include transportation.

Is it better to get the oyster travel card for 7 days, or just do the pay as you go?

Thanks for the insight! It's been quite some time since I've traveled overseas, so I'm quite rusty at this.

V1m

Oyster card most definitely.

tynic

Pay as you go will eat up your cash majorly. As a reference point, a day ticket costs around 12 pounds, and a single two-station trip costs 4.70. Since you'll be there for a week, an Oyster will definitely be good value, even if you don't use it every day.

T-bolt

Yes, use an Oyster card. I was only in London for 4 days, and I thought overall it was a good idea.

ASimPerson

This is nice if you're the sort of person who likes having stuff ready-to-go: http://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card

It functions the same as a native card, just that you already have it in advance.

Creagan

If you pay as you go, you'll have to stop and buy a ticket almost every time you get on a train. That's another line to stand in, and another thing to navigate while dealing with the massive crowds in the London Underground. (Plus, it costs more.) With an Oyster, you tap the card and go. It's way better.

My mom, brother and I stayed in England for 10 days. Having Oyster cards was important.

Dis'

Oyster card will start making you savings on the third day of you using it irrc, and is vastly more convenient for buses.

cookiekrush

ASimPerson wrote: »

This is nice if you're the sort of person who likes having stuff ready-to-go: http://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card

It functions the same as a native card, just that you already have it in advance.

Yes, I found out about this yesterday, but I'm flying out on Friday, so I won't be able to get it in time.

I wasn't sure if it would be worth it to get a 7 day travel card or do a pay as you go since some of the tours I'm on already have transportation included.

tynic wrote: »

Pay as you go will eat up your cash majorly. As a reference point, a day ticket costs around 12 pounds, and a single two-station trip costs 4.70. Since you'll be there for a week, an Oyster will definitely be good value, even if you don't use it every day.

Wow, I didn't know the fares were so pricey, guess my local fare is pretty cheap compared to some other places! The fare legend is quite confusing with the on/off peak hours and the multiple different zones.

Thanks everyone! I think this thread can be closed now.

Shadowhope

IMO, the tube system is super-easy to navigate, and if you do run into trouble, I found that the staff were actually super helpful.

And as other have said, get an Oyster card.

ASimPerson

The key thing to know about fares is a) get an Oyster card and b) except for going to/from Heathrow, you will probably be in zones 1 and 2. You can also load like £10-£20 on there to start and go from there. The 7-day card is £57.20, so that's almost certainly not worth it.

flowerhoney

I disagree about the 7-day travelcard not being worth it. Having one will give you a lot of freedom, especially if you screw up and go somewhere you didn't meant to (which has happened to me many, many times) and if you're going to be taking the tube a lot I think its a good idea. It saves the hassle of topping up when £20 on your oyster eventually runs out which trust me it will unless you're EXTREMELY conservative about getting on the tube or a bus.

You need an oyster card no question and I personally would recommend a 7 day travelcard