LONDON - using public transportation ?

Please bear with me, as this will be long...

I've been researching stuff for DH and I to do when we head to London in November -- and I was curious if anyone is very familiar with the public transport over there, cause I have to tell you, I'm very confused.

Apparently you can get the PAYG Oyster Card for travel -- and its simliar to our MetroCard. Its available to use on the Tube, DLR (not sure what that is), National Rail, etc if I'm not mistaken.

However there is also an option of the Travelcard -- this is a paper card that is different from the Oyster -- availble in 1-3-7 days passes? These are good on Tube, DLR, London Overground.

Then I read that there is a special Travelcard that is issued only by National Railway stations that has the red symbol on it like crow's feet and these special cards are good for DaysOut Guide's 2for1 specials at many London attractions. These are good on the buses and trams I believe too--although I"m not sure what a tram is.

I don't know which one we should get and each time I head to forums like TripAdvisor and such, it seems I'm not the only one who is confused and I get 349 different answers.

We plan on using public transport a lot while we're there -- but then I get confused about what is considered "National Railways". We will stay mainly in London -- but plan on maybe a daytrip to Bath and one day head to Hampton Court Palace...apparently you can take the trains to these locations, but will I need to get different train tickets for them?

If anyone can please help me understand this, I would greatly appreciate it. We'll be there for a full week, Monday to Monday.

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

OK! You definitely want an Oyster card. It's super easy and you can use it on the bus, tube, and national railway. In London you will use the Tube and Bus. If you plan to head to Bath or towns outside of London you can take either a bus or the national railway (which is sorta like amtrak). I'm sure the train would be much faster then a bus.

When are you heading over? DH and I spend at least a few weeks a year in London (we have friends there) and it's one of my favorite cities

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

We're heading in November for my birthday.

I was thinking the Oystercard but then some people said that the Travelcard is better because if you overload the Oyster with money you have a hard time getting that back.....but you pay for the Travelcard for whatever amount of days you are using it -- plus if you get the Travelcard at a National Railway station you can get discounts and stuff at attractions? But then I wasn't sure if I can use that Travelcard for the trains to Hampton Court Palace & Bath. And some people said the Oyster is better for using the trains to these places.....so then I'm back at square one trying to figure out what is best.

Man I wish they had just one card and keep it simple!! haha

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

Posted by MrsPJB2007

We're heading in November for my birthday.

I was thinking the Oystercard but then some people said that the Travelcard is better because if you overload the Oyster with money you have a hard time getting that back.....but you pay for the Travelcard for whatever amount of days you are using it -- plus if you get the Travelcard at a National Railway station you can get discounts and stuff at attractions? But then I wasn't sure if I can use that Travelcard for the trains to Hampton Court Palace & Bath. And some people said the Oyster is better for using the trains to these places.....so then I'm back at square one trying to figure out what is best.

Man I wish they had just one card and keep it simple!! haha

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

I have to send you my book!!!!

I can't remember for the life of me what Matt & I got, I'll look when I get home.

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

Posted by BunnyWife

Posted by MrsPJB2007

We're heading in November for my birthday.

I was thinking the Oystercard but then some people said that the Travelcard is better because if you overload the Oyster with money you have a hard time getting that back.....but you pay for the Travelcard for whatever amount of days you are using it -- plus if you get the Travelcard at a National Railway station you can get discounts and stuff at attractions? But then I wasn't sure if I can use that Travelcard for the trains to Hampton Court Palace & Bath. And some people said the Oyster is better for using the trains to these places.....so then I'm back at square one trying to figure out what is best.

Man I wish they had just one card and keep it simple!! haha

What a wonderful place to spend a birthday! You're gonna love it!

My feeling is the oyster card is just easier. You have to "swipe" when you enter the underground and when you leave, unlike the metro card here. With the paper card you have to put it in the slot and wait for it to be read. With the oyster card you just smack it against the turn style and your through. The station agents are very helpful. Tell them how long you're gonna be there and what you plan to do. They can give you an idea of how much money you should put of the card. We've never had a ton of money left over on the card and you can always use it for your next trip - Trust me. You will want to go back!

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

Make sure you book any tickets on line, the train systems in the UK are NOTORIOUS for having confusing pricing systems, and in many instances, it really is cheaper to buy two one way tickets. Also, buying tickets online is going to be the cheapest option for you.

You can try www.trainline.com for travel information. Inside of London is easy because you can get an Oyster card.

Travelling on a Sunday outside of London is a gamble, because any railway works are always done on a Sunday (train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston shoudl take 2.5 hours, on a weekend can take 5-6 hours)

I agree with another poster, it might be worth it to pay for a day tour type thing sometimes because it would include transportation.

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

Posted by lilacwine

Posted by BunnyWife

Posted by MrsPJB2007

We're heading in November for my birthday.

I was thinking the Oystercard but then some people said that the Travelcard is better because if you overload the Oyster with money you have a hard time getting that back.....but you pay for the Travelcard for whatever amount of days you are using it -- plus if you get the Travelcard at a National Railway station you can get discounts and stuff at attractions? But then I wasn't sure if I can use that Travelcard for the trains to Hampton Court Palace & Bath. And some people said the Oyster is better for using the trains to these places.....so then I'm back at square one trying to figure out what is best.

Man I wish they had just one card and keep it simple!! haha

What a wonderful place to spend a birthday! You're gonna love it!

My feeling is the oyster card is just easier. You have to "swipe" when you enter the underground and when you leave, unlike the metro card here. With the paper card you have to put it in the slot and wait for it to be read. With the oyster card you just smack it against the turn style and your through. The station agents are very helpful. Tell them how long you're gonna be there and what you plan to do. They can give you an idea of how much money you should put of the card. We've never had a ton of money left over on the card and you can always use it for your next trip - Trust me. You will want to go back!

ITA. The oystercard was really easy to use and you can refill it if you need more.

For the trips outside of London, be sure to check the train schedules and figure out how easy it is to get around at your destination. Or, you could take a day tour. We booked our day trip to Paris on this site -- worked out very well and we saved a lot of money over booking it directly. Here's the company we used:

premium tours UK

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?

well we definitely are going a day tour to Bath, Stonehenge and either Salisbury Cathedral or Windsor Castle -- I've been pricing out tours.

But was curious if anyone has had experience with using the Travelcard instead of the Oyster? The 2for1 attraction specials for that card seem worth it, but I wanted to know if anyone had actually had an experience using the National Railway issued Travelcard for their travels within London or not?

Re: LONDON - using public transportation ?