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Am I correct in assuming that purchasing an Oyster Card would be the best solution for using public transportation in London - for a week-long trip?

I'm a little bummed about this. I figured being a New Yorker was more than enough prep work for world-wide public transportation, but you Brits have me stumped!!

The Oyster Card charges the same prices as individual tickets (i.e. a travel card for the entire day will cost the same whether you buy it directly or with the OC). However, the card will automatically calculate the cheapest fare, and it is accepted in pretty much all public transportation. It is more convenient and saves money of you end up travelling less than you intended.

Do be aware that you will need to pay a small charge for purchasing the card, and that you will need one for each person travelling.

As an alternative, if you buy an all day ticket for the Underground, wait until after 9.30am to buy, a lower price applies !

Mandrake wrote:As an alternative, if you buy an all day ticket for the Underground, wait until after 9.30am to buy, a lower price applies !

Its been a while since i've been to London. But you can buy a week long 'travelcard' can't you? I am sure it was slightly cheaper as well.
Again, like Mandrake said, get an off-peak one.

You can get an oyster card, and put a travelcard on it, so you have a plastic one instead of paper. Though if you don't plan using transportation much, then the oyster card is good. Not only does it give you the best fare, it is also so much easier than having to worry about tickets and change.

yes, you can get a weekender.
I must admit i get a ticket for the trains, and bus, and tube when i pop up to town. But i only go for the day, and tend to do tons of walking, as most interesting things in london are a good walk away from each other

If you're there for a week and intend using public transport a fair bit, then it'll probably be worth your while getting a 7-day travelcard on your Oyster. A 7 day card for zones one and two will cost you less than £30 and will allow you to travel at any time.

We'll most likely be walking more than anything - but wanted to see what our options were, just in case we wanted to jump on a train/bus/etc.

The travel card sounds like it might be our best option.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Don't forget that your travel or oystercard can be used on the buses too! Just hop on any old double-decker and enjoy a free mystery tour - seriously, when I go to London my partner and I will often jump on a bus, go to the top deck and spend a nice half an hour resting our feet and looking out at London. It's great fun.

When are you coming to London? That's lot of magic stuff going on if you time it right!

TheStoner wrote:When are you coming to London? That's lot of magic stuff going on if you time it right!

My mystic senses tell that the visit is imminent.... in the next few days... and it won't just be to London, Britain's Second City gets a visit - or at least The Alexandra Theatre does... just in time to see Derren Brown... hell, I'm good !

A One-Day Bus Pass is by far the cheapest option and is valid on buses in all zones, but it does take longer during rush hour.

I travel to London every week and use an Oyster Card, it costs £5 per card but you can get a full refund on the card and money remaining on it when you hand it back in at the end of your trip.

If you're planning on walking a lot I'd do the Oyster card.

For example a bus ride with one is £1.30, without it's at least £2 per person. A single Tube ride was £4 without the card and £1.90 with the card.

As someone mentioned earlier this will be capped at the max cost of a travel card for the day no matter how much you use it.

A 7 day card would be a great option as well should you know you're travelling a lot each day rather than walking.

Prices and types of travel cards http://www.londontoolkit.com/briefing/travelcard.htm

Mandrake has a gift!!!!