patocalamaro2001 asked:


Whats the most convenient/cheapest optoin for traveling around London for three days and for regular trips aswell?

4 Responses to “Whats the difference between using Oystercard and Travel cards in London?”

1. xinio654 on November 15th, 2007 7:10 pm

   I don’t know what travel cards are but oystercards are really helpful for getting around the city. I don’t know if they are cheaper than travel cards, but oystercards are damn cheaper than regular fare. Call or go online to the organization’s site that handles that stuff. Have fun in london

2. David S on November 16th, 2007 3:33 am

   For a visitor to London travelcards are preferable since Oyster pre-pay although valid throughout the Underground and bus system, is not valid on much of the suburban rail system, where as travelcards providing you are travelling within the zones marked on your ticket, are valid. If for example you want to visit Hampton Court Palace, you will be using the suburban rail system (from Waterloo Station) and not the Underground. Some types of travelcard issued to vistitors only are also valid on specific rail routes beyond the London area, such as those to Windsor. See

3. SCG on November 19th, 2007 5:39 am

   Don’t bother with oyster card just go for a travel card if you only stay in london for a week or less. Oyster card is only good for londoners. There’s only a bit of difference of the fare, Oyster card holder saves lessthan a pound for a day travel in london but its not a big deal. Just go with day travel card and as much as possible purchase your ticket off peak time, much cheaper (After 930am weekdays and all day on weekends). Enjoy your london escapade.

4. Richard W on November 21st, 2007 4:58 pm

   If you are only in London for three days, forget the Oyster card - the two options available (pay as you go and travelcards) are either too expensive, or too inconvenient.

   There are still a couple of other options available to you, depending on how early you like to get up, and what days you are travelling.

   If you like to get out and about early, and you will be travelling befor 9.30am on mon-fri on at least one of your days, you can get a three day travel card for £17.40. This will cover central London (zones 1 and 2) which is sufficient to cover almost all of the tourist attractions. If you don’t, or if you are undecided, the one day cards are £5.30 after 9.30 (you can buy them up to 4 days in advance, so you can buy them all at the beginning of your trip - don’t worry if you buy one and decide later that you are going further, or travelling before 9.30, just take it to the ticket office where you bought it, or another of the same company, and pay the difference to upgrade it), or £6.80.

   You will hear the terms peak and off peak quite a bit in London. On the underground, the peak is before 9.30 mon - fri, and off peak is the rest of the time (the more expensive tickets allow you to travel in the peak time, as does the three day card. All travelcards allow you to travel on the buses too.

   If you are going to be travelling to one of the airports on one of the three days, then tell the ticket office when you buy your tickets - it is easier to buy the right one at the start than it is to change the ticket later.

   Most importantly, don’t be afraid to discuss your travel plans for your trip with the clerk in the ticket office, we’d much rather sell you the right ticket to start with!