Visiting London public transport - cheapest option

[Snappyteabread]

Visiting London for a week. My understand is children under 10 are free which is amazing. For adults Do most people get an Oyster Card/ do contactless or do they get a 7 day travel card? We will be travelling into Central London at least 5 days.

[EmpressLesbianInChair]

I'd recommend contactless (you'll need one card per person paying).

This TfL page might help: tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/getting-around-london/best-ways-for-visitors-to-pay.

[BringOnTheScience]

Another vote to use contactless cards. It automatically calculates the best rate for the travel you do each day.

[Snappyteabread]

Yes, thank you for the link. it seems it's more straightforward than I first thought. Only downside is it means taking my debit card out my purse as opposed to a loaded Oyster card or travel card. But should be ok. Think I'll be taking a very streamlined purse to London without carting around all the stuff I normally have in it. Thank you!

[Peony99]

Just use contactless. You'll never pay more than a one week travel card (If you reach the cost of the travel card, they stop charging) and it's far easier than paper tickets.

If you're on a budget, bus is cheeper than tube. Depending on the routes you use it can be great sightseeing too - I recommend the 15 route which goes past the Tower and Trafalgar Sq among much else, and sometimes has the vintage Routemasters on it.


Also don't forget that lots of places are really close together, so walking can be quicker(as well as cheeper) than public transport.

I know I sound like a trainspotter. I promise I'm not, I just ♥️London.

[EmpressLesbianInChair]

Also don't forget that lots of places are really close together, so walking can be quicker(as well as cheeper) than public transport.

This. Plus there are big maps all over the place so it’s really easy to check you’re going the right way.