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London

Why is buying a tube ticket so complicated?!

26 replies

RicottaPancakes · 05/03/2018 22:30

We don't live in London but we will be going there to go to some museums in a few weeks time. We normally go by train, but train tickets are so expensive we thought we'd drive to the nearest tube station and park there. I went on the London Transport website to see how much a travelcard would be and they've made it really complicated!

It seems that they really want you to use contactless or buy an Oyster card. I don't want to have to pay £5 for an Oyster card. I don't have contactless. I could buy a paper travelcard, but they are twice as much as I would pay for my journey if I had an Oyster card (not counting the cost of actually buying the Oyster card).

As far as I understand if your children are over 11 they need a photo Oyster card. But they need to be ordered in advance. Can you not just buy tickets for children at a tube station anymore?

Am I missing something? Why is it so complicated? Feeling quite confused....

OP posts:

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PurpleWithRed · 05/03/2018 22:35

You get the oyster card £5 back when you hand it back in.

BibiThree · 05/03/2018 22:36

If you're just visiting, you can get your child (over 11) a regular Oyster card and ask for the young person discount to be applied at any tube station. I did this last week. We've had our visitor Oyster cards for years and once topped up the money doesn't expire.

Winterfellismyhome · 05/03/2018 22:36

You can buy child tickets on the machines. They're half the price of adult ones but still extortionate. Tfl want to encourage people to use cards so thats why thats the cheapest option

BibiThree · 05/03/2018 22:37

Dd used my husband's card, and I think once applied the discount lasts for 2 weeks.

RicottaPancakes · 05/03/2018 22:46

Thanks everyone. PurplewithRed thanks, I didn't realise that you get the £5 back. Perhaps I should just buy some Oyster cards then.

Can you buy them at a tube station?

It was much easier in the olden days (feeling grumpy).

OP posts:

Winterfellismyhome · 05/03/2018 22:48

You need to wait 48 hours before you can refund oyster cards at the station otherwise its done online

BackforGood · 05/03/2018 23:02

Can I ask a question please?

If you do have contactless, does it make the tube cheaper / more expensive ? (this is just for 2 x adults)

RicottaPancakes · 05/03/2018 23:16

Well, as far as I understand, although I could be wrong, contactless and Oyster is the same price and has a daily cap. But paper travelcards are about double the price. But I'd have a look at their website if I were you, it does seem to depend on which zone you go from/too as well and whether you use the DLR etc........

OP posts:

eurochick · 06/03/2018 06:47

Backforgood contactless should give you the lowest available fare.

MarthasGinYard · 06/03/2018 07:05

Go contactless and just zap it's capped and so easy.

Tigresswoods · 06/03/2018 07:08

If you're just travelling from one tube station to another & back again just buy 2 singles on the day.

mysteryfairy · 06/03/2018 07:17

As you have a few weeks ask your bank to reissue your debit card as contactless. Get any other adults to do the same.

For DC ask around as many people will have an Oyster card shoved in a drawer which they will lend to you for the duration. Top up at the machine and get a TFL staff member to change the settings on the card so that it charges child fare for the duration of the visit.

BackforGood · 06/03/2018 21:36

Thanks all - yes, we will be getting train into Euston and need to get to Green Park, apparently, then back to Euston and home again.

sorry for hijack Ricotta

Wings13 · 06/03/2018 21:39

Reading with interest as going to London this summer. What about children under 11? Do they travel free with an adult who has an oyster?

PestoSurfissimos · 06/03/2018 21:43

Or if you have an I-phone you can use Apple Pay. Just tap yr phone at the start of each tube journey.

RicottaPancakes · 06/03/2018 22:02

Oh no I don't have contactless, or want contactless. Neither do I have an I-phone. I think we'll just get Oyster cards. I am still annoyed that you have to do this and that paper tickets are so much more expensive!

Wings13 as far as I understand children under 11 don't need their own card, they travel free with an adult. Although in place on their website it says that if your child looks older than 11 they should have their own photo card. It's a bit confusing.

OP posts:

MarthasGinYard · 06/03/2018 23:23

I thought all debit cards were contactless now

DinahMo · 06/03/2018 23:34

Seriously just get contactless, on at least one card, or Apple Pay/equivalent on your phone. It makes life so much easier, for everyone, and cheaper. I understand the individual paper tickets costing more, because they cost more to administer! (Paper, maintaining machines etc). If you want the more expensive option, expect to pay for it.

(Disclaimer: Londoner, and several glasses of Chardonnay down on a bad night).

wheresmyphone · 06/03/2018 23:42

Have never seen a photo Oyster card. Last time I was there found a friendly guard who took me to the machine and got me and three kids kitted out in no time. For the record I used to live in London for 20 years but I go back and I feel so old and out of touch!!!!

rose69 · 07/03/2018 07:57

Backforgood it may be cheaper for you to buy a combined rail and tube ticket. Op if you are going to come back to London another year but the bullet and buy an Oyster card so that you can use it again.
The zip cards for children over 11 can be ordered on line if you have a passport for them. Children under 11 walk though with adults. Enjoy your visit.

CrabappleBiscuit · 07/03/2018 08:12

If you were training to London the tube fair is really cheap and you get a paper ticket.

CrabappleBiscuit · 07/03/2018 08:13

We got on the Gatwick express foe free basically from Cambridge with a paper ticket all the way through. Four of us for £90 ish.

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BackforGood · 07/03/2018 22:19

Backforgood it may be cheaper for you to buy a combined rail and tube ticket

Oh! Should I search from my local station to the tube station I need then ?
sorry, so ignorant. I assumed the tube would be a completely separate thing from a train.
Have even been wondering if it might make sense to drive nearer to London and get a train from somewhere nearer. How do I find out about where the congestion charge starts. Or has anyone got any suggestions (would be coming down from Midlands)

IrregularCommentary · 07/03/2018 22:29

Backforgood I'm Midlands and always drive down to either Stanmore (can't remember line, sorry) or East Finchley (Northern line) tube station (both just off the M1) and park there. Cheap parking and then you're in zone 3 for the tube already. Makes life so much easier.

MrsPnut · 07/03/2018 22:33

I usually drive to Watford Junction and you can get a family travel card for all of you. We paid £18.75 for one adult and two children during feb half term which got us to London, around for the day and back to Watford.

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