Travelling around London

[FesteringCarbuncle]

I am taking DC to London
SN but no mobility issues but can be challenging. I've had some tough times with travel and I'm wary about managing London
If I appear to not know my way around DC gets very stressed which can result in meltdowns
So I want to be prepared. I understand we can use contactless on buses and tubes? I think we need to use buses more as I'm not sure how they would cope with a busy tube
Do you just scan the card on the bus or tube station and is that the cheapest way to travel?
DC is 12 can anyone recommend must do attractions

Yes Re: paying for travel, just tap your contactless card against card readers every time you board a bus, and as you enter and exit Tube barriers.
Highly recommend the Citymapper app which tells you real-time how far away the next bus is amongst other genius things. Good luck!

Thanks. I will download the app
Can I check, do you only scan the card getting onto a bus and not when you get off?

Yes, on buses just tap the card when you get on - you don't do it when you get off. The bus fare is a fixed rate whether you're going only a few stops or the entire length of the route!!

There was a thread the other day that said you can't use contactless for more than one person at a time, might be worth checking if DC needs a children's Oyster card.

How old is DC? If they’re over 11 then you’ll need to pay for them as well which is a bit more fiddly.

I second CityMapper. It makes London buses so much easier.

Children's Oyster card info here tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s

What sort of things does your DC like so we can recommend some attractions?

Megabus do a really cheap city tour. You do have to pre-book though.

you will need to get a zip card for the kid which looks a fair faff, apply online. this will get free travel. or you can get a discount set on an adult oyster if you have one.

DC is 12
Wants to go to the dungeon and would probably like a river trip
If I had 2 contactless cards would that be easier/cheaper than buying a travel card

You can just get an oyster and have a staff member apply a visitor discount for your DC to get half fares.

Download the citymapper app. Its so good and I now use buses. I never used to as I never knew where they stopped. It should act as confidence for you and for your son as you can also track when to get off. And if you forget to watch it, it buzzes your phone as well.

Yes get an oyster card and ask TFL staff to add a young visitor discount to it. Your child will then travel for half fare. The card is £5 deposit but you get it back if you return the card.