London transport- help a Northerner out

[Curveygirl]

Hi, about ten years ago we had a break in London and used the trains/ underground to get around. We soon found out that we should have used oyster cards and because we didn't we paid more.

Is this still a thing please? If it is can someone explain it to me like i'm ten years old please? Can we not just use debit cards and if we can how does that work please with two teenagers who will be paid for by us? One of the teens doesn't have their own card and is disabled so we wouldn't be able to transfer money to him.

I'd really appreciate some help please, i've no idea about this. I'm from a "proper" Northern town.

Thank you both very much 💐

Ensure you tap out as well as in on the Tube/Overground/train. On buses tap in only.

As pp have said, you can look for step-free access on the Tube - there’s a dedicated map showing where ramps are, if that’s what your child needs.

Service buses can be a nice way of sightseeing while getting from A to B and cheaper than the hop on/off buses - ask the driver when boarding for the ramp and tell them your destination so they can deploy it without you having to go up to the cab and ask.

Don’t be alarmed if the doors close - the driver isn’t ignoring you, it’s a safety measure designed to stop people boarding/alighting while the ramp is being deployed. Once deployed, the doors will open. I’ve seen tourists get quite upset and shout at the driver until they realise what’s happening.

@Curveygirl I would also recommend you check the underground stations for access regarding disability. Some stations are very old and only have stairs. There should be a symbol on the maps telling you. Have a great time.

There is masses of info about accessing the tower for disabled users. They can show you step free access and discounts for carers. If your google search does not answer all of your questions telephone the customer service department for clarification. They are really helpful. Once you get there you will find lots of volunteers and the Beefeaters kind and helpful

The Tower is massively busy so I would make a detailed plan before you visit. Checkout toilet location and where to eat. You will need a great deal of time and be prepared for long queues everywhere.

Hope you have a lovely day. If you want to find spacious eating places, cross Tower Bridge and eat alongside the river. My favourite is the Chop House.

Tower of London tickets are v expensive. If you or your DH have ever worked for the NHS or in education or government , you can get a Boundless Plus card which lasts a year and is cheaper than family entry to the tower. Boundless.co.uk

Amazing, thank you all for your help.

You can do it all on Google maps too
Android phones have a tube journey planner, and there's Trainline for normal trains
Use your debit card and it will cap at a day's rate, one card per person.

I use the Station Master app https://www.stationmasterapp.com

It’s really good at telling you about each station e.g. number of steps, where the lifts are.

From memory Tower Hill station has two entrances/Exits and one has a lot of steps.

It’s a bit more expensive but I’d get the boat from the London Eye pier to Tower Pier if the timings work out - much better in terms of steps and additional sightseeing along the way.

Also, if you use the buses, you will need a card each to tap on with.

Buses from Chessington to Surbiton (train to Hampton Court) and Kingston Upon Thames (lots of nice eateries).

Hi everyone, if walking from Waterloo to tol would you advise union st or southwark st please? Is either better for sight seeing or safer?

I’d walk along the river and cross at Tower Bridge - might be slightly further, but much better for views / sightseeing.

Thank you, this was the ideak but when i put it into citymapper it didn't give it me as an option. Is it an easy walk in terms of easy to follow and not many roads to cross please?

Yes, very easy. Get Citymapper to show you Waterloo to Southbank (the way I tend to go has one road to cross, with traffic lights, then it’s literally just a footpath.

Amazing, thank you. Will that footpath take us all the way to towerbridge please?

Is it an easy walk in terms of easy to follow and not many roads to cross please?

Most of it is the path along the riverside; just keep the river on your left. There is no traffic, other than cyclists. If you saw the queue for the late Queen's lying in state, that is the route. Views across to St Paul's, and you go past the Globe Theatre. It's a very pleasant walk, assuming weather is OK, I've done it quite often.

Uber riverbus is a good suggestion, though.

Will that footpath take us all the way to towerbridge please?

Yes.

Get on Google Street View and you can follow the path.

Thank you very much. I'm grateful for the help.

fellow northerner here.

Rather than a zip oyster which is complicated to get you can get a visitor Oyster card & put a child discount on it. However I only found that worth it if staying for several days. For a day trip I always bought a child day travelcard.

Haha now you've really confused me. I'd just got it in my head that we would just use contactless and tap in and out on the train.

Absolutely use contactless for those who have debit cards.

Contactless or if iPhone Apple Pay. But the other day I’d travelled a lot and it wouldn’t let me out at Liverpool Street tube, so lucky I had my debit card on me.

Thank you.

https://www.cntraveller.com/article/the-best-accessible-things-to-do-in-london