Visitor Oyster card question/general London tips

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Off to London on Monday for 3 nights and planning on getting a visitor Oyster card. I was just wondering if its easy to check your balance? Lived in London years ago pre Oyster cards so only ever used travel cards before. I know how busy the ticker barriers can be and don't want to be in the position where we're rushing to get ourselves and 2 kids on a train only to find we've run out of credit when we get to the barrier.

Also, any advice on cheap eats with kids? Planning on going to Giraffe on first night but no firm ideas on other nights although hope to spend a day visiting South Kensington for museums and Aunty-visiting, so anywhere suitable round there would be good.

Thanks.

Very easy to check oyster balance - any ticket machine at stations and even in shops displaying the oyster symbol (usually newsagents).

Oyster have an iPhone app now - if you register your card you can check your balance using that, or the Internet.

Alternatively - most newsagents, tube stations and most bus stops in Central London.

You will see the amount flash up on entry/exit of most stations and on entry for buses, but can check at any ticket machine with a yellow pad, or a newdagent that does Oyster.

Also you will be let in as long as there's enough for a journey, about 80p, and then can go into negative value on exit - then need to recharge before entry. Finding they need more credit happens to someone every couple minutes at most stations!

You will see the amount flash up on entry/exit of most stations and on entry for buses, but can check at any ticket machine with a yellow pad, or a newdagent that does Oyster.

Also you will be let in as long as there's enough for a journey, about 80p, and then can go into negative value on exit - then need to recharge before entry. Finding they need more credit happens to someone every couple minutes at most stations!

For museums, maybe get picnic from supermarket or shop and then just have tea and cake in the museum cafe. The V&A one is stunning even if you don't go there otherwise. Lots of restaurants round Thurloe Place, lovely friendly Italian called Pierino.
Dim sum is great for cheap eats with kids - one by Prince Regent DLR if you go to Docklands, with view of planes landing at City Airport, Tuli near London Bridge and then could look round Borough Market and walk along to the South Bank, or Queensway or Chinatown.

Never try rushing for a tube with kids - there'll be another in a minute. Much less stressful.

Thank you all!

Notcitrus, re rushing for a train, I just meant when catching our mainline train back up north from Euston really - we always seem to be late getting on those for one reason or another! Will make sure I've checked our cards at a machine the night before.

Oh, and picnics a great idea - hadn't thought of that, ther'es usually places in museums where you can take your own lunch isn't 'there?