London transport - what’s the best way to travel during a short break to London?

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DH and I are planning a short break in London to do all the touristy things we haven’t done for years. We are late sixties, no disabilities (thank goodness), but do have a card that allows free travel on local and some national buses, which we have used in other parts of the UK, but I don’t know if this is relevant to TfL. Not really expecting it is tbh, but just thought I mention it.
We are staying near Crystal Palace.
Would really welcome advice about the best way to get around, and easiest way to pay. Do we get Oyster cards before we go or when we get there? Or is there something else we need? I’ve looked on the TfL website but it’s not very clear, TIA

If you have a contactless card you can use it to touch in and out of the tube and it will take the lowest priced fare out of your account. I never take buses they are too confusing for me!

I think your pass should work in London. If it doesn't then you should get an oyster card, this allows you to travel on everything and you can top it up at the station. If your travelling from Crystal Palace then you can get one at the station. When you arrive you could just go and ask if you can use your pass and if not get an oyster card. I hope you have a lovely time.

We used buses when we visited and just payed with a contactless card, we also walked for miles!

Not worth getting an oyster card for a few days as you have to put a £5 deposit. Just use a contactless credit or debit card

Brilliant, thank you for your replies. Looking forward to being a tourist after decades of travelling to London several times a year for work and only ever seeing the inside of the tube or an office or meeting room.
Promise we will try not to walk slowly or hog the pavements and get in the way of the workers

if you do want to visit the busy places have a look at 2for1 site, you get offers when you buy a train ticket, also join Groupon and Wowcher before you go, there are some great offers there. Have a great time.

www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

Download citymapper.
Once you're central, walking is almost always the quickest way to get between places.
If your travelcard doesn't work use contactless rather than oyster.
Enjoy!

Your bus passes will work on buses but you’ll have to pay for the tube (as pp say, contactless is easiest for that). Pensioners resident in London get a Freedom Pass they can tap on the buses (and tube), but you’ll just need to show your pass to the driver. My parents always use their bus passes here, they are envious of the Freedom Pass!

The buses are very easy to use and nice because you can look around. They all have screens which show the name of the next stop and it gets automatically announced too. The bus stops all have very clear maps on showing all the stops in the area and which buses stop where - you can see which stop you are standing at by looking up at the top of the signpost next to it.

It'll take quite a while to get into central London on the bus from Crystal Palace. I'd get the train into Victoria and then use buses from there.

When I lived in London I much preferred traveling above ground on the buses than underground on the tube. It might take twice as long but some of the bus routes are like sightseeing tours as they take you past lots of the major sights.

Also wear good shoes and do lots of walking.

We went to London this summer and used the buses quite a bit as a) you see more and b) it’s a rest from the constant walking!

If you have a smart phone download google maps, a tube map and a bus app (I think mine is called Bus Mate) before you go. They should all be free.

The app called Bus Times is good on iPhone. Picks up where you are, shows all the surrounding stops, and when each bus will arrive.

My DPILs from the sticks always use their local bus passes when they visit us: it’s fine. But the bus is a long journey and tedious journey in from CrystalPalace so yes I’d take the into ?Victoria? and then buses from there.

The no3 bus from Crystal Palace is pretty good, but does take an hour into central London.

Best way to get central from Palace is to get 410 bus from station to Norwood junction station (depending how far you are from train station) - there’s a ten minute train into London Bridge. Crystal Palace trains are SLOW.

I always used to stick to the underground whenever I went to London because the map is so visual and I don't worry about getting lost.

Earlier this year I came across the tfl plan a journey website and it's brilliant. I put a shortcut on my phone so it feels like opening an app. Loads of useful info and it's given me the confidence to use buses as well as trains.

You can pay by tapping a contactless debit/credit card (you need 1 each or the barriers will get confused) or if you have something like Google pay or apple pay you can tap your phone.

I love using the buses now - my phone maps app has a Public Transport option for directions as well as walking / driving and it's such a good way to see so much more. It was really easy to find buses and routes and stops.

You can get a train from CP to London Bridge in around 20 mins. From London Bridge you can walk down the river to Westminster, get on a tube or get buses in most directions.

NB - on the bus tap 'in' only.
On the tube /train tap in and out.

Thanks to all the posters and for the links. Feeling much more confident now.

Use google maps on one of your phones and Apple Pay/contactless on all tubes. It’s so easy once you get going :)

UPDATE! Thanks for all the advice, it all worked well and we had a great time. Our local bus passes were accepted - just shown to the driver, and did the contactless for the trains.