Can someone explain London train tickets to me please?

[BelfastSmile]

We (me, DH, DC aged 9 & 7) are going to London in July, and we're trying to figure out how to get around.

We'll probably use the underground most days; on one day we're going to Legoland, so I think we get the underground to one of the bigger stations and then get a regular train the rest of the way.

What's the best way to buy tickets for our travels? Is there any kind of family weekly ticket for the tube? Or is it just as handy to pay as we go? Do they take cards at the barriers or anything like that?

Oh, awesome, thanks! And is that part of the same cap as the tube? So if we've reached our tube cap it won't charge us?

Sorry for all the questions, it's very confusing- last time I was in London you just bought a single or return ticket at a machine and went on your way!

I think it basically ensures that you pay the cheapest possible fare if you use contactless. Ask at a ticket office when you arrive though because when travelling outside London (Windsor and Luton) you may have to buy an adult ticket in order to get a cheap child ticket. I have an oyster zip for my teen dd but not for my 9yo son so I generally buy an adult return and a 2quid ticket for him (I'm not too far from luton). The TFL info is so confusing on this, I agree!!!

Going to London next week and clueless! What age are kids free on the tube up to?

@MrsTaytodarling free up to age 11.

From Walthamstow Central I’d take the Victoria line to Vauxhall, just check the Windsor and Eton Riverside trains stop there but it’s on the line from Waterloo to Windsor.

I would also consider buying a family and friends railcard if you have one already, which will get you a third off off-peak rail travel when travelling with at least one child. If you make more than a couple of rail journeys each year the discounts can really stack up. Not sure if you’re U.K. based but have a look online at the pricing difference and see if it’s worth it.

Thanks. We're from NI and I don't think the railcard can be used here (even if it could, we never really get trains) so I'm not sure that would work out, but thanks for the tip!

One more question, for anyone who's familiar with the Walthamstow area... I've been planning everything based on is being close to Walthamstow Central station, but looking again at our accommodation it's actually closer to Wood Street, which appears to be overground.

Mostly it's fine; we'll walk to Walthamstow Central, but the day we arrive we'll have a lot of bags and things, so wondered what's involved in getting a train from WC to WS. It's only 1 stop, but is it different because it's overground?

I've already planned our route from the airport, and changing it to end up in WS looks very complicated!

I've looked on the Citimapper app and the exchange at WC to WS says 'change platform' and takes 2 mins. That's a good app to download if you haven't already.

Double check about tickets at Luton because I got a big fine for dozily trying to tap in/out with my card a couple of years ago. They may have changed it now but definitely check.

@BelfastSmile London Overground is part of the TfL network, so changing at Walthamstow Central to get the overground to Wood Street is the same as if you were changing tube lines at any other tube station.
So whatever you are using to get to WC (contactless? travelcard?) will cover you to Wood Street as well.

Great, thanks! Will check payments etc.

Another question (this is so complicated!) - to get to Legoland (Windsor) I'm trying to book tickets on the trainline website. The cheapest seems to be an open return, but when I try to book that for 2 adults and 2 children, it comes up on the confirmation as 3 adults and 1 child. Is that ok? I tried a few times and every time it changed it to 3 adults instead of 2, and 1 child instead of 2.

Yes, when we buy tickets to London the ticket office gives us 3 adults and 1 child instead of 2 adults, 2 children. It's because of GroupSave discount which gives you 1/3 off the price when a group of 3 to 9 adults travel together at off-peak times. So it actually works out cheaper than 2 adults, 2 children but you must travel together.

Great, thanks! So they're not going to complain that we don't have enough adults?

No, they aren’t going to care, it’s fine.

Have you planned how you are going to get from Windsor to Legoland?

That's going to be my next question - I keep reading that there's a shuttle bus, but I can't find any info on it.

This might help - looks as though there are a couple of buses

https://www.gwr.com/your-tickets/ways-to-save/offers/legoland