oyster card

xueta

jordylass wrote:

Hi Laney, I am taking my children next week for a couple of days, and having looked at all the options the Oyster card is the best option. I wasn't sure at first until I read that it worked out if a travelcard would have been cheaper for that day and then only deducts that amount from the card. Children travel free on the buses and you can buy a childs travel card for £1 per day each (for up to 4 children I think) for all of their tube journeys, there are also lots of discounts into attractions, eating and shows with the Oyster card. Hope you enjoy it, i am so excited, now wish i'd booked a couple of extra days.

But if you are only going to be in London for a weekend, be careful you don't buy more credit than you are likely to use!

jordylass

I'm only there 2.5 days, and have put £10 figuring it would have been nearly £15 for 3 days of off peak travel. If I need to top it up can it be done in the station station or do I have to do it online?

suki1964

You can top up at the station. Theres a machine that you have to touch your card to for the top up to register so even if you done it online you still have to find a machine. Newsagents that sell travel cards can also take top ups

Fossil_2

xueta wrote:

But if you are only going to be in London for a weekend, be careful you don't buy more credit than you are likely to use!

Don't they refund you the money you haven't used when you return your pre-pay (oops, pay as you go go go) Oyster Card? I think I read it *somewhere*

laney66

Can someone correct me if I am wrong, but cant you only buy the £1 child travelcard if you have bought an adult one, rather than an Oyster card?

jordylass

I phoned TFL and they said i could get it with oyster as well.

laney66

jordylass wrote:

I phoned TFL and they said i could get it with oyster as well.

Thanks. If thats the case I will probably do the same. However I will probably use the tube more than the bus. Would this make any difference cost wise?

jordylass

The bus is free for Children under 16, for the tube you will need the travel card.

isasmurf

To clarify the free Bus travel.

The bus is free for children Under 14. Children aged 14 or 15 need an Oyster photocard to qualify for free travel on Buses. Some drivers may challenge Under 14s if they look 14 or over. A Child Oyster Photocard costs £5 and should be applied for at least one month before visiting London.

isasmurf

laney66 wrote:

Can someone correct me if I am wrong, but cant you only buy the £1 child travelcard if you have bought an adult one, rather than an Oyster card?

to which the reply was

jordylass wrote:

I phoned TFL and they said i could get it with oyster as well.

I think what TFL meant was that you can purchase a child travelcard for £1, if you hold a travelcard on Oyster. I don't think you can purchase one if you use Oyster for pay-as-you-go, and you can't hold a one or 3 day travelcards on Oyster.