Buses in London

leemina

Hi

We (2 adults, 2 kids) are going to London next tuesday for three nights, arriving at london euston by train just after 1pm. We're stopping at the holiday inn kings cross/bloomsbury which i believe is a little way away from the main attractions, and we're thinking of catching buses to get around.
We intend on doing:

london eye
tower of london
dungeons
convent garden
hamleys/ripleys

and are catching two shows.

The problem is that we have no idea what buses to catch and what routes, i've had a look at the tfl website but im still confused. Last time we went we did the original sightseeing bus but it would cost us £65 to do it this way (too much). How can we get around cheaper, we've ruled out the tube as me and my son get really claustrophobic.
Any help would be appreciated.

thanks

discplayer

Hi. You'll have a great trip.

When you get to Euston go to TfL's travel info kiosk on the main concourse. Talk with them about your plans, get a bus map.
Bus stops have little maps showing where that stop's buses go and often also a list of destinations and which bus and nearby stop to use for that destination.

You don't mention an itinerary so we don't know you're starting point for each of these destinations. For example, if heading the the Eye from the hotel I'd walk south to near Chancery Lane tube for a 521 or west over to Tavistock Sq for a 59 or 68. All go to or past Waterloo, near the Eye. The latter two go along Kingsway which is an easy walk to Covent Garden.

Would your son find the shallow tube lines a problem? The Circle, District, Ham & city and Met lines are less cramped but will only help your plans in a limited way - edit - except for hotel to Tower Hill on the Circle from Kings X.

dacouch

Try the route finder here, unclick the tubes, dlr, rail etc and it will just provide you with bus routes

McKneff

If you are going by train there are lots of 2 4 1 offers in London

leemina

Thanks for the info guys. We are travelling by train with the tickets having that little national rail sign on, the tickets have the start date on till 3 days later date, does that mean we can get the 241 offers??

flyingscotno1

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/busdiagrams.asp?borough=CTY has maps. Down the bottom you'll see area PDF maps of Central/South London etc. This link http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/central-london-bus-map.pdf is central London bus map in PDF. I printed it on A3 at work, but you're best picking one up as it is still small. You can also use journey planner (and it is usually on phones) for buses only. I used the buses last time I was in London as a tourist as it is good to see around and cheaper than the sightseeing ones. Two routemaster routes get to most sites H9 and H15 I think and they cross the Centre from Albert Hall to Tower Bridge split at Trafalger Square.

dzug1

leemina wrote: »

Thanks for the info guys. We are travelling by train with the tickets having that little national rail sign on, the tickets have the start date on till 3 days later date, does that mean we can get the 241 offers??

Yes it does - as long as you hang onto the tickets and don't let them get collected.

How old are the kids? They may get free bus travel.

leemina

Hi

My boys are 12 and 10. We've been checking out the bus routes and they seem easy enough. I've heard about oyster cards but am unsure really about what they are and the price etc, anyone any advice on these, will they be worth it for us?

thanks

discplayer

Oyster's just a smart touch card to carry a ticket, it's not a ticket itself.

For example you could add credits for pay as you go use (from what you've said this sounds best for you) or load a bus pass on to it. See the tickets section of the TfL website for bus fares, including those Oyster pay as you go bus fares, or click the Oyster logo on the front page of the TfL site for general Oyster info.

I've not been here long enough to be allowed links in my messages!

lizzielondon

the rv1 bus goes from covent garden to the tower of london- crossing over both waterloo bridge and tower bridge with great views- i'll have a think about your other routes

have you thought about the clipper commuter boats? cheap approx £4 i think, much cheaper than the tourist boats and not busy during the day

lizzielondon

rv1 also goes near the dungeons (better attractions imho but if you've got young boys i expect the'll enjoy it)