London- Oyster card or travelcard ???

gazpacho_uk

we are a family of four (kids aged 8 and 11) and will be in london from 04 June to 06 June. I know the buses are cheaper, but the kids really want to use the tube so should we buy:

A = a three day travel card each (i believe the youngest travels free)

B = a 1 day and a two day travel card each (i have been told this could be cheaper than the 3 day cards)

C = An "Oyster card" which I dont really know anything about

Nay help will be much appreciated,

cheers

John

alanrowell

1) 3 day cards only come in an all day travel version - 3 off peak 1 day cards work out cheaper. Children can get a 1 day card for £1

2) no such thing as a 2 day travelcard

3) Oystercard is an electronic means for holding money (PAYG) for travel or travelcards. You can't use it for Travelcards under 7 days.
Using the Oystercard under PAYG is cheaper than a one day Travelcard as the MAXIMUM you can spend is 50p less per day than the one day Travelcard.
There is a refundable £3 deposit and it means you can't use the offers on https://www.2for1entry.co.uk which are restricted to holders of train tickets & travelcards only. For children get the £1 daily travelcard

gazpacho_uk

Oystercard looks confusing (maybe just me on info overload) I think we will go for the three 1 day off peak travelcards

cheers Alan

oramgepekoe

As you said in your first post, your youngest will be free. However he/she won't be given a ticket so at every tube entry and exit you'll have to look for a member of staff to open a gate for them to pass through.

gazpacho_uk

oramgepekoe wrote: »

As you said in your first post, your youngest will be free. However he/she won't be given a ticket so at every tube entry and exit you'll have to look for a member of staff to open a gate for them to pass through.

I didnt realise it was a case of finding a gate with an employee stood by ......... maybe its worth the £1 a day to get a ticket !!!! thanx Oramgepkoe

dzug

gazpacho_uk wrote: »

I didnt realise it was a case of finding a gate with an employee stood by ......... maybe its worth the £1 a day to get a ticket !!!! thanx Oramgepkoe

It shouldn't be difficult to find such a gate - if the barriers are in operation it's obligatory to have an emergency (manned) exit. If they are out of operation you can just walk through anyway.