Should I buy a London Travelcard or Oyster Card before arriving from overseas?

Question

My family and I are traveling to the UK in June. There seem to be a lot of options for as far as card types, and when to purchase. We need to take the underground from Heathrow to St. Pancras. We will be in London for about 5 days and plan on using the underground and buses to get around. Is the Travelcard the best option, or should we get the Oyster card? Should we buy the card prior to arriving, or after we get there?

Answer 1

Hi,



I would also recommend Oyster card. Here is more info about the Oyster card: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14825.aspx. If you are going to use tube and buses very often, add 7 day Travelcard to your Oyster. It costs £29.20 (Zones 1-2).



You can buy the Oyster card online here http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/oystercard/product/oyster-card.html (it will be delivered to your home country).



Living in London for more than 8 years please find some good tips regarding London public transport on my blog... http://www.mintytrips.co.uk/getting_around_london_using_public_transport.html



Enjoy London,



Jacob

Answer 2

If you can get your Oyster delivered to you before you go, it's one less thing to worry about isn't it. You can get it pre-loaded with credit so you simply get off your plane, head for the tube and off you go. When your card drops low then just top it up at any machine at any tube station or at any shop showing the Oyster logo (usually the small local newsagent types). They automatically cap themselves to the daily travelcard amount anyway so they never cost more than a travelcard. They are also much easier than the paper travelcard as you need to queue for a new one everyday wasting valuable time.

Answer 3

http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/



Oyster card recommended. Prior to arriving because the queue at Heathrow undergound station to get a family's cards will be long in the tourist season so , yes, pre-order them.

Answer 4

Definitely get the Oyster Card, so much less hassle.