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London Travelcard
Public Transport Pass For 1, 7 Days Or Much Longer On Buses & Trains




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The London Travelcard is the original pass for public transport in London. The Travelcard is easy to purchase and as well as saving money will also save a lot of time obtaining tickets individually.
In 2003, the Oyster Card alternative was introduced. Most Londoners will have an Oyster Card for their transport needs. However, for many short term visitors to London the Travelcard still finds favour. Unlike the Oyster Card you do not need to make a deposit and for those with children they offer a work around for photocards required for discount travel. Travelcards also potentially offer access to significant discounts on London's major attractions.

The Travelcard pass covers :

- The entire London Underground network.
- The entire London bus network.
- The overland rail network
- Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
- 33% discount on river services

London Travelcard Planner

Underground
Map


Central London
Bus Map
(PDF)


Tourist Bus Map With Main Sights & Bus Routes

Zones
The London public transport system is divided up into zones that radiate from the centre. Nearly all the hotels and the main sights are in Zone 1.
The more zones you travel, or the more zones that your pass covers the more you pay. For most visitors they only require a pass that covers Zone 1, the central area.
If you need to make the odd journey out of the central area, say Heathrow in Zone 6, its much cheaper to purchase a travel pass for zone 1, and purchase what is called an extension fare for zones 2 to 6 than purchase a travel pass outright for zone 1 to 6.
Rail & Underground Zonal Map

London
Public Transport
Buses
Underground
Railways
River
Transport Maps
Travel Passes
Travelcard
Oyster Cards
Oyster Card or Travelcard ?
How To Purchase
Purchase cards from underground stations and tourist information centres. There are also countless other ticketing outlets with a prominent sign in their window, commonly newsagents.

If you are buying a 7 day or longer Travelcard you will receive the Travelcard in the form of an Oyster Card.
If you purchase from a railway ticket office (not underground), you still get a paper 7 day Travelcard that entitles you to substantial discounts on many of London's main attractions. (See 2 for 1 Offers with Travelcard).

If you are travelling into London by rail on a day return ticket you can usually purchase a combined rail ticket and zone 1/2 Travelcard.

Note you can purchase extension fares that work with your Travelcard. If say you want to travel from Heathrow in zone 6 to your hotel and spend the rest of your stay in the central area. Its much cheaper to purchase a zone 1/2 Travelcard purchasing extension fares where needed, than a zone 1/6 Travelcard just to cover one or two journeys.
How To Use
For most buses just show the driver your Travelcard as you board. For the long "bendy" buses with 3 entrances just board at any entrance.

For the Underground and DLR to gain access to the platforms, and to exit a station you have to pass through automatic barriers, (pictured left).
You are allowed through by inserting your Travelcard ticket into a slot in the barrier, or if you have an Oyster Card swiping it over the yellow pad.
All Underground trains run at about 1-4 minute intervals between around 05:00 and 24:00.

London Travelcard Fares 2010

The London Travelcard was the original London public transport pass where you pay a flat fixed fee for unlimited travel in the time period purchased. You throw away the Travelcard when you have finished with it. (Note Travelcards cover calendar days, not periods of 24 hours)
In 2003, the Oyster Card was introduced. This is a smart card electronic device. The Oyster Card is very flexible. Oyster Card tracks your journeys and deducts a discounted fare from the amount loaded on your Oyster Card. There is a daily cap on the amount that can be deducted, the same amount as a Travelcard. Nearly all Londoners have Oyster Cards.

We have a dedicated page addressing the Oyster Card v Travelcard what is best for you debate. For short term visitors to London, the Travelcard can still often be the optimum solution, especially if you have children under 16.

Most visitors will only need Zones 1/2 where all the attractions and hotels are. (Heathrow Airport though is in Zone 6)

London Travelcard Prices (from 2 Jan 2010 )
Zones
1 Day
1 Day
(Off Peak*)
7 Days
1 Month
1 Year
1-2
£7.20
(£3.60)
£5.60
(£2.00)
£25.80
(£12.90)
£99.10
(£49.60)
£1032
1-4
£10.00
(£5.00)
£6.30
(£2.00)
£36.80
(£18.40)
£141.40
(£70.70)
£1472
1-6
£14.80
(£7.40)
£7.50
(£2.00)
£47.60
(£23.80)
£182.80
(£91.40)
£1904
* Off peak = after 09:30 Monday to Friday, all day Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
(£?.??) =
Child under 16 years old fare. (Free travel available, see child fares)

Advance Purchase Of Travelcards From Outside London
There are countless outlets in London where you can purchase Travelcards. For visitors, the ticket office of any Underground station will quickly sell you a card (credit cards accepted) with no hassle.
You can order your Travelcard online and have it sent to your home address. There is of course an administration and shipping fee in addition to the cost of the Travelcard.
Online Travelcard Shop

1 Day Group Travelcard Prices (from 2 Jan 2010 )
Zones
Adult

Child
Under 18

For groups of 10 or more fare-paying passengers travelling together on the Tube, DLR and/or London Overground.
1-6
£3.70
£1.00

Children's Fares (Children Less than 16 Years Old)

Free Travel For Children On Buses & Underground And The Need For Photocards

Under-5s
Children under five can travel free at any time on the Tube, DLR, buses and trams as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Children in this category do not need Photocards.

Children 5-10
Under-11s can travel free at any time on buses and trams without the need for a Photocard.
They can also travel free at any time on the Tube and DLR when they are travelling with an adult who has a valid ticket. Up to 4 children under 11 years old accompanied by a paying adult travel free on the London Underground.
Under-11s travelling with an adult will not be issued with tickets but will be allowed to pass through the ticket gates at stations. Again no Photocard is required for children travelling with adults.
Unaccompanied children between 5 and 10 must have a valid Photocard.

11-15s
Children aged 11 to 15 years can get an 11-15 Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams and at child-rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services.

Obtaining a Photocard
Visitors to London can order a Photocard in advance for their children and collect on arrival.
Note you must apply at least three weeks in advance of your visit.
Advance application for Child Photocard

Child Discounts Without Photocards
Child Travelcards
For visitors with accompanied children of 11-15 years old you can avoid the whole photocard issue by simply purchasing a child 1 Day Travelcard. You need a photocard for childrens 7 day Travelcards


Underground Child Fares
There is a cash child flat fare of £2 per journey (zones 1 to 4) on the London Underground, No Photocard is required.


2 For 1 Offers With Cards Purchased From Railway Stations
If you purchase a Travelcard from a railway station, (not DLR or London Underground) you qualify for a wide range of 2 for 1 offers including many of the main tourist attractions in London. Offers include 2 for 1 admission to the Tower of London and the Hop on, Hop Off buses for example
Important: To take advantage of these offers you need to download vouchers from the web site (link below) and you need to purchase your Travelcard from a rail station ticket office (not London Underground or DLR railway) and receive a card Travelcard.
Travelcards issued from other outlets are not valid.
Travelcard 2 For 1 Offers