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Old 04-03-2008, 03:19 PM   #1
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Default Transportation in London

I've heard that the best way to get around London is the underground so what kind of pass should I get? I also want to take a trip to Stonehenge. What is the best way to travel in the London and surrounding area for about 3 days?
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Old 04-03-2008, 03:43 PM   #2
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I dont know about getting to Stonehenge but for London I would go with the Oyster Card. Its a little smart card you can buy at any station and you put some money on it. I forget the exact math but I think it pays for itself if you take at least 3 Tube trips a day of even the shortest length. Basically it hits a point and stops charging you. There are other threads on here - search for "Oyster" that talk about it. And here is the official website - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/2732.aspx
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Old 04-03-2008, 04:53 PM   #3
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Definitely get an oyster card. It costs you something like 4 quid but you can get a refund of that at the end of your trip.

I did a day trip in Scotland with www.haggisadventures.com which was excellent. They also do London tours including stonehenge. I think it was around 40quid. Might be something to look into.
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Old 04-04-2008, 06:35 AM   #4
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I wrote a bit about the oyster card here. By far the cheapest and easiest way to get around. The card is smart so instead of buying that day pass and not knowing if it was the best move or not (I think after two full fare trips by tube it is) you can just slide your oyster card and if you ever use enough 1,50 GBP segments to put you at the cost of a day pass, suddenly your oyster card became a day pass.

You really can't beat it! Plus how awesome of a souvenir is that? Who needs another overpriced union jack tophat?

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Old 04-04-2008, 06:50 AM   #5
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Quote:
Who needs another overpriced union jack tophat?
No way, I'm going for the full bearskin Beefeater hat! (anyone know what thats called?)
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Old 04-04-2008, 06:50 AM   #6
 
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I want a union jack top hat!!!
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Old 04-04-2008, 11:50 AM   #7
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You only said your going to be traveling for three days, so this might be helpful you and for others who plan on staying longer. They offer a 1, 3, and 7 day unlimited travel card for the interior travel zones in London for a pretty good deal. I don't know the price now, but when i bought one in '06 the 1 week card cost me about $27. It was good deal because i was using the tube probably about 8-10 times a day. This would probably only save you money over the oyster card if you plan on doing a lot of intercity traveling.
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Old 04-05-2008, 03:06 PM   #8
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oyster card will be your cheapest bet - travel cards have been phased out and now the cheapest option is the oyster. can still buy a travelcard but its cheaper on oyster...when you buy it just go to any tube station (heathrow, or when you arrive in london from another airport) go to the ticket counter and ask for one.

it will cost you £3, and dont register it because a. you wont be there long and b.they use registered oysters as a way of tracking people

for 3 days, using the tube and bus a lot, id say put £15 on it to be safe, theres nothing worse then getting caught short 15 wont last you three days but it might if you dont travel a lot.

hastings, you can get there return on the train from victoria, charing X and paddington if i remember correctly, ive gotta go there soon so do you want me to link you to where i get my tickets from? or you can travel on coach. this is independant travel BTW - if you want to go on a tour, id be sure to google one and book before you come if your coming during summer as tours get damn busy! but wont be too much, £40 upwards for the day :D
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Old 04-07-2008, 08:23 AM   #9
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aww cool, i didn't know the travel cards were being phased. Last time i was there, the 1 week card was a great deal for how much i was using the transport around town.
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Old 04-07-2008, 09:54 AM   #10
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haha you can still get them but they have made it so an oyster is cheaper than a travelcard or any other method (appart from bunking!)

even if your in london for 3 days the oyster will save you money. youve made your cash back on it by the time you catch three buses!

travelcards are good for a day, weekly ones are too but oyster is a little cheaper from what i understand. they want to monitor you and see where youre going, if your not into survailence dont register your oyster, of course this means if its lost/stolen theres no way to track it, but i never put more than £20 on it so its not a problem
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Old 04-07-2008, 08:13 PM   #11
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Awesome! Thanks for the info!
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Old 04-08-2008, 02:58 AM   #12
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For Stonehenge, I just took a Britrail train out there and did an overnight in a hostel in Salisbury. If you're strapped for time, though, maybe an arranged tour will be better, like others suggested...

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Old 04-08-2008, 07:01 AM   #13
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Yeah I checked the Stonehenge
website and they have suggestions for the best ways to get there using train or bus. The visitor section is really helpful with rates and hours and even some suggestions for places to stay.

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Old 04-09-2008, 03:31 PM   #14
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stonehenge is beautiful
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