best way to travel in london with familybest way to travel in london with family

Make sure to visit the Natural History Museum, one of the best museums to explore with children. For a quick bite, visit the Central Cafe which has a good range of sandwiches, salads, cakes and fruit. however tourists may not realize that they need to pay, since they wont receive any notice other than signs that are publicly posted. Her London itinerary includes a full, detailed agenda for maximizing London as a family. Londonis a frustrating mix of inconsistent user-friendliness for travelers with access needs. First, soak up some history with the Tower of London and a bus tour. I have to say that a lot of people will use the escalators with a buggy, but I would recommend that you use stations with lifts. You can NOT pay cash to ride a bus. If you have any questions, leave a comment and we will try to help you in less than 24 hours! Much has been done to encourage Londoners to get out of their cars and onto public transport (or on their bikes), and the same disincentives should keep you firmly off the road: the additional Congestion Charge (CC) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fees, extortionate parking costs, the high price of fuel, fiendishly-efficient traffic wardens, and ubiquitous CCTV cameras recording cars parked (even momentarily) on double yellow lines or not giving way when they should it's probably not worth it. The summer months are the warmest and driest, but its also the peak season. As youll leave the underground, make a stop at Kings Cross Platform 9 inside the train station. If your kids are standing on the left side of the escalator chatting, they are at risk of being run over by a busy Londoner who has somewhere VERY important to be. For a rental car youll be responsible for the charges but they may take several days or weeks before you receive any notice which could potentially result in very significant fees. This can be intimidating for a visitor who is not familiar with the map especially with kids in tow. To buy a 7-day child travelcard in London there are 3 options: 1 By adding a weekly travelcard into a zip oyster photocard. Youll want to book your tickets immediately after you read about these fabulous train trips across all corners of France. The Tube (the London Underground) is the quickest and easiest. One of the best things about the tube for families, is that kids under 10 are free! You can pay as you go using contactless (card or device), an Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card. London's ubiquitous red double-decker buses afford great views of the city, but be aware that the going can be slow, thanks to traffic jams and dozens of commuters getting on and off at every stop. Fares are off-peak. Must See. Shop for FamilyTravelMemorabiliaon Shop Families Love Travel. You only need to "touch in" at the start of your journey. And you may even need to know how to use Londons public transport with a buggy. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Help your travel services business jump to the head of the line online with a website address ending in the new .vacations domain. If you're taking a train beyond the zones, perhaps for a day trip to the coast or farther afield, you will need to buy a train ticket. They would be the equivalent of the Junior Ranger Booklets found in US National Parks. One thing to be aware of, is that the map is a marvel of graphic design, but as such doesnt necessarily represent the actual geographic alignment or orientation of stations relative to each other. Best case, you will want all day in Oxford and come back into London after an early dinner. Hi Anna, Hop on / Hop off Buses: These buses are another option that many tourists consider for getting around London. You could also walk to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and head to Hyde Park. Thanks for this useful info. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, we may earn a small commission atno additional costto you. In this case, Id recommend using a normal oyster card (adult rates) for anyone over 16. Visiting London with kids: all you need to know to plan a perfect A good car service will make sure that they track your flight, and they will have someone waiting inside the airport with a sign with your name on it, which is a welcomed convenience especially when arriving with kids and luggage off of a red eye! Plan a journey and favourite it for quick access in the future, Choose postcodes, stations and places for quick journey planning, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line (except West Drayton to Reading) stations, Over 3,700 local shops in London, known as Oyster ticket stops, Online before you arrive in London from the, At London Overground and Elizabeth line station ticket offices, Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and some National Rail services. Cycling is generally a great way to get around the city, although city traffic can be intimidating for less-confident cyclists it is important to keep your wits about you. . After your bus tour, visit the famous Hamleys Toy Shop with seven floors of toys, games and crafts. A one-day child travelcard will allow unlimited travel at any time of the day on any form of public transport in London for the chosen London Travel Zones. With two parents, we found that its usually easier to just carry a stroller up/down stairs, rather than have the kid get out. Not only does London have incredible outdoor spaces (parks, playgrounds, etc.) The District Lines at Earls Court are probably the best example of this, and youll see this on the Northern Line as well. Traveling in London as a family may seem overwhelming but is rather managable. Wheelchair users enter through the middle doors and have priority use of the wheelchair space over strollerusers. Next, kids will marvel at the amazing creatures at the London SeaLife Aquarium. Travel sites with .vacations domain extension take off. Theyll answer any question that you have about the area, and theyll take pride in their ability to do so. Their buses are beautifully decorated with big teddy bears. They are sold at most stations and many newsagents(5 charge) and follow the same "touch in, touch out" system. You can pay. This tranquil village offers some of the best views in the English countryside. The Overground is a train system, very similar to the Underground except for one key difference. If your kids still have energy and enjoy art, you could continue talking to the Tate Modern Art Gallery. that shows where the charge applies. Crowds / Pace. Spend your morning at Westminster Abbey. Children under the age of 11 travel free on Londons buses and trams, with or without an adult, at any time, and don't need a ticket. The Tower of London is an historic castle located on the north bank of the Thames River. First: its confusing. Can you guess what it is? Your email address will not be published. Some of families favorites are: You will most likely not have time to visit them all, but youll have plenty of options to choose from the day of, on either side of the Thames River. If you can, avoid coming to London during the months of July and August. There are so many awesome things to do around town that youll want to extend your stay. Or, if you want no walking, you can see cost estimates for Uber right from the app. London is not built on a grid (in fact, it often seems like the opposite of a grid whatever that is!). You can pay for your journey with a credit or debit card or cash. The oyster card can also be returned at the end of your trip, just like a normal oyster card. From here, head of St James Park. Those traveling for Wimbledon wont want to miss this blog. There are many museums that are free so you can try out many different places without feeling obliged to spend a certain amount of time to get your money's worth. If you decide to go on an afternoon tea bus tour, we recommend doing it with Brigits Bakery. This can be intimidating for a visitor who is not familiar with the map especially with kids in tow. In fact, we lived in London for two years, with three kids, and didnt own a car! 2 Days in London: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visitors) - Voyage Tips A few of these are day trips and a few require more than a day - you choose. This is probably the easiest way of getting one, as you dont need a zip oyster photocard, and theyll send it to your home address before you travel. If your child is 11-15 years old, you can ask a member of staff to set a Young Visitor discount on an Oyster or Visitor Oyster card. Just dip your (chip enabled) credit card into one of the machines and give it a try. Travel Moms gives you a number of great options to choose from! Still, you eventually learn how to get around and quickly learn how to read Londons accessibility maps and find the best routes. Maps, travel tips and more. =). Click here to find out more. Before traveling to London for a week, make sure you have a few things taken care of: Check the weather forecast and pack (but don't over pack) accordingly. 1. Several companies operate along the River Thames; only Uber Boat byThames Clippers really offers commuter services, however. Just be careful on the stairs, of course. Black Cabs, along with red busses, are iconic sights in London. What's the best way to explore a new city on the day you arrive? End your itinerary with a mix and match day where you get to choose your own adventure! Studio Tour London: The . How to do it: Tickets can be booked through Caledonian Sleeper, from 240 for a family of four. And try to arrive early in the morning. The local government does a lot to encourage use of public transport and to discourage private car use in the city. If someone tells you differently, theyre trying to sell you an international drivers license . You pay 7and then add pay as you go credit or a Travelcard to pay for your journeys. Great read, i am from northern england and will be using your advice when i take our family of 4 to our capital. It can be overwhelming to plan a trip to a city like London theres just so much to do! Enjoy a scrumptious home-cooked breakfast at the Holly House B&B, before getting lost with the kids in the Dragonfly Maze. I wouldnt recommend it. The Titan is 22 feet long, weighs 23,000 pounds and "has about as . Here, the app shows you where to get on and off, and how to walk to and from those stations. There is even a penguin area! The Air Line is step-free, and the cable cars can accommodate most motorized wheelchairs. If youre trying to take the Central Line from Notting Hill Gate to Oxford Circus at 8:30AM, it may be so crowded that it will be difficult to actually get on a train. If you dont pay the same day, the charge goes up and it will continue to increase for each day that goes by without paying. Children over 5 years old can travel for free in some public transports across London, or at a reduced rate. Traffic, driving on the left side, motorcycles and inconsistent bike lanes are all hazards. Hope that helps! Pavements are generally in good repair, pedestrian crossings relatively frequent and well-placed, and curb cuts sufficient not to leave you stranded. Therefore, do you think the cheapest way to get there each day and back is to use three adult Oyster cards? The cheapest way for the adults is to use an oyster card (or contactless debit or credit card). Join our vibrantFacebook community, "Families Who Love to Travel,"(where family travelers like you can ask for advice and share tips with other families!). I honestly don't see how one could do both. Julie, the mom behind the blog, has a practical, straightforward writing style. My primary piece of advice here is to use an app (Citymapper see below), to simplify any particular journey which will usually require the use of one or at most two lines (with one change). Read more here. Children under five travel free with a fare-paying adult. White circle: Accessible Station. Christian . Youll be served plenty of food and drink by friendly staff. Using contactless or an Oyster card to pay as you go is an easy and flexible option. Children aged under 11 travel free on Londons buses and trams, at any time, and do not need a ticket. . Finally, dont miss the Tower of London. A good car service will make sure that they track your flight, and they will have someone waiting inside the airport with a sign with your name on it, which is a welcomed convenience especially when arriving with kids and luggage off of a red eye! Dont miss their tips for traversing London and their hotel recommendations. The London Transport Museum is a great place to visit with kids right in Covent Garden where you can learn all about it. Something to be aware of if you have plans to rent a car in Central London. Are you planning a family vacation in London? Licensed black-cab drivers have The Knowledge, acquired over three-to-five years of rigorous training and a series of exams. You may have heard legends about The Knowledge, which represents the test that every official London Black Cab driver must pass to prove that they know their way around the many thoroughfares and circuitous side streets of the Capital. Next, try the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum. This itinerary was written by Dr. Jennifer Meece, the mom to two kids aged 3 and 6. London: Family Travel - Tripadvisor Michelle. It may just mean that you need to get off at the next stop and walk 5 minutes, rather than having to take a buggy and a baby up 100 steps. Kids will love trying afternoon tea at Patisserie Valerie! The certification and licensing process is both thorough and expensive, and this is one of the reasons why the fares in Black Cabs are so expensive with a typical ride of a mile or two usually costing about 10-15. Once youre on the bus it will show you each stop on the route, and it can even alert you when its time to get off! Advice for Oxford/Richmond day trip from London - Fodor's Travel Talk 101 things to do with kids Harry Potter's London Places to take the family Museums for Kids Family restaurants Ideas for family days out Imperial War Museum Duxford Immersive experiences Zoos and farms Tickets and offers Theatre tickets Attraction tickets Sightseeing pass See More Family-friendly London Family-friendly hotels Cheap accommodation Click on the type of Uber that you want and the Uber app will open automatically, with your starting point and destination already entered! First, soak up some history with the Tower of London and a bus tour. Uber is very common in London and if youre an Uber-user in the US, the app will work just as youre used to in London as well. Kids and Compass, a UK-based family, share their 7-day itinerary to help you plan your own family trip to London. Tickets can be bought at the piers, or pay-as-you-go with your Oyster or Contactless card (see Transport passes, tickets and fares below for more info). A Parliament tour may not be interesting for all children, especially the little ones, but its ok. You can simply take some time for a photoshoot outside Big Ben as its a beautiful building. You can easily put together your own double-decker bus tour of the best London sights using Bus Routes #24, #11 and #9. , along with red busses, are iconic sights in London. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Kids will love searching the stalls in the oldest market in London. To get a zip oyster photocard if you live in London, all you need to do is fill in a form that youll find at your local Post Office and return it to the Post Office. 27 Jan All you need to know to plan a family trip to London! We love London Marriott Hotel Kensington because it is close to the main attractions and the tube. If you choose to use car transportation, this is one of the risks that you will likely have to weigh as its simply not practical to carry car seats with you throughout London. South Kensington is a great area to stay in London. Plus, it has a lovely playground. And it has spectacular views of the Thames River, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The DLR, or Docklands Light Railway, is a driverless train network operating in the eastern part of the city. Here are a London expert's top tips to travel smart. Adventurous kids are sure to love these recommendations and more! One thing to look for is handicapped accessible stations which are marked on the tube map. Tip for taking the Tube: The Piccadilly Line stops at some of Londons key sights and neighborhoods Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge and also runs from all Heathrow airport terminals. Or take an Uber. This family-friendly city has the perfect mix of action, public transportation, and culture! I dont know why I cannot join it. There is no question that you can use the public transportation in London to get just about anywhere in Central London. Big Ben B. Westminster Abbey C. Buckingham Palace D. Trafalgar Square/the National Gallery E. London Eye F. Tate Britain and/or Tate Modern Day 2 of your weekend in London: Things to see and do (option 1) A. St Paul's Paul's Cathedral B. Additionally, most sections include great restaurant recommendations. The line also offers a quicker (although more expensive) route from Heathrow into central London. With its combination of Roman walls, Victorian development, post-WWII rebuilding and pockets of ongoing regeneration, it's a jumble of roads, Tube and train lines, and definitely not the most intuitive city to navigate. Alternatively, Borough Market is one of London's best - it's been running for more than 1,000 years. This means you need to look both ways before crossing roads, especially as you won't hear a bike coming! Never get individual tickets its basically the same effort as getting an Oyster card, and you pay more. Our 4-day London itinerary for families will help you plan an amazing trip. Do we all go through with one card? Depending on your kids age and preferences, you can choose to take an educational family tour of the House of Parliament. Striking family pictures and detailed information make planning London fun and easy! And lastly, if you scroll all the way down the list of options, CityMapper will usually provide a bit of humor with the option of transportation via jetpack, catapult, or sometimes teleportation! Cabs are available for hire when the yellow sign above the windshieldis lit; just stick your arm out to signal one. For parents with a stroller, this enables you to wheel the stroller right into the taxi without having to fold it up. Kids 10-15 years old need a special Oyster card which you can get through a manned ticket booth. Or in the summer, the major tourist zones around Oxford and Bond Streets, Buckingham Palace (Green Park), Westminster, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square can be very busy anytime. Hope that helps, I know its quite tricky! London is one of the world's most exciting destinations for a family vacation. Thanks! This easy to read itinerary includes stops in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye to name just a few. An oyster card is valid for travel into Central London from Gatwick Airport, but children under 11 also need a train ticket to get to central London from Gatwick Airport, even if they are accompanied by an adult. And if youre down-line from the branch then the same platform will often serve trains heading for different branches so always be sure to check where the train is headed. oldest underground rail system in the world, with the first line from Paddington Station opening in 1863. A family of four can enjoy unlimited travel all over London on the public buses and the Tube for less than 15/day. When youre all ready, walk a few minutes to St. Johns Churchyard, a quieter community park with a childrens playground. Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. The Tower Bridge is the beautiful bridge that we all have in mind when thinking of London. Our purpose is to help families find great experiences throughout the world. Biking When we lived in London, I biked to work (about 10 miles from Ealing to Central London) whenever I could. If youre a blogger who would like to be included in this post or write a guest post for Families Love Travel, please email us at contribution@familieslovetravel.com! Oyster cards:These arepre-paid reusable cards that can be topped up with funds. Click on the first option via the Piccadilly (blue) line. This means that you can use your Oyster card to pay for transportation on any of these systems, and also that the daily cap system will apply across the network. The city's Tube and rail systems are divided into zones, radiating outwards from Zone 1 in the very center to Zone 9as the outer section in Greater London to the north (it goes as far as Zone 6 to the south). Her London itinerary includes visits to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Covent Gardens, and more. The Buckingham Palace is another beautiful historic building filled with English history. Use Citymapper to estimate the travel times, and make sure that youve planned enough time with some padding for mistakes early in the process. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Type above and press Enter to search. The bus routes can seem very intimidating but with an app like Citymapper, its definitely manageable for a tourist with kids. It provides such a great view of the city! 2023 Families Love Travel. Transport for London operates the integrated transport network in the city and is the best source for up-to-date travel information, including timetables and fares. Best ways for visitors to pay - Transport for London Have you been to London before? After 14 days, this discount will expire, and the oyster card will charge full adult rates again. Your Visitor Oyster card can help with travel to and from London's main airports. Now, lets say that you want to take the Tube. Cycling is also an excellent option for exploring parks and along the Thames. You can buy tickets for single journeys at ticket offices and self-service machines at most stations, but it's cheaper and much more convenient to either use Contactless, anOyster card, or a mobile payment with a smartphone. Writer Sheila Yasmin Marikar talks about how she travels, her favorite places and the trip shell never forget. RSS. You can use a contactless card or mobile device, such as a phone or watch, to pay as you go on all our services. Of course, you may not have a thing to visit all the museums you wanted, but youll have a great overview of the city without having to rush too much. This is useful, because it will show you that in this example, you might choose to take the Tube, but youll still actually spend 22 of your 28 minutes walking to and from the stations! this is my understanding too, children 5 11 need a ticket for national rail trains. The trick to travelling in London with kids using a pushchair is to check Londons accessible underground map in advance and choose your route carefully. It's likely you'll take a ride on it if you're heading to the Emirates Air Line cable car or arriving/departing via London City Airport. The outer zones matter for commuting locals but they rarely matter for tourists who will travel almost exclusively in Zone 1 in Central London (and maybe on rare occasions to Zone 2) on the Tube. Fares are capped, so providing you use the same card/device throughout your day and travel within the zones system, you'll pay a reduced Travelcard rate. Leave London in the evening and wake up to . I asked today at my local train station (national rail) in zone four and he advised me (although he didnt sound entirely convincing) that the free travel for under 11s applies only on TFL transport and not on national rail even if its within London. Amazing article dude! Traffic, driving on the left side, motorcycles and inconsistent bike lanes are all hazards. This is just something that we got used to living there but tourists may find it a bit unnerving. The Overground train network is part of Transport for London and operates beyond the center of London (mostly outside Zone 1). Many say that its also the best in the world. A good map or GPS is recommended, as London's winding streets can quickly disorientate. They will stay in zone four where the only connection to London is on a train. Children under 5 years old travel for free on other public transportation in London. Explore by category All Getting Around London DLR Station Overground Station Rail Station River Pier More categories Your email address will not be published. You may have heard legends about The Knowledge, which represents the test that every official London Black Cab driver must pass to prove that they know their way around the many thoroughfares and circuitous side streets of the Capital. If youre interested (which you likely are not) in learning more about this, you can find more here. Historic Sites Points of Interest & Landmarks. Before starting our itinerary, you should know a few things before planning a trip to London with kids. You dont have to re-enter the system or pay again if you switch lines during the same journey. London also has an excellent public transportation system. Citymapper will tell you not only where to pick up the appropriate bus but it will also alert you when you are approaching your stop. Tower of London. And isnt that one of the best parts of travel? In addition to an Oyster card, you can also get a daily or weekly travelcard, or pay for individual tickets. A case for why the hop-on, hop-off bus is worth it. You can walk through the State Rooms and explore the Palaces Garden. You can do just that by taking your kids to the London Eye on your first or second day. One of the best aspects of the system is that the network includes not only the Underground but also the Overground (not to be confused with National Rail which are the larger trains between cities), Regional Rail within London, busses, and even river busses!