London to Southampton options?

[cruzisme]

Can anyone suggest some ways to get from our London B&B to Southampton? We are thinking of taking the train off-peak time. Which station would that be? Waterloo? and ending at S. Central Station.

I know there is a bus that does this route too. How long would it take and where do you catch it (Victoria Coach?)

We are staying close to Vauxhall underground station.

Thank you.

[handfordr]

If you are staying at Vauxhall then you are very conveniently situated as the main London Waterloo to Southampton rail line runs through Vauxhall. Sadly I don't think any of the Southampton trains stop at Vauxhall Station (above the Underground) but there are trains every couple of minutes to Clapham Junction a mile or so down the track where Southampton trains do stop.

The train talks just under 2 hours and the off peak standard fare is 34 GBP adult.

You then have a taxi fare to the cruise terminal of 6-9 GBP depending on cruise terminal you are using.

 

The main public transport alternative would be the Greyhound Bus from Victoria, not that far from Vauxhall.

This takes just over 2 hours, prices are variable but if you book on-line you should pick up tickets around 5 GBP.

There is a National Express bus alternative also from Victoria but this is much slower as it operates via Heathrow Airport.

You then have the taxi at Southampton like the train.

 

A sedan private car door to door should take well under 2 hours and you should be looking to pay 150 GBP or less.

[Globaliser]

If you are staying at Vauxhall then you are very conveniently situated as the main London Waterloo to Southampton rail line runs through Vauxhall. Sadly I don't think any of the Southampton trains stop at Vauxhall Station (above the Underground) but there are trains every couple of minutes to Clapham Junction a mile or so down the track where Southampton trains do stop.

While this is absolutely accurate, it may not be the best thing for someone with cruise luggage. Clapham Junction is not very friendly for connections, even though there is some work going on to try to improve things to a degree. It may be better to take the train from Vauxhall to Waterloo and change there. Network Rail itself suggests that for wheelchair passengers in order to avoid the difficulties at Clapham Junction.

 

It would be different if you could be confident that changing at Clapham Junction would not involve changing platforms. But I think that you'd need a great deal of specialist knowledge to work out whether or not this would be the case for any given connection.

[cruzisme]

Thank you for your replies.

What about this plan: take the underground from Vauxhall to Victoria station and transfer to Waterloo station (all on underground or tube)

Fill me in if I am doing this wrong

Then, buy a train ticket from South West Rail that goes to Southampton Central for approx. 34 pounds (takes under 1.5 hours)

We will be going in off peak time

Is this accurate or am I missing something easier? I know the bus route is cheaper but it takes longer. But open to your opinions!:)

We are over 60 years old but from Canada...any discounts available?

[Globaliser]

What about this plan: take the underground from Vauxhall to Victoria station and transfer to Waterloo station (all on underground or tube)

Why would you do this, when you could take the train from Vauxhall to Waterloo (one stop) and then get on the next train from Waterloo to Southampton?

 

But otherwise, taking the train from London to Southampton is what I would do (and in fact do whenever I'm sailing from Southampton).

 

Unless you're going to do a lot more train travel in the UK, there aren't any discount schemes of which I'm aware for senior citizens that would be worthwhile for you. The only one I can immediately think of is the Senior Railcard, but that would cost you £26 and you wouldn't make that back in discounts.

[cruzisme]

I will now take the train from Vauxhall to Waterloo

I did not know until today that Vauxhall is also a train station. I thought it was only underground or tube

As you can see, this whole transportation system is confusing for someone who has never been to London before.

 

Do you want to try Oyster card explanation now? We will be in London for 3 good days for exploring before venturing down to Southampton.

From what I can gather: plasticized card, Top it up with amount you want, scan the car for on and off the tube or bus, it tells you how much you have left. Is this correct and it is good for tube and buses and maybe some trains?

 

We are pretty good walkers so not sure how much we will rely on Oyster Card unless it is raining!

 

Best way to get from International terminal at LHR to Vauxhall area...tube again (cheapest) but do I have to get off and change somewhere?

Thank you!!!!:)

[scottbee]

I will now take the train from Vauxhall to Waterloo

I did not know until today that Vauxhall is also a train station. I thought it was only underground or tube

As you can see, this whole transportation system is confusing for someone who has never been to London before.

 

Do you want to try Oyster card explanation now? We will be in London for 3 good days for exploring before venturing down to Southampton.

From what I can gather: plasticized card, Top it up with amount you want, scan the car for on and off the tube or bus, it tells you how much you have left. Is this correct and it is good for tube and buses and maybe some trains?

 

We are pretty good walkers so not sure how much we will rely on Oyster Card unless it is rainhttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdfing!

 

Best way to get from International terminal at LHR to Vauxhall area...tube again (cheapest) but do I have to get off and change somewhere?

Thank you!!!!:)

 

You have the Oyster pretty much down; so buy one, and then

Piccadilly line to Green Park; Victoria line to Vauxhall.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf

[cruzisme]

Am I to safely assume that 2 people with 2 pull along carry ons and 1 26/28" rolling luggage can do this on the Tube without being stared at or totally squished? I know backpackers can do this (my son did) but what about 2 seniors (healthy ones!)?

[handfordr]

Am I to safely assume that 2 people with 2 pull along carry ons and 1 26/28" rolling luggage can do this on the Tube without being stared at or totally squished? I know backpackers can do this (my son did) but what about 2 seniors (healthy ones!)?

 

If you are reasonably sure you will have no problems carrying your luggage

up and down escalators, along corridors and negioting small flights of steps with luggage you should have no problems.

At Heathrow you should get a seat on the Underground, (especially if you are flying on a red eye) you may have to stand in crowded carriages on your connections.

People with luggage on the Heathrow Underground are an everyday occurence so unless you have died your hair purple or something nobody will take much notice.

 

Its a long. long walk at Green Park for the interchange between Piccadilly and Victoria Lines.

 

Regards the Oyster, there is a daily cap on how much is deducted. In the central area this is 6.60/8.00 GBP depending on whether you travel on in the peak period during the working week. A single journey on the Undergrounfd is about 2 GBP and 1.30 GBP for buses.

If you travel only on the buses the daily cap is 4 GBP.

Even if you are keen walkers, the Vauxhall area isn't the greatest so you'll at least want to get the bus to somewhere more interesting. Vauxhall isn't a major hotel area and isn't the kind of place that you will want to spend too much time apart from inside your hotel.

London is a great place for walking but given the daily cap on travel you won't be saving any money by walking the monotonous bits like around Vauxhall.

Its perfectly viable not to use the Underground, just use the buses where you get a much betterview of London than deep underground.

[Globaliser]

Is this correct and it is good for tube and buses and maybe some trains?

The pre-pay Oyster is valid for all Tube services, all "London buses" (ie the normal local services operated for Transport for London, but not long-distance buses/coaches or the privately-operated mobile roadblocks HOHO buses), the Docklands Light Railway, the Croydon tram (tourists are unlikely to get anywhere near this!), and virtually all train services within the Greater London area (see this map - notable exception: not valid to/from Heathrow on Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect).

 

You can also use it to pay for journeys on the Thames Clippers fast ferry at a small discount, although spend on this does not count towards the daily price cap.

 

When you use it on the Tube and the DLR, you must touch in and touch out when you enter and leave the system, even if the ticket barriers are open. Otherwise, you will be charged a penalty fare that does not count towards the daily price cap. This is particularly difficult at some DLR stations, because they are open platform (no barriers) and some of the ticket-reading machines are located in slightly odd places.

 

I would not recommend following the signed route from the Piccadilly Line to the Victoria Line at Green Park because I think it has a significant number of stairs, which is a pain with luggage.

 

For an easier change, you might want to try this: Instead of following the signs for the Victoria Line, follow the exit signs instead. I think that these should take you step-free up the escalators all the way to the ticket barriers to exit to the street. Don't exit, but then follow the signs for the Victoria Line which again, IIRC, should take you all the way to the Victoria Line platforms step-free.

 

Alternatively, you could follow the posted step-free route from the Piccadilly Line to the Jubilee Line, which take you to a lift (elevator), a walk, and then another lift. (This route is indicated by an icon of a baby stroller.) Take the Jubilee Line to Waterloo, where there is step-free access to the mainline platforms. Then take a train one stop to Vauxhall.

 

There's a really exotic route which involves taking the 285 bus from Heathrow Central Bus Station (if arriving at T123), or the 490 bus from T4 or T5, to Feltham station, and then getting a direct train from Feltham to Vauxhall. But this isn't really one for novices to London, and the buses are not very good for heavy luggage.

[spanner14]

The pre-pay Oyster is valid for all Tube services, all "London buses" (ie the normal local services operated for Transport for London, but not long-distance buses/coaches or the privately-operated mobile roadblocks HOHO buses), the Docklands Light Railway, the Croydon tram (tourists are unlikely to get anywhere near this!), and virtually all train services within the Greater London area (see this map - notable exception: not valid to/from Heathrow on Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect).

 

You can also use it to pay for journeys on the Thames Clippers fast ferry at a small discount, although spend on this does not count towards the daily price cap.

 

When you use it on the Tube and the DLR, you must touch in and touch out when you enter and leave the system, even if the ticket barriers are open. Otherwise, you will be charged a penalty fare that does not count towards the daily price cap. This is particularly difficult at some DLR stations, because they are open platform (no barriers) and some of the ticket-reading machines are located in slightly odd places.

 

I would not recommend following the signed route from the Piccadilly Line to the Victoria Line at Green Park because I think it has a significant number of stairs, which is a pain with luggage.

 

For an easier change, you might want to try this: Instead of following the signs for the Victoria Line, follow the exit signs instead. I think that these should take you step-free up the escalators all the way to the ticket barriers to exit to the street. Don't exit, but then follow the signs for the Victoria Line which again, IIRC, should take you all the way to the Victoria Line platforms step-free.

 

Alternatively, you could follow the posted step-free route from the Piccadilly Line to the Jubilee Line, which take you to a lift (elevator), a walk, and then another lift. (This route is indicated by an icon of a baby stroller.) Take the Jubilee Line to Waterloo, where there is step-free access to the mainline platforms. Then take a train one stop to Vauxhall.

 

There's a really exotic route which involves taking the 285 bus from Heathrow Central Bus Station (if arriving at T123), or the 490 bus from T4 or T5, to Feltham station, and then getting a direct train from Feltham to Vauxhall. But this isn't really one for novices to London, and the buses are not very good for heavy luggage.

 

Or on the Underground maps, indicated by a wheelchair icon. :)

 

The jubilee line is one of the best for step free access but there are occasions (thankfully few) where the advertised lift isn't working!

 

You won't get stared at for having luggage on the underground. Whether you'll get squished or not depends on when you're travelling, but on a Sunday morning you should be fine.

[cruzisme]

Thank you to all of you for your wonderful info and responses!

I think ;) I am getting a 'feel' for the Oyster Card and how to use it and where to use it etc.

Being a slow! Canadian at times, when you mean 'cap' at a certain price, does that mean you can do as many trips as you want & they won't charge you more that day, or do you mean only a certain # of trips allowed until you reach that quota ie cap in pounds per day? Do you know what I mean or is this all 'mucked up' thinking?

Awaiting your answers!

[handfordr]

When you mean 'cap' at a certain price, does that mean you can do as many trips as you want & they won't charge you more that day, or do you mean only a certain # of trips allowed until you reach that quota ie cap in pounds per day?

 

Its means you can do as many trips as you want & they won't charge you more that day than the cap.

[Globaliser]

Just to add a little to this: When you start travelling that day, the fares are deducted from the balance on your card. (Note: The fare you pay using an Oyster is less than the fare that you would pay if you bought single tickets for cash each time, so you're already saving money.)

 

However, the card and the system keep track of where you've been, the time that each journey was started, and how much you've spent on each trip. Every time you use the card on a particular trip, the system calculates the applicable price cap, the precise amount of which depends on the details of the journeys that you've made that day.

 

If deducting the fare for the present trip would take you above the applicable price cap, the system only deducts the amount necessary to reach the cap.

 

Once you have reached the applicable cap, the system will not deduct any further fares however much you travel.

 

Of course, the amount of the cap may change during the course of the day, so you may reach the cap at one stage, but later find that more money is deducted because the cap has changed. For example, if you start off travelling in zone 1, you might reach the cap quite quickly. But if you later travel out to zone 6, the applicable cap will be a higher amount so there will then be a further deduction from the card to take you to (or towards) the new cap.

 

But you will never pay more for a day's travel than the applicable price cap for all of the travel that you've done.

 

The system really works very well - in fact, surprisingly well for something run by Transport for London. It's one of their shining success stories, IMHO. Indeed, every so often, it surprises me by being even more sophisticated about capping than I expected. It may only save me another 20p or so for the day, but the rigid adherence to the principle of not making card holders pay more than they need to is very impressive.

[cruzisme]

I'm getting it now!

It really helps to have someone(s) to assist the newbies to a transportation system; it probably is very easy but just wanting to get all my questions answered (and I know there is someone reading this thread saying...hey, that's great...I had that question too and now it's been answered!) BTW, by some great Experts on this Board....Thank you!:)

[spanner14]

One thing you *must* do with an Oyster Card is "touch" in and out properly for the price cap to work. This is usually no problem, because to get into and out of the station, you "touch" your oyster card to the card reader at the barriers (looks like a big yellow circle; you'll see everyone holding their Oyster Card to the circle and then the gates open).

 

These barriers also take tickets if you don't have an Oyster Card; you just feed your ticket into the slot and it pops out again, opening the gate.

 

Each time you touch your Oyster Card to the entry or exit gate, the system registers where you are, and as long as you enter and exit by touching your Oyster Card to the yellow circle on the barriers, you will only be charged up to the capped price (about £7.50 per day, I think).

 

HOWEVER - a couple of months ago, when I was sitting on a train in a station, there was a security alert (it wasn't me!!!) and we had to evacuate the train and leave the station. If there is a fire or security alert, all the barriers at the top of the escalators automatically open, so of course everybody streamed out and some of us forgot to touch our Oyster Cards to the yellow circles on the barriers. This totally messed up the system because the Oyster system didn't know that I'd exited the station (to re-enter another one, later on) so I got charged about £8 too much.

 

This was because I hadn't touched my card to the barrier so it messed the price capping up. I got a refund for the overcharge, but that does mean phoning Oyster etc.

 

SO - as long as you touch your card to the circle at the barrier at your first station, and touch it to the circle again when you exit at your destination station, you'll be fine. If you change lines at a station (e.g. changing at Holborn from the Central line onto the Piccadilly Line) then you don't have to touch your card at Holborn, just at the end of your journey.

 

I know that probably sounds VERY confusing, and for that I apologise, but the system does have its quirks and I'd hate for you to get overcharged! If anything I've said doesn't make sense, please ask and I'll try to explain myself more clearly. :)

[cruzisme]

:DThanks again everyone for the fabulous advice regarding oyster card and transportation, etc.

It is starting to make sense for us now.

[luvinretirement]

I just read through this thread and finally understand how the Oyster Card works -- thank you everyone for the great information.

 

I haven't been to London since 1983 -- I toured around for 3 days with a friend. Its a bit intimidating but once I got the hang of the tube system I had a ball.

 

Don't go until August -- If I have any more questions I'll post them here.

 

Thanks again.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Thanks to all the local experts for the Oyster Card explanations! Is there a place at Heathrow to buy them? Maybe not since they don't work on the Heathrow Express. Seems to me I read somewhere that you have to turn them back when you're done. Where do you do that?

[scottbee]

Thanks to all the local experts for the Oyster Card explanations! Is there a place at Heathrow to buy them? Maybe not since they don't work on the Heathrow Express. Seems to me I read somewhere that you have to turn them back when you're done. Where do you do that?

 

While they don't work on Heathrow Express (heavy rail to Paddington), or the Heathrow Connect (slightly slower heavy rail to Paddington), they will work on the Piccadilly Underground Line from the airport..

[Globaliser]

Is there a place at Heathrow to buy them? Maybe not since they don't work on the Heathrow Express.

There are two types of rail service from Heathrow.

 

You can use Oyster cards on the Underground (Tube), so you can definitely buy them at the Tube stations at Heathrow. There's one station serving Terminals 1, 2 and 3; a station for Terminal 4; and a station for Terminal 5.

 

The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect are a different and separate rail service. There are, similarly, three stations. But these trains do not take Oyster cards (or Travelcards) for travel to/from Heathrow.

Seems to me I read somewhere that you have to turn them back when you're done. Where do you do that?

You don't have to, but if you want to recover your £5 deposit and all the unused credit on the cards, you will need to do that.

 

Any Tube station ticket office will do that for you.

[John99]

I will be arriving at LHR this August for a 3 day stay in London Center. Would like to obtain an Oyster card. From reading the thread, if I get this right, you can buy the card at Tube stations. I get that. What about above ground?? Can I obtain the card at stores within LHR? Transportation centers in and around London Center? What about major London Hotels? Help!

[Globaliser]

What about above ground?? Can I obtain the card at stores within LHR? Transportation centers in and around London Center? What about major London Hotels?

Oyster Ticket Shop locator.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

There are two types of rail service from Heathrow.

 

You can use Oyster cards on the Underground (Tube), so you can definitely buy them at the Tube stations at Heathrow. There's one station serving Terminals 1, 2 and 3; a station for Terminal 4; and a station for Terminal 5.

 

The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect are a different and separate rail service. There are, similarly, three stations. But these trains do not take Oyster cards (or Travelcards) for travel to/from Heathrow.You don't have to, but if you want to recover your £5 deposit and all the unused credit on the cards, you will need to do that.

 

Any Tube station ticket office will do that for you.

 

Thanks, Globaliser, hadn't realized one could recover any unused funds from the card. Knowing that, don't have to calculate so carefully about how much to load on it at the beginning.

Can I use plastic to buy the plastic?

[luvinretirement]

There are two types of rail service from Heathrow.

 

You can use Oyster cards on the Underground (Tube), so you can definitely buy them at the Tube stations at Heathrow. There's one station serving Terminals 1, 2 and 3; a station for Terminal 4; and a station for Terminal 5.

 

The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect are a different and separate rail service. There are, similarly, three stations. But these trains do not take Oyster cards (or Travelcards) for travel to/from Heathrow.You don't have to, but if you want to recover your £5 deposit and all the unused credit on the cards, you will need to do that.

 

Any Tube station ticket office will do that for you.

 

When I contacted the Transport for London office this is their reply regarding the extra funds left on the card and getting the deposit back.

 

The £3 that we charge is an activation fee and this is non – refundable.

 

If the remaining balance is under £5, you can get a refund at a Tube station ticket office, and they will cancel the card.

If the balance on the card is more than £5, you will need to complete a refund form (available from Tube station ticket offices). The card will be cancelled and you will be sent a refund by cheque. Alternatively, you can send your Oyster card for visitors to the Oyster helpline to claim a refund. Please note that cheques will be issued in Sterling and you will be responsible for paying any exchange rate fees. The phone number to call is Tel: 0845 330 9876.

 

Sounds like they are easy to get and the better deal.