"S. Sen" wrote in message ...
Hi,

My wife and I will be travelling to London from Philadelphia and plan to
make extensive use of the public transportation system while there. We
will be there for 7 days. We will be staying at Leatherhead, Surrey
which I understand is Zone 6. Thus, we would be coming into the city
proper each day and going back fairly late in the evening.

I would be most grateful if anyone would answer these questions for us...

1. What kind of pass should we get? After scouting around, it seems it
is the weekly travelcard allowing travel across all 6 zones?
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...s-period.shtml

Leatherhead is outside the zonal system. Train services run from there
to Victoria station roughly every half hour, and take around 40-45
minutes. You should see http://www.southcentraltrains.co.uk for
ticketing information. As long as you travel after 9.30am, you can get
a day ticket permitting return travel from Leatherhead and then
unlimited travel within London proper for the day. This costs £8.60. I
haven't been able to find a weekly price on the internet.


2. If the above is true, how do I get a 'photocard', as the site
mentioned above says we need for a weekly travelcard? It is too late for
me to get a visitor travelcard mailed to us - we are leaving in 24
hours. Is one issued on the spot? Can non UK residents get it? Is there
a office at Heathrow issuing such photocards and travelcards?

Photocards are free from any ticket office,and anyone can get one. You
just need to supply a passport sized photo; there are usually photo
booths in stations. You won't need a photocard for a daily ticket.

3. If weekly travelcard is not an option, what is our best bet?

See above.


4. Is public transportation fairly safe? Late in the evening?

Generally yes, but always use common sense as you would in any city.
So don't make yourself stand out as a tourist, keep valuables secure
in your bag and don't use mobile/cellphones around station exits

Many thanks.