We just returned from 2 weeks visiting Paris and London via train, metro and London Underground (Tube). Train to Paris was easy, get on in the north of England (Darlington) at 8:27am, one change of train and step off in the center of Paris at 2:21pm. (1:21pm UK time). Passport control was in London, get to the station 45 minutes before departure, and similar in Paris on the return journey.
I used my contactless US credit card a lot in Paris, larger bills needed a signature. In London you can “tap on and tap off” going through the tube turnstiles using the same credit card and get the best rates based on the time you are traveling. Our daughter from California, who we had met up with in Paris, did not have a contactless card so I just let her use my US CC for the tube. On the Friday we did 2 trips out and back during the day and in the evening out and back to the theatre. Total cost of the 4 journeys on my UK card was £7, and $9.01 on my US card for DD’s 4 journeys. There is a maximum daily cap of ~£10 if you travel many legs or at peak times.
No need to buy an “Oyster card” and load it with money as you go, although I expect there are good deals to be had for locals who spend a lot of time traveling in London.
London buses, like our local buses, also accept contactless credit cards so no need to try and have cash in hand.
I used my contactless US credit card a lot in Paris, larger bills needed a signature. In London you can “tap on and tap off” going through the tube turnstiles using the same credit card and get the best rates based on the time you are traveling. Our daughter from California, who we had met up with in Paris, did not have a contactless card so I just let her use my US CC for the tube. On the Friday we did 2 trips out and back during the day and in the evening out and back to the theatre. Total cost of the 4 journeys on my UK card was £7, and $9.01 on my US card for DD’s 4 journeys. There is a maximum daily cap of ~£10 if you travel many legs or at peak times.
No need to buy an “Oyster card” and load it with money as you go, although I expect there are good deals to be had for locals who spend a lot of time traveling in London.
London buses, like our local buses, also accept contactless credit cards so no need to try and have cash in hand.
Last edited: