THE COST OF THE summer holidays can be frightening. It’s not just the extra food when school dinners are not available (many parents go hungry over the summer to ensure their children are fed) – it’s also the cost of entertainment.
Transport for London is doing its bit to help by pointing out that off peak fares may help keep the cost down for families visiting some of the attractions which the capital has to offer.
Off peak fares apply to travel which takes place between 9.30am and 3.59pm (and before 6.30am and after 7pm). If you have an Oyster card, a Tube, DLR or Overground fare will be £1.50 (or £2.40 if it includes Zone 1). Those fares can add up if you are taking a family out. However, children under 11 can travel free on buses, the Tube and most rail services in London (you need to obtain a Zip card) and Londoners over 60 can travel free with a 60 pus or Freedom pass.
To help you find new places to go to, TfL and Time Out have produced an interactive map. Just clicking on the map and seeing attractions come up is quite a fun indoors activity – but you may find something to go out to too. East London attractions please note that you can also submit your details to the map and get yourself included.
East London is lucky in that we have both the Central and District lines running through the area. TfL has produced some new posters showing some of the places of interest long each Tube line. They are probably more pretty than most useful, but they may provide some ideas for summer outings.
There’s also a range of advice on how to use London’s transport system to see places of interest and find things to do. Of course, it’s not always that easy. Having travelled to a London attraction, you often have to pay an admission charge – and very high prices in onsite cafes if you and the kids want a drink and a sandwich. But that’s a problem which TfL can’t solve.
•To see the TfL and Time Out map of London attractions, go to: London Attractions •For general advice on travelling round London and finding things to do, go to: Info on London
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