Transport for London (TfL)
London's transport system is based upon a pattern of 6 concentric rings with the inner one beginning as zone 1 and the outer one which reaches Heathrow Airport being zone 6.
You will tend to travel mainly within zones 1-2 and tickets can be bought for travel within this zone. Should you need to travel outside of these zones the price of the ticket rises provided you begin your journey from the centre and move out or vice-versa.
Tickets tend to be electronic now in the UK with people buy "Oyster Cards" and topping them up with as much money as they like. Everytime you board upon public transport you are oblidged to touch you card upon a yellow electronic meter and money is then removed from it automatically. This is the cheapest way to travel using public transport as paper tickets tend to cost twice the amount compared to an Oyster Card.
As students you can apply for a student Oyster card through the internet and which you can use to buy discounted weekly and monthly travelcards (1/3 off). Travelcards can be used on all modes of transport including trains provided you are travelling to a place within the zones designated on your ticket.
If you wish to travel outside of London then it is best to book tickets early so as to benefit from cheaper prices. If you make regular trips then buying a "Young Person's Railcard" would be advantageous as you can use it to book train tickets for 2/3 the original price. This costs about 20 pounds to buy from any overground train station.
The information provided here is based on personal experience and is by no means complete and we would strongly urge you to visit the TfL website at www.tfl.gov.uk for further information.
You may also use the TfL website to help you plan your journey.
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