2 for 1 London Attractions | National Rail Tickets Deal

In this post, we will cover how you can use 2-for-1 ticket deals at many popular London tourist attractions to save 50% off retail prices.

As local tour guides who lead pay-what-you-wish walking tours of London, we know a thing or two about great deals.

And we use these deals quite regularly ourselves, particularly when we have visitors in town.

We've used our own personal experiences as well as those of the members of our popular London Travel Tips Facebook group to write this post.

You could find a link to the group in the section titled "Is the Deal Worth It?"

The Deal Explained
How to Get It
Attractions Included
Is the Deal Worth It?
Bus Tours Included
Other Ways to Save
London on a Budget

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

With National Rail, it is possible for visitors to purchase a rail ticket which, in turn, will grant the holder 2-for-1 access to some of the biggest attractions, exhibitions, theatres, and even restaurants in the capital.

With so many places in London signed up for the scheme, it’s one of the biggest (and easiest) ways to save money whilst in the capital.

The 2-for-1 London deal is available at over 150 different attractions in the city, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, and many other popular locations.

When you take advantage of this opportunity, you’ll essentially be saving a total of 50% off all admission prices.

If you want to know more about the locations that offer entry tickets as a part in this program, make sure to check our section covering the most popular attractions included.

HOW AND WHERE TO GET THE 2-FOR-1 DEAL

There are a number of stipulations tied to the 2-for-1 deal.

If you want to get this deal, you’ll have to keep the following rules in mind:

Only Valid with Certain Train Tickets

To obtain your ticket when traveling to – or through – London, simply buy a rail ticket at any National Rail train station.

The following valid train ticket types will allow you to take advantage of the 2-for-1 program:

Advance
Anytime
Off-Peak
Gatwick/Stanstead Express
Travelcards (only at National Rail station)
Printed/Mobile tickets with the National Rail logo
Season tickets
Annual Gold Cards
Gold Record Card
National Rail issued smartcards

Luton, Stansted, and Gatwick Airport train tickets qualify if bought from the railways, but the Heathrow Express and the TFL Railway do not.

Tickets Must Be Purchased at National Rail Stations

The 2-for-1 promotion is only valid with tickets purchased at National Rail stations.

Tickets issued from the London Underground stations are not valid and will not be accepted.

National Rail Stations are stations with the symbol seen below.

If you’re looking for a station near you, check the National Rail stations page.

A zone 1-6 off-peak one-day Travelcard is £14.40 (£7.20 child)

You Must Travel to Your Chosen Attraction

All valid train tickets should show that you have traveled to the attraction by train.

So, make sure that the destination on your ticket is as close as possible to the location where you plan to use this deal.

If your tickets show that you traveled to another part of the city, they may not be accepted for this promotion.

Keep Your Train Tickets

You must present your National Rail ticket along with the 2-for-1 voucher for the location of your choice to receive the deal.

Businesses need to confirm that you were there specifically to visit their attraction.

Don't put a single ticket into the entrance/exit barrier, as the ticket machine might eat it.

If a National Rail employee asks for your tickets, make sure to inform them that you plan to use the 2-for-1 promotion.

Print Out Your 2 For 1 Voucher Before Leaving

2-for-1 vouchers can be downloaded/printed from the Days Out Guide website.

As of 2022, advance online booking is available for many attractions and activities included on this site, including locations like the London Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, the London Dungeon, and several others.

For locations accepting online bookings, all you have to do is search for the attraction page and fill out the details to purchase valid tickets ahead of time.

You must use a voucher in combination with your National Rail tickets in order to take advantage of the promotional offer.

Paper vouchers do not have to be validated on the specific date you choose before downloading them, so you can print them out a day or two earlier and they might still be valid a few days later.

You Must Purchase Tickets on the Same Day

To qualify for the 2-for-1 offer, the travelcard or ticket you use must be valid for the day you visit the attraction.

For a single journey ticket, this means your attraction tickets must be purchased on the same day that your rail ticket was validated.

This is a great option for anyone who will be in London for more than a few days, as it allows you to choose when and how you use the 2-for-1 deal.

Some Attractions Have Blackout Dates

Another thing to keep in mind is that some popular attractions will have blackout dates, which means that they won’t honor the 2-for-1 program during those times.

This typically happens during peak tourism weeks in the summer, but you should check the voucher for the attraction of your choice to find out which days aren’t available.

We recommend taking advantage of this deal during quieter times such as weekdays and shoulder seasons to avoid missing out.

Skip-the-Queue Tickets Are Not Included

The 2-for-1 deal cannot be used to purchase skip-the-line tickets.

You have to present your National Rail tickets at the ticket booth for the deal, so you won’t be able to skip the ticket line.

If you’re short on time or you don’t want to wait in line, consider getting a London tourist pass instead.

Not Included with the Oyster Card

This promotion is not available through the Oyster Card, contactless payment cards, or Freedom Passes.

They will not be accepted as evidence of traveling by train at any attraction or venue.

However, if you have a National Rail Annual Season ticket loaded onto an Oyster Card and you also have the accompanying Gold Record Card, you can use the Gold Record Card as evidence.

That all being said, if you’re looking to save money on travel, you might want to consider the Oyster Card.

This service can save you quite a bit of money on train tickets, so it’s an excellent alternative if the attraction of your choice isn’t included with the 2-for-1 program.

Things to Consider

With all of the rules, you must follow, some readers may be wondering if the 2-for-1 promotion is worth the hassle.

The short answer is that this is a great way to save money on a variety of popular attractions, but there are easier options you may want to consider in London.

If you don’t want to worry about whether or not you have the right type of ticket and you’re not interested in downloading vouchers, it’s worth noting that there are several London tourist attraction passes that include most of the popular activities you can enjoy with the 2 for 1 deal.

A 4 step guide to getting the London 2 For 1 discount. Image source: Days Out Guide.

Most of the tourist passes available in London come in the form of either a card or an app that you can use on your phone for admission to various attractions.

You won’t have to worry about holding onto any tickets/vouchers, where you purchase them if they are valid, or anything else.

For the most part, tourist passes need only be presented at the ticket booth to get inside.

If this sounds like a far less confusing prospect, check our post about London tourist passes for more information.

ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED

There are a lot of notable attractions that take part in the 2-for-1 program.

If you’re planning to use this promotional offer, consider going to one of the following locations:

Is the 2-for-1 Program Worth It?

Yes, it is. Let’s use the Tower of London as an example since this is one of the most popular (and most expensive) attractions in town.

Here’s an example of how much money you could save.

Tower of London 2 for 1 Ticket

Normal Price:

£28.80 for 2 one-day travelcards
£59.80 for 2 full-price adult Tower of London tickets
Total cost: £88.60

2 For 1 Program Price:

£28.80 for 2 travelcards
£29.90 for 2 Tower of London tickets
Total cost: £58.70

This would mean that your daily travelcards actually paid for itself!

The 2-for-1 offer is a great way to save money on travel and several fun activities in London.

If you are interested in the program and you come along on one of our London walking tours, simply ask your guide to point you in the direction of the nearest rail station at the end of your tour so you can start choosing, using, and saving for yourself.

And why not find out what some of the roughly 130k members of our popular London Travel Tips Facebook group have to say?

Is the National Rail 2 for 1 Ticket Deal Worth It

Our group consists of locals, like our tours guides, expats, regular visitors to London, as well as newbies.

You don't need to be a member to search for and read the posts, comments, and suggestions.

Where Do I Find More Information?

All rail stations in London should carry promotional leaflets advertising the 2-for-1 offer for you to pick up and browse.

Alternatively, you can also visit the Days Out Guide for all the information you could possibly need.

OTHER TOURIST DEALS

Most of the sites and activities included with the 2-for-1 program are also available at a much lower price with a Go City London Pass and other similar services.

If you’re planning to purchase tickets for more than a few attractions, this may be a better opportunity.

There are several different types of tourist passes available in London.

While an all-inclusive Go City London pass will give you access to dozens of popular activities for one flat price, you can also choose to pay for only the locations you want to visit.

There are also prepackaged passes which include a set number of specific attractions for one flat price, as well as bus tour combo tickets that include admission to a few popular sites in the city.

No matter what your plans are, you’ll probably find a pass that can save you money on our post covering every major London Pass.

For even more great opportunities to save money on attractions and activities, read our guide to visiting London on a budget.

Tips from the Tourists

Weekly Voucher Flexibility

Our Facebook Group members share a handy tip for those with weekly rail tickets. You're set for big savings by using the 2-for-1 vouchers daily. Just print them out and match your visits to your rail pass days. It's a savvy way to enjoy London's theatres and attractions while optimizing the 2-for-1 deal all week long.

Eurostar & Trainline Tips

Planning a Eurostar journey? Book directly on their website for the best experience, as suggested by our Facebook Group. For other train travelers, the Trainline App comes highly recommended for its reliable updates on schedules and delays, helping you navigate London seamlessly.

2-for-1 Ticket Flexibility

Many travelers have found the 2-for-1 ticket deal to be a great saving, especially when visiting top attractions like the Tower of London. The key is to ensure that your tickets are for the same day as your visit if you're coming from outside of London. Some visitors from our Facebook Group have also successfully used their tickets on different days throughout their stay, not just on the day of travel, offering flexibility to your travel plans. Always check the latest terms when planning your visit to make the most of these deals.

Avoiding Ride Surges

A tip from seasoned visitors from our Facebook Group suggests avoiding rideshare services like Uber during high-demand periods in London due to price surges. Instead, opt for a Licensed London Black cab for reliable and consistent pricing. This advice is particularly handy for ensuring you stay on budget and avoid unexpected costs while traveling around the city.

Camden Dining Spots

When you're in Camden, our Facebook Group members recommend a trip to the local Whole Foods Market for healthy eats. Right across the street, a greengrocer awaits with fresh produce on offer. Then, for a taste of Italy, stroll down to Goodfare Italian, not far from Camden Town. This spot is a treasure trove for food enthusiasts and comes highly suggested by those in our Facebook Group who love delving into London's eclectic food scene.

Leake Street Art

Looking for a budget-friendly activity that's popular with the younger crowd? Our Facebook Group members often suggest Leake Street's graffiti tunnel. It's a living urban canvas full of vibrant street art, completely free to explore. This locale is a hit with teenagers, offering a unique peek into London's dynamic street art scene.

Teen Oyster Deal

For families visiting with teens, our Facebook Group members share a useful tip: obtain a regular Oyster card for kids aged 11 to 15. You can add a 50% Young Visitor Deal at any Underground train station, cutting the fare in half. It's an excellent strategy to reduce transportation costs while adventuring through London.

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2 For 1 London Deals

WHAT IS THE DEAL?