Questions about Travelcards & the underground in London?

So I am visiting London next Saturday (April 24th) just for a day, and will most likely be doing most of my travel of the city by the underground.  Now I have used the underground before, but in all honesty its been years since Ive been there and do not remember anything about it.

Question - I was looking on the London Underground website, and it looks like I need to get a ONE DAY TRAVELCARD for only Zone 1?  I just need the ticket/pass for one day, and be able to travel anywhere in the downtown part of the city.

Also - this might be stupid but once I ahev this elusive travelcard (if thats what I need), I just have to swipe in the turnstyle and I will be able to get through right?

(Im from a very small town) lol
 

Hi,

The cost for a Day Travelcard for Zone 1 is the same as a Day Travelcard for Zone 1 & 2, so if you're not sure how far out you might need to go, you could just get a card for Zone 1 & 2 to be safe.

Here's a link to the Tube Map with the zones on it: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx

And, yes, all you have to do is insert the card in the slot on the turnstile.  The card will pop out of the top and the turnstile will open.

Oh, you will need your card to exit the tube station, so don't throw it away or let it get lost in the bottom of your bag.

So yes to the on day travelcard...and use it when i go in the turnstyle and when i go out...each and every time I use it that day.

I assume I use that one card ALL day...

Off peak or after morning rush hour (9:30am) will take you anywhere in zones 1-2 for 5.6GBP until about 4:30 in the morning. So yes, all day

So yes to the on day travelcard...and use it when i go in the turnstyle and when i go out...each and every time I use it that day.

I assume I use that one card ALL day...

Yes just use that one card all day, don't lose it
Also you can use it to get on buses, you must get on at the front (by the driver) and hold it up so he can read the front

Also there's no "downtown" area for London, it's kinda spread out into neighbourhoods.

The cost for a Day Travelcard for Zone 1 is the same as a Day Travelcard for Zone 1 & 2, so if you're not sure how far out you might need to go, you could just get a card for Zone 1 & 2 to be safe.

I would recommend buying the zone 1 & 2 day travelcard as well, especially as it costs the same as the zone 1 only card . When I travel to London, I usually only visit Central London (Oxford Street, the museums, Covent Garden, the US Embassy etc.), but I usually buy a zone 1 & 2 travelcard just in case I end up having to go somewhere in zone 2 during the day (I sometimes buy a zone 1-4 travelcard - if I'm going elsewhere in London too).