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• How exactly do Oyster Cards work? I know that when I board a bus, the display flashes up the expiry date. I also know that the card can be recharged over the web. How is the expiry date validated? Is it something looked up on a central database (buses with radio links?) or stored on the card (in which case, how is it recharged)? --IvorW
  • IvorW:-- As far as I have been able to tell, the cards contain two components: A ticket component with an expiry date, and a prepay component with an amount of cash. If the card is unexpired, the card will permit free travel within the ticket zones. Travel outside the zones (or expiry date) will deduct from the prepay amount.
  • In terms of renewing, the safest way seems to be at a tube station ticket machine, or over the counter. This way, your details on the card (expiry and top-up) get updated immediately.
  • It also seems that the buses check the data that is held on the card's chip rather than linking to a central database.

Note: Q&As on photographic links moved to Wiki Discussion/Photography

• Since Ken Livingstone introduced a flat 70p fare on the buses, do the routes still have a zone structure? In particular, I have a travelcard for zones 1 to 3; does this cover me for journeys outside zone 3? --IvorW
  • The zones do still affect adult single fares and bus passes — the adult single fare for any bus journey including zone 1 is £1 whereas for a journey not including zone 1 the price is 70p. However, any travelcard is valid across all zones for bus travel. --Kake

• Where can I get a decent cup of real hot chocolate in London? As in, comes in a small cup, isn't horribly sweet, and is made with real chocolate? --Kake
  • I think some of the Coffee importers and vendors will be able to help here. Try Monmouth or Drury listed under Category Coffee Shops. --IvorW
  • * Note: Answer on the Swiss Centre removed. The Swiss Centre no longer exists, apart from as a title on the front of a building. --IvorW
  • This is probably a blatant plug, but we sell old-fashioned drinking chocolate (as in, comes in a block and you chop bits off and melt it into milk) at the Natural History Museum... --Dave

• Where exactly are the Bow Bells?
  • Contrary to what some believe, the Bow Bells are not in Bow Church in the East End, but at the Church of St Mary le Bow, on Cheapside in the City of London.