Are Oyster cards free?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock. Children under 11 travel free on most public transport services in London when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, or with a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard. Children aged 11 to 15 years old can get free or discounted travel with a Zip Oyster photocard, or a Young Visitor discount.

How much is a Oyster card?

A Visitor Oyster card costs £5 (plus postage) and is pre-loaded with pay as you go credit for you to spend on travel. You can choose how much credit to add to your card: £10, £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40 or £50. The credit on your card never expires - it stays there until you use it.

Do I have to pay for a new Oyster card?

Get a new Oyster card

You need to pay £5 and add a minimum amount of pay as you go credit, or a season ticket to your new card to use it straight away. Once you've got your new Oyster card, you can use our TfL Oyster and contactless app.

Is an Oyster card cheaper than a ticket?

The Oyster Card is a magnetic rechargeable plastic card valid for all of London's public transport. It not only simplifies the payment system, but it is also cheaper than paying for a single journey ticket every time you ride the Underground, bus, DLR or Overground.

Who is entitled to free Oyster?

The 60+ Oystercard provides free travel on Transport for London (TfL) services for all Londoners when they reach 60 years old. The scheme is run by Transport for London and it bridges the gap for older Londoners since the age of eligibility for the London Council's Freedom Pass was raised by the Government.

How to get free Oyster Card within 1 minute

Are buses in London still free?

All buses in London are cash-free.

Is Oyster card free for over 60s?

If you're 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on our transport services with an Oyster photocard.

Is there a daily cap on Oyster cards?

Make as many pay as you go journeys as you like using contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card in one day or in one week and we'll cap your fare so you don't pay more.

How do Oyster cards work?

An Oyster card is a smart card that you add money to, so you can pay as you go. You can pay as you go to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, most Elizabeth line, Emirates Air Line and Thames Clippers River Bus services. You can also travel on most National Rail services in London and some outside London.

What happens if you forget to tap out Oyster card?

Please wait at least 48 hours as you might receive an automatic refund: Oyster - we'll automatically add it to your card the next time you touch in or out of a rail journey. Contactless - the refund will show on your next card statement, or we will adjust the fares charged when you next travel.

Why should I get an Oyster card?

The best reason to get an Oyster card is cost savings and convenience! It is significantly cheaper to travel in London using an Oyster card than it is to purchase individual tickets for each trip.

Can I use someone else's Oyster card?

Yes, you can use someone else's oyster card. You can top it up yourself with cash or credit card at the ticketing machines at any station. Nobody asks for ID or anything like that, you'll be fine.

How do I get an Oyster card in the UK?

What zones can I use my Oyster card?

You can use your Oyster card on all Southern trains within the London Zones 1-6 – as well as on buses, Tubes, Trams, The Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services in London.

What is the cheapest way to get around London?

The cheapest way to travel is with an Oyster card. An Oyster card allows you to travel between all parts of London on the Underground, Trams (DLR), Overground, some river boats, Emirates Air Line, and the iconic red London buses.

Is a Visitor Oyster card worth it?

Worth it? Never by a Travelcard or Oyster in advance. Visitor Oyster can only hold PAYG (no Travelcards) and there's a fee to buy it (rather than a refundable deposit with the standard version) but I think the card makes a nice momento/souvenir so I'm not as hard on it as some people.

Do you need an Oyster card to travel in London?

You can get a standard Oyster card in London if you don't have a contactless card or device, or a Visitor Oyster card. You pay £5 and then add pay as you go credit or a Travelcard to pay for your journeys.

What happens if you tap in and out at the same station?

Same station exits

If you touch contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card on a yellow card reader when you enter a station, and then touch out to exit it within a short period of time, you'll be charged a same station exit: Between 0 - 2 minutes: a maximum fare.

How do you use Oyster card on bus?

To use an Oyster card, touch the card on the yellow reader at the gates as you enter and end your journey. You don't need to touch out at the end of your journey on buses and trams.

What do you get free at 60 UK?

In the UK, everyone over the age of 60 gets free prescriptions and NHS eye tests. You can also get free NHS dental treatment if you're over 60 and claiming pension guarantee credits or other benefits if you're under state pension age.

What is the difference between a Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card?

Using the pass

The pass allows free travel on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. Pass holders also get a discounted fare on River services and the Emirates Air Line. 60+ Oyster pass holders are not entitled to free travel on services outside of London.

What is a 60+ Oyster card?

Londoners over the age of 60 are eligible to apply for a 60+ Oyster Card which allows entitles them to free travel on TfL services and some national rail services. Older Person's Freedom Passes provide free travel in London and on bus services elsewhere in the country.