Do you need an Oyster card to travel in London?

Do I need my own Oyster card if I'm travelling in a group? Yes, each person travelling needs their own Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card. If you are coming to London in a group of 10 or more people who plan to travel around the capital together, you can buy a Group Day Travelcard*.

Is it cheaper to use an Oyster card or contactless?

There is a very small financial advantage to using a contactless card if you're in London for more than a week and travel extensively every single day (weekly capping) but otherwise it's no cheaper than using an Oyster.

Can you travel on London buses without an Oyster card?

London's iconic double-decker buses are a convenient and cheap way to travel around the city, with plenty of sightseeing opportunities along the way. London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride.

Can I use my bank card instead of Oyster?

As of today, you can board buses and tube trains in London by simply swiping your credit or debit card. Handily for visitors, tourists or anyone who's left their Oyster card in their other pantaloons, you no longer need to buy a paper ticket or top up your Oyster.

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.

How To Travel Around London and Buy an Oyster Card - Important Tips!

Where should a first time tourist stay in London?

Mayfair is the best area to stay in London for first time visitors to the city because of its proximity to Hyde Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The architecture and tiny side streets also make Mayfair one of the most instagrammable spots in London.

Are buses in London still free?

All buses in London are cash-free.

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.

How much is a day Travelcard in London?

What are the different London Travelcard prices? Travelcard prices start at £14.40 for a central London 1 day Travelcard and go up to £70.30 for a 7 day Travelcard covering zones 1-6. Child Travelcards are approximately half these prices.

Are Oyster cards free?

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. Who is it for?

How do you travel around London?

Is an Oyster card cheaper?

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.

Can I use my phone as an Oyster card?

TfL has launched its own official smartphone app, for checking Oyster card balances. The new app enables iPhone and Android smartphone owners to use their phone to add pay as you go credit or Travelcards to their Oyster card.

Can I use Apple Pay as an Oyster card?

You simply swipe your card at the ticket barriers just like an Oyster card. If you are not familiar with Oyster, please read the Oyster card page to bring you up to speed. You can add supported payment cards to Apple Pay and then use your iPhone or Apple Watch to make contactless payments.

Why should I get an Oyster card?

The advantages of an Oyster card are that you can top up your credit online and add an electronic 7 Day Travelcard onto the card. You can also get an Oyster card before you arrive in London if you live in the UK. If you do not live in the UK, you can still get an Oyster card but only when you arrive in London.

What are the travel zones in London?

The 'Zone' System Explained

When it comes to getting around, London is divided into 'zones' 1-6, with 'Zone 1' being the city centre and 'Zone 6' being the outskirts of the city. The system itself exists as a method for TfL (Transport for London) to calculate a customer's travel distance and charge accordingly.

Do Londoners get free travel?

Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including trams, National Rail services, the Underground, river services and buses – and free local bus journeys nationally. If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you: you've reached State Pension age.

How do you pay for the bus in London?

You can travel using pay as you go with contactless (card or device) or your Oyster card. You can also travel using your Oyster card with a 7 Day, Monthly and Annual Bus & Tram Pass.

How much is a London bus to buy?

However, typical prices of the vehicles include: Hydrogen fuel cell-powered double decker bus: £545,000 (based on deal for route 7 buses) Electric double decker bus: £400,000 (a hybrid was around £300,00 although these cannot be bought anymore) Electric single decker bus: up to £340,000.

What is the cheapest month to travel to London?

The most affordable time to visit London will almost always be the winter months of January and February, as the holiday season is over and there's not a whole lot going on. Hotels in London are almost always busy, so there usually isn't a season in which you can expect much better prices on your hotel room.

What is the best month to go to London?

The best time to visit London is March through May when the temperatures are mild and the city's parks are green and blooming. However, late spring – along with summer – is also prime tourist season, and hotel and flight prices reflect the surge.

Where should you avoid in London?