Is Oyster cheaper than paper tickets?

It's more than 50% cheaper than buying a paper Travelcard or single tickets with cash. Oyster cards have a daily price cap – once you reach this limit, you won't pay for any additional journeys (excluding Thames Clippers River Bus where there is no capping).

Is it cheaper to use Oyster 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.

Do you save money with oyster?

Oyster does save people a lot of money, but it saves them on buying single tickets *each journey*. If you're travelling about all day, a 1 day paper travelcard still represents the best value for money alongside Oyster which "caps" at the same price as a travelcard.

What is the advantage of an Oyster card?

Supports travelcards: One of the main advantages of the Oyster card is that it supports travelcards. These are fixed payment pre-paid options, where you pay a certain amount for unlimited travel inside specific London zones for a weekly, monthly or annual price.

Is the Oyster card worth it?

It is really worth getting an Oystercard if you are in London for more than one day and you don't already have a contactless card - you can ride the Tube and buses all day to your heart's content.

Contactless Fares Can Be Cheaper Than 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.

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.

Do Oyster cards expire?

Unused credit on your Visitor Oyster card

The pay as you go credit on your Visitor Oyster card never expires so you can keep your card until your next visit, or lend it to family and friends. If you don't need your Visitor Oyster card, you can get the remaining credit refunded.

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.

Are Oyster cards 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.

Does Oyster card cap weekly?

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.

Can you lend an Oyster card?

If you only have pay as you go credit on your Oyster card, you can lend it to someone else. Two people can't use the same contactless or Oyster card for a journey. If you have a Travelcard, Bus & Tram Pass or discount added to your Oyster card, you can't lend it to someone else.

What happens if you get caught using someone else's Oyster card?

Oyster is the electronic touch-and-go card that can be used on bus, tube and overground services in London by residents and visitors to the capital. Most people caught misusing an Oyster card are given a £50 penalty fare – reduced to £25 if they pay quickly.

Can a child use an Oyster card?

Children aged 11-15 can get free and discounted travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard.

What happens if you forget to tap in your 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.

Does Oyster card give unlimited travel?

Travelcards are a flat rate pass where you have unlimited rides for the time period purchased. Oyster / Contactless payment cards are charged on a per journey basis but has a daily maximum you can be charged.

What is cheaper bus or Tube in London?

Bus transport in London is cheaper than Underground travel, and the bus network is very extensive.

Whats the difference between an Oyster card and a Visitor Oyster card?

There are 2 different types of Oyster Cards: a Visitor Oyster Card and a Regular Oyster Card. They function in essentially the same way, but with a few key differences. For example, both cards operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, but only the Regular Oyster Card can also load travelcards, which are 1 or 7 day passes.

Is it cheaper to use Oyster on National Rail?

Oyster fares on National Rail

With Oyster PAYG you get the cheapest appropriate single fare on National Rail services in London which means you pay less than the cash fare. There are peak and Off-Peak Oyster single fares on National Rail with the fare set when you touch in at the start of your journey.