What type of Oyster card do I need?

There are two types of Oyster card. If you buy in London you get the standard Oyster card, if you buy outside London including airport trains and National Express coaches, overseas agents and you will get a Visitor Oyster card.

What types of Oyster cards are there?

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.

What is the difference between an Oyster card and a Visitor Oyster card?

A Visitor Oyster card can be delivered to your home before your visit, or Oyster cards can be purchased at all London airports and stations. Visitor Oyster card holders also enjoy a range of special offers and discounts across the city.

What's the difference between Oyster cards?

Oyster / Contactless payment cards price caps v Travelcard prices. 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.

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.

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

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 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.

What is contactless Oyster card?

Contactless – The most recent payment option for travel in London is a bank issued credit or debit card which has been enabled for contactless transactions. This means that the card has a chip in it which can be read wirelessly when held near a contactless enabled reader.

Is contactless cheaper than buying a ticket?

You can add money to an Oyster card or use contactless (card or device) straight away. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).

Can two persons use one 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.

Can I use my Oyster card from Gatwick to London?

Yes, you can travel between London and Gatwick using your Oyster card, although it's not always the cheapest ticket to Gatwick.

Are Oyster cards worth it?

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 you get an Oyster card if you don't live in London?

The TfL website says very clearly that you must be living at a London address to qualify for the 18+ Oyster Card. There is nothing to prevent you for obtaining a standard Oyster Card, they are available to anyone.

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.

How long are Oyster cards valid for?

If you use Oyster to pay as you go, it does not have an expiry date. It will sit on your card until you are ready to use it again. However, if you do not use for two years it will stop working, even if you still have money on it to pay as you go.

What happens if you don't tap in Oyster?

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.

What happens if you forget to tap out using contactless?

If you forget to tap in or out with your contactless card you'll get the same maximum fare as you would with Oyster.

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.

Do you have to register an Oyster card?

This issue will only affect those buying an Oyster card or topping it up at a station, rather than online, as to order or add funds to an Oyster card online you would have to register it. Around 70% of Oyster cards are not registered. The vast majority of these will have been bought at self-service machines.

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?

Are buses still free in London?

All buses in London are cash-free.

Can I use Oyster card on national rail?

Oyster PAYG can be used for on all journeys on National Rail, London Underground, DLR, London Bus and London Trams services wholly within the London Fare Zones area, and PAYG can also be used on Southeastern's HS1 service between St Pancras International and Stratford International, Gatwick Express and Southern ...

How long does it take for an Oyster card to arrive?

We'll post your 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to you within one week of applying. You apply online and need to provide: Active email address. A colour image of your child's valid, machine-readable passport.