Oyster Card is a convenient way to travel and a smart way to save on public transportation in London.
What is an Oyster Card?
A card you use to pay for public transportation in London. You deposit some money to the card and then pay as you go. Oyster Card is accepted on Tube, DLR, London Overground, and most National Rail services in London. Please note Oyster Card is one of the few ways to pay for your bus ride - cash is not accepted on London buses.
How much is a ticket with Oyster Card vs without one?
Paying for your trip with an Oyster Card is usually less expensive than buying a paper ticket. For example, London Underground Zone 1-2 Single Ride ticket for an Adult is £2.90 peak and £2.30 off-peak with an Oyster Card, versus £4.80 if you pay cash for a Single-ride ticket. Read more about Oyster card fares on Transport for London website. In general, you save a lot when you have an Oyster card.
Visitor Oyster Card
If you plan to use public transportation in London during your leisure visit, consider getting a Visitor Oyster Card. You will save a lot of money, as rates with the Visitor Oyster Card are even less than with a regular Oyster Card.
There are 2 ways to get your Visitor Oyster Card and you have to do it before the trip: you can buy it online from Transport for London website and it will be mailed to your home address (thus allow enough time for delivery) or you can find a local agent who sells Visitor Oyster card. See the list of agents in your country.
The great thing about Visitor Oyster Card is it does not expire, and you can use it on your next trip to London or give it to your friends. They will only have to refill the balance, but purchasing new card will not be required.
Transport for London website has a lot of useful information and videos that can help you plan your transportation around London in the best possible way.
Where can Oyster Card be used?
Oyster Card is accepted on Tube, DLR, London Overground, and most National Rail services in London.
You cannot pay for Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express with an Oyster Card.
Where to buy an Oyster Card or a Visitor Oyster Card?
Please see the full list of where you can purchase London public transportation tickets at TFL website.
