Paying as you go is the simplest and most flexible way to navigate London’s extensive public transport network. Instead of pre-calculating fares, you only pay for the journeys you actually make. This system ensures you’re always charged the correct fare, without the need for single-journey tickets.
Pay as you go can be easily accessed using contactless payment methods, including your bank card or mobile device, a standard Oyster card, or a Visitor Oyster card designed specifically for tourists.
Choosing pay as you go not only simplifies your travel but also offers excellent value. It’s more economical than purchasing individual tickets, and it incorporates daily and weekly capping to limit your expenses, no matter how much you travel within a given period. Remember to always use the same card or device to touch in at the start and touch out at the end of each journey (only touch in is required on buses and trams) to ensure accurate fare calculation.
Contactless and Mobile Payments
Using a contactless debit or credit card, or a mobile payment device like your phone or smartwatch, provides a seamless pay as you go experience across all London transport services. This method is particularly convenient for visitors as it eliminates the need to purchase a separate travel card.
For international visitors using non-UK cards, it’s worth noting that overseas transaction fees or charges might be applied by your bank. It’s advisable to check with your bank regarding potential charges before you travel to London.
Visitor Oyster Card
For tourists and short-term visitors, the Visitor Oyster card is an excellent option. This smartcard comes pre-loaded with pay as you go credit, ready for immediate use on London’s public transport. It’s specifically designed to be purchased before you arrive in London, saving you valuable time upon arrival by avoiding ticket queues.
The Visitor Oyster card offers the same daily capping benefits as other pay as you go methods, ensuring you never pay more than the daily cap for travel within the zones you use. This makes budgeting for your London travel straightforward and predictable.
Refills are simple if you deplete your initial credit; you can easily top up your Visitor Oyster card at Tube station ticket machines. And, if you find yourself with leftover credit at the end of your visit, you can claim a refund of up to £10 at most Tube station ticket machines, designated Visitor Centres, or conveniently online after you return home via the Transport for London (TfL) website.
The versatility of the Visitor Oyster card extends to airport transfers. It’s valid on the Tube, Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express, and Gatwick Express services, facilitating cost-effective travel between London’s major airports and the city center.
Visitor Oyster cards can be purchased online in advance from various retailers, ensuring you’re travel-ready the moment you arrive in London.
Oyster Card
If you prefer a physical card and don’t have a contactless payment method, or if you are a resident in London, the standard Oyster card is readily available. For a one-off £7 fee, you can obtain an Oyster card and then load it with pay as you go credit or a Travelcard, depending on your travel needs.
Oyster cards are widely accessible throughout London and can be purchased from:
- Tube, London Overground, and Elizabeth line stations (excluding stations between West Drayton and Reading).
- A vast network of over 3,700 local shops across London, identified as Oyster ticket stops.
- Official Visitor Centres located at key tourist hubs.
- Online via the TfL website, although online purchases are currently limited to UK addresses.
For those planning an extended stay of a week or longer, adding a Travelcard to your Oyster card can be a cost-effective strategy, especially if you anticipate using public transport daily.
Travelcards
Travelcards offer unlimited travel within specified zones for a set period. They are valid on all bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and National Rail services within London, providing complete travel freedom.
Day Travelcards and Group Day Travelcards can be purchased from several locations:
- Conveniently online before your arrival in London through the TfL Visitor Shop and the VisitBritain Shop.
- Directly from ticket machines at all Tube stations.
- At ticket offices located within London Overground and Elizabeth line stations.
- Most National Rail stations serving London.
- Visitor Centres situated around the city.
It’s important to note that for travel within central London (Zones 1-9), pay as you go with daily capping generally works out cheaper than buying a Day Travelcard. Travelcards become more beneficial when travelling extensively across multiple zones or for consecutive days.
Travelling with Children
London’s public transport is family-friendly, with children under five years old travelling for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
For children under 11, even greater savings are available. They can travel without charge on:
- All buses and trams.
- Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and certain National Rail services when travelling with an adult using pay as you go or holding a valid ticket (excluding Group Day Travelcards). Up to four children can travel free per adult.
Child-rate Day Travelcards and Group Day Travelcards are also available for purchase online in advance via the TfL Visitor Shop and VisitBritain Shop, providing options for families depending on their travel patterns.
For older children aged 11-15, a Young Visitor discount can be applied to a standard Oyster card or Visitor Oyster card by a member of staff at a Tube station. This discount provides a significant 50% reduction on adult pay as you go fares for a period of up to 14 days, making London transport even more affordable for families with older children.
