Oyster Card & Contactless Guide

Paying for public transport in London is simpler than it used to be, but there are still choices worth understanding before you arrive — the wrong choice costs money, and the right one saves queuing at ticket machines on a busy platform.

Contactless Bank Card or Phone (Best for Most Visitors)

If your bank card or phone wallet supports contactless payments, this is the easiest and often best option. Tap your card or phone on the yellow reader at the start and end of every Tube, Overground, DLR or Elizabeth line journey, or just tap on for buses. The fares are identical to Oyster, daily and weekly price caps apply automatically, and weekly capping works even if you use different cards across the week (as long as they're linked to the same account). No queuing at a machine, no deposit, no return visit to get a refund.

Oyster Card

A reusable RFID card preloaded with credit or a Travelcard. Costs £7 deposit, refundable when you return the card. Useful if your bank card charges foreign transaction fees on every tap, or if you prefer a dedicated card you don't have to worry about losing alongside your bank card. Buy from any Tube station or Visitor Centre.

Daily & Weekly Price Caps

Both Oyster and contactless have automatic daily price caps — once you hit the daily cap for your zones, you travel free for the rest of that day. Weekly caps also apply on contactless (Monday to Sunday) — you'll never be charged more than the equivalent weekly Travelcard price.

Travelcard

A flat-rate pass for unlimited travel within certain zones — daily or weekly. Usually only better value if you're making a very high number of journeys in a single day. For most visitors, pay-as-you-go with daily capping works out the same or cheaper with more flexibility.

Tips

• Contactless bank card or phone is the simplest option for most visitors — no setup, no deposit.
• Always tap in AND out on the Tube — not tapping out means a penalty fare.
• Buses require only a tap in — no tap out needed.
• Check your bank doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on contactless before relying on it.
• Weekly caps on contactless run Monday–Sunday — maximum saving if your trip starts on a Monday.