Everyone can pay as you go using an Oyster card to travel on our transport services.
Oyster cards
An Oyster card is a smart card that you add money to, so you can pay as you go.
You can pay as you go to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, most Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car and Thames Clippers River Bus services.
You can also travel on most National Rail services in London and some outside London.
You can also add:
Oyster cards aren't accepted at Elizabeth line stations between Reading and Iver.
How to use
Touch your Oyster card in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers to pay the right fare. Only touch in on buses and trams. Find out more about touching in and out.
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.
Where to buy
Find out where to buy an Oyster card.
Create an account
Create a contactless and Oyster account and add your Oyster card to:
- Check your pay as you go credit and top up
- Check your payment and journey history
- Register your card to apply for refunds or replacements
- Report your card if it's lost or stolen so no one else can use it
- Pay unpaid fares
Download the app
Our free TfL Oyster and contactless app lets you manage your Oyster card on the go.
Register your Oyster card
You need to register your Oyster card if you want to apply for refunds or replacements, or if you've added credit or a discount to it.
If you don't register your card and you lose it, your pay as you go credit, Travelcard or Bus & Tram Pass won't be refunded.
To register your card, create a contactless and Oyster account.
Visitor Oyster cards can't be registered.
If you're transferring your credit or discount to a new Oyster card, make at least one journey with it first, wait 24 hours, and then sign in to your contactless and Oyster account. You need to use the password you gave when you added the discount to your old card.
Pay as you go fares
You can check your fare on our single fare finder.
Travel as much as you like in one day or in one week and we'll cap your fare so you don't pay more.
Auto top-up
Using Auto top-up means you'll never run out of pay as you go credit. When your balance goes below £20, we'll automatically top up your Oyster card with either £10, £20 or £40 from your bank account.
Related content
FAQs
Is it cheaper to use Oyster or contactless? As both cards use the same Pay As You Go system and are compatible with the TfL Oyster & Contactless app, the costs are comparable. As a tourist in London, it can be worth getting an Oyster Card as part of the London Pass.
How does a pay as you go Oyster card work? ›
Using Oyster Pay As You Go is usually cheaper than paying cash. However, you must touch in at the start of each journey and touch out at the end to ensure you pay the correct fare – on bus and tram you need only touch in. If you wish to know how much you will be charged for your journey, you can find single fares here.
Can I use my phone as an Oyster card? ›
Using a mobile payment to pay as you go is the same as using a contactless card. You can make mobile payments with devices such as phones, watches, key fobs, stickers or wristbands. You can use different mobile payments to travel on our transport services: Apple Pay.
Does Oyster pay as you go expire? ›
The credit on your card never expires - it stays there until you use it. If you run out of credit on your card, it's easy to top it up and use it again.
How much is a 3 day Oyster card? ›
A £10 Visitor Oyster card covers a full day of unlimited travel in central London within zones 1-2, as the travel price is currently capped at £8.10. A £25 card is ideal for 3 days' travel in zones 1-2.
Is it better to buy a Visitor Oyster card? ›
Visitor Oyster cards are only available to buy before you arrive in London. They're great value and can save you time as you won't have to queue for a ticket. There is a daily cap on fares, you won't pay any more for that day in the zones you travel in.
Can I use my credit card instead of an Oyster card? ›
If you use an Oyster card for travel please see our Oyster privacy page. Contactless payment methods can include bank/credit cards, mobile phone applications, key fobs, wristbands, payment stickers and tags.
What is the difference between Oyster card and visitor Oyster card? ›
Unlike Standard Oyster cards, Visitor Oyster cards are disposable and cannot be topped up. Another difference between the two cards is that Visitor Oyster cards come with a daily price cap, which means that you will only pay a certain amount per day, regardless of how many journeys you make.
Is it worth getting an Oyster card for three days? ›
An Oyster card may be the most cost-effective option if you are only visiting for a few days. A 7 Day Travelcard is a good option if you are visiting for a week and only plan to visit central London. You can also use contactless payment, which has both a daily and weekly fare cap.
Can I buy a visitor Oyster card when I arrive in London? ›
You don't need to touch out at the end of your journey on buses and trams. You can buy a Visitor Oyster card online before you arrive in London, or an Oyster card at TfL Visitor Centres, stations and Oyster ticket shops.
You may be able to complete your journey, but your card will then be temporarily stopped and you won't be able to use it to make any further journeys until the outstanding amount is paid to TfL. However, you should still be able to use your card with other retailers.
Are Oyster cards obsolete? ›
However, there are no plans to stop offering an Oyster option, according to TfL's head of customer payments Mike Tuckett, who joined the ticketing team just after the contract to deliver the technology for the Oyster card was signed in 1998.
What is the cheapest way to use the London Underground? ›
Oyster and contactless payment cards
For most people travelling around London, the cheapest way to get around is by using an Oyster or contactless payment card.
Is there any benefit to using an Oyster card? ›
Benefits of Using an Oyster Card
Not only do you get cheaper fares compared to buying a paper ticket, but it's also way more convenient. Plus, the Visitor Oyster card offers additional discounts on select London attractions!
What are peak times for Oyster pay as you go? ›
Transport for London's 'peak' and 'off-peak' travel relates to Oyster single fares. The peak rate applies from 06:30 to 09:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). At all other times, the off-peak Oyster single fare applies.
Is the fare the same on Oyster and contactless? ›
Every time you make a journey on London's public transport your contactless payment card is charged a fare, the same fare as Oyster cards. Once you reach the daily cap (see below) in a day that is the maximum you will be charged for public transport that day.
