Can you pay with Oyster?

All you need to do is touch in and out using contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card to pay the right fare. Pay as you go is cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).

What can you pay with Oyster?

Oyster and contactless payments

You can use Oyster and contactless to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, the Cable Car, Elizabeth line, London Overground and National Rail services in London. London is divided into nine fare Zones.

Is it cheaper to use contactless or Oyster?

There's no difference between Oyster and contactless in the amount you will be charged. An Oyster card costs £7 though, so if you have a contactless payment option and are comfortable using that, that may be the better option for you.

Can I use the Oyster app instead of a card?

The app will only work with contactless cards and/or Oyster cards; not Oyster photocards or other smartcards. You can only use the app if your Oyster card shows a 'D' symbol in the bottom left of the reverse side, as shown in the below image.

Do you have to tap in and out with an Oyster card?

Always touch your contactless card, device, or Oyster card on the yellow card reader at the start of your journey. You don't need to touch out at the end of your journey. If you do, you may pay more than you need to.

HOW TO PAY FOR LONDON UNDERGROUND // Oyster vs Contactless Card

Can I just tap my card on the train?

About pay as you go with contactless

Just touch your card or device on a card reader at the start of your journey and touch out with the same card or device at the end of your journey.

How do you use a contactless Oyster card?

Touch in with your Oyster card 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.

What to do if you don't have an Oyster card?

If you don't have an Oyster card or contactless, you can still buy single and return paper tickets. However, pay as you go is usually cheaper. Find the price for a single journey using our single fare finder.

What are the disadvantages of the Oyster card?

You're likely to leave an unused amount on the card at the end of your trip. Oyster cards can't be used at stations between Reading and Iver on the Elizabeth Line. There's a £7 or £5 upfront charge for each standard or visitor card. Cards must be topped up before travel.

What's the point of an Oyster card?

A Visitor Oyster card is a smartcard. It's a quick and easy way to pay for journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, River Bus and most National Rail services in London. Put money on your Visitor Oyster card and use it to pay as you go.

Can two people use the same contactless card on the tube?

2.4 Only one person at a time can use the same contactless card or device for travel.

Can I use a credit card instead of Oyster?

If your bank card shows the contactless payment symbol, you can use it to pay as you go straight away. You'll pay an adult rate fare. Many contactless cards issued outside the UK can be used to pay as you go for travel.

Is Oyster cheaper than debit?

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.

Can I use Oyster to Gatwick?

Can I use Oyster or contactless payment card to travel to and from London Gatwick? Yes, you can use either Oyster or contactless payment cards at London Gatwick to travel to or from central London.

What happens if you run out of money on Oyster?

If you didn't have any pay as you go credit on your Oyster card, your balance will be negative and you will need to top up your card before you can travel again - even if you have a valid Travelcard.

What happens if you forget to tap out of Oyster card?

What happens if you don't touch in and out. If you don't touch in and out, we cannot tell where you've travelled from or to, so your journey will be incomplete. As we cannot work out the right fare for your journey, we'll charge you a maximum fare.

How do I use my contactless card for the first time?

All you need to do is hold your contactless card over the reader to pay. The first time you use your contactless card, you'll need to use chip and PIN or sign for your purchase.

Can I put my Oyster card on Apple pay?

Many other countries have successfully integrated their travel cards with Apple Wallet, making it more convenient for passengers. Since Oyster cards cannot be added to Apple Wallet, I am left with no choice but to carry an extra physical card.

What happens if you tap on a train but don't tap off?

If you do not tap on and tap off correctly

you will be charged the default fare for an incomplete trip which is the maximum possible fare for that service, based on your Opal card type. You will never be charged over the Daily Travel Cap. you will miss out on Opal benefits.

How to pay for trains in London?

You can pay as you go using contactless (card or device), an Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card. It also offers great value as pay as you go is cheaper than buying single tickets and you get daily and weekly capping.

What happens if I don't tap out on the train?

If you don't touch in and out, we can't tell where you've travelled from or to. This means your journey will be incomplete and you will be charged the maximum fare.

Is there a difference between Oyster and contactless?

Pay as you go with contactless: No, just turn up, touch in and go. Pay as you go with Oyster: Yes, you must add money to your Oyster card before you travel. If you set up Auto top-up, TfL will automatically top up your Oyster card with either £10, £20 or £40 from your bank account if your balance falls below £20.

Should I get a visitor Oyster card?

If you plan to stay in London for a couple of days and make two to four journeys a day, or want to travel to the outskirts of the city, then a Visitor Oyster card may be the cheapest option. It is delivered to your home by post before you arrive in London, saving you time when you arrive.