How much do you get charged if you forget to tap out?

If you forget to tap out on public transport (such as London Underground/TfL), you will likely be charged a maximum, incomplete journey fare, which is often £7.70 to £9.40 for Tube/rail services. Forgetting to tap off on buses often results in a higher fare, usually covering the rest of the route.

What happens if you tap in but forgot to tap out?

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. You can manually complete your journey by creating a Transport for London (TfL) account or logging in to your existing account.

How much will TfL charge me for not tapping out?

If the time between touching in at the start and touching out at the end of your journey is more than the maximum journey time limit, you'll be charged two maximum pay as you go fares. A single maximum fare is: up to £9.40 in Zones 1-9. up to £26.00 beyond Zone 9, including on the Heathrow Express.

What if you forgot to tap out?

You will get an error message the next time you try to tap in at the MRT gantry, and have to go to the control station where the staff will ask you where was the last station you alighted and proceed to do the deduction from there.

Can you get fined for not tapping out?

If you don't touch in or out at the start and end of your journey, you may be charged a penalty fare or may be prosecuted.

How to pay for public transport in London (2025 UPDATE)

Why did TfL charge me 20p?

Once the distance has reached 9,623.7 metres then there is a charge of 20p for each additional 66.6 metres or 14.3 seconds (whichever is reached first)

What happens if I forgot to 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.

Is zone 1 the most expensive?

Yes, for London's public transport (Tube, buses, DLR), Zone 1, the central area, is generally the most expensive for single journeys and daily travel caps because it contains most major attractions, but you can sometimes find cheaper fares by cleverly crossing into it during off-peak times or by using specific Railcards, though staying out of Zone 1 usually costs less overall if you're not going far. 

What is the penalty fare?

A Penalty Fare is an on-the-spot fare issued to anyone who does not have a valid ticket for their journey when they have had the opportunity to purchase one.

Is there a 100% limit on contactless?

While the contactless card limit is £100, you can now make payments over £100 using your mobile phone, providing your bank and the merchant in question authorises them. It's more secure than carrying cash, and quicker than Chip and PIN.

How do I avoid TFL overcharges?

You'll pay the right fare if you touch in and out with the same card. Always use the same contactless card or device, or Oyster card to touch in and out. For example, if you touch in with your iPhone and touch out with your Apple Watch or contactless card, you'll be charged for two incomplete journeys.

Is it cheaper to tap in or buy a ticket?

Generally, tapping in (contactless/Oyster) is cheaper than buying a single paper ticket because of daily/weekly price caps and being similar to an off-peak fare, but buying advance tickets or using railcards on paper tickets can sometimes be cheaper, especially for longer journeys or with discounts not applied to tap-to-pay. For regular commutes, a season ticket is usually best, while tap-in is easiest for occasional travel. 

How many times will TFL try to take payment?

We will not seek payment on more than three occasions nor more than once a day nor for longer than 30 days after your payment was declined.

Do you get fined if you don't tap out?

The Short Answer: Yes, You'll Be Charged — Sometimes a Lot

That's not a penalty fare or fine — it's just how the system works. Here's what that means in real numbers: Contactless card users: charged a “maximum fare” for your journey — often £7.70 to £9.40, depending on zones and time.

Why did TfL only charge 10p?

You ever noticed a random 10 P charge from TFL? Well, it's actually not a fare. It's just a temporary check to make sure your card is valid before you travel.

What is a TfL penalty charge?

London road user charging

We may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if you drive within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in a vehicle that does not meet the emissions standards and you do not pay the correct daily charge. Pay a PCN. Challenge a PCN.

Why did TfL charge me 15 pounds?

Depending on how many zones you're traveling between, you're probably hitting daily cap of 10 to 16 pounds Also, make sure you're always using the same card so tfl can know it's you and charge the correct fair, this includes using only the card or apple pay.

What is the 1 hour bus rule in London?

London's "1 hour rule" refers to the Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys for a single £1.75 fare within one hour of your first tap-in, using the same contactless or Oyster card. It means you can switch between buses and trams as much as you like, even linking with the Tube or DLR (though the main benefit is bus/tram hopping), without paying again, provided your subsequent taps are within 60 minutes of the initial touch.