To get around London cheaply, use buses, the Tube, or Santander Cycles, utilizing contactless payment or an Oyster card to benefit from daily price caps. Buses are the most budget-friendly option at a flat rate of £1.75 per journey, with the "Hopper" fare allowing free transfers within one hour. Avoid peak hours (6:30-9:30 AM and 4-7 PM) for cheaper Tube fares.
What is the most affordable way to get around London?
The cheapest way to get around London is by using Tube or London metro. You can get an Oyster card which is the prepaid card for using in Tube stations. You can load your Oyster card with day or weekly pass. Day pass costs you around 7 - 8 pounds. Weekly pass costs around 40 - 50 pounds.
No, an Oyster card is generally not cheaper than tapping with contactless (bank card or phone), as they both use the same "pay as you go" (PAYG) system and have identical fare caps and discounts, making them the same price for most journeys. Contactless is often more convenient as it avoids the £5 Oyster card cost and the hassle of topping up, but Oyster can prevent foreign transaction fees if using a foreign bank card.
What is the cheapest way to pay for transport in London?
Using pay as you go (paying only for the journeys you make when you travel) is the easiest and cheapest way to pay for travel in London. You don't have to work out the cost of your journey in advance or buy tickets. You can pay as you go using: A contactless card or device (overseas charges may apply)
“There are clear and distinctive categories – 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% to put aside as savings.” If £1,500 comes into your account each month, this means £750 would go towards your 'needs' – rent, council tax, energy bill, food and transport to and from work.
Is it worth getting an Oyster card for 3 days in London?
If you're visiting London for 3 days or less, the best option is to get the Oyster Card, as it's the most cost-effective system ( £ 6.50 ( US$ 8.76)). For stays of over 4 days, we recommend getting the 7-day Travelcard, since it's cheaper than getting 4 24-hour travelcards.
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.
To apply for a free travel pass (concessionary bus/travel card), you typically apply through your local council or a national transport body (like Transport for Wales/Scotland) by proving your age (e.g., 60+) or disability, residency, and identity with documents (passport, council tax bill, photo) online or in person, but specific requirements vary by region (UK, Ireland, etc.). Check your local authority's website or a national portal like GOV.UK for eligibility and application links.
Initial Cost—The card has an upfront cost of £5, which might not be worth it if you're not travelling much.
Limited Utility – If your month-long stay has you mostly walking to nearby destinations or your travel is limited to specific zones, an Oyster card might not offer much value.
How much money should I put on my Oyster card for 3 days in London?
How much credit will I need? For a single journey on either the Gatwick Express or Heathrow Express, the recommended amount is £25. A day of unlimited travel in central London within zones 1-2 is currently capped at £8.90. A £30 card will cover 3 days of travel in zones 1-2.
Can I use my debit card instead of an Oyster card?
If your bank card shows the contactless payment symbol, you can use it to pay as you go. Always use the same device or contactless card to touch in and out to pay the right fare.
To get 30% off an Oyster card, you need an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which requires you to be 18+, live in a London borough during term, and be a full-time student on a qualifying course, giving you 30% off adult Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes; alternatively, add a Railcard to any Oyster for 1/3 off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares.
The letter following it shows who can travel for free with you: FT-P - you can travel for free. FT+S - your spouse, partner or cohabitant can travel with you for free. FT+C - you can have a person (over 16) travel with you for free.
Luxembourg was the first country to offer free public transport (trams, trains, and buses) for everyone across the entire country. Since 29 February 2020, all public transport has been free in the country, with the exception of the first class on trains. Estonia wants to become entirely zero-fare.
You're only charged on days you use your device in a TravelPass country: $6/day in Mexico and Canada. Good to know: Calling, texting and data use in Mexico and Canada are included at no extra cost with our Unlimited mobile plans. Check your plan features in My Verizon.
On a bus or tram, you only need to touch in. If you touch out at the end of your bus or tram journey, you may end up paying more than you need to. For all other journeys, you always need to touch out, even if the gates are open. If there are no gates, use a free-standing yellow card reader.
Avoid street food. This is a controversial one, but hear us out: We don't mean avoiding London's famous street markets. ...
Choose independent restaurants. While we're on the topic of food, this is a biggie: Don't get swept up in the moment and let the hunger get the best of you. ...
The price you're charged for travel with Oyster or a contactless card is the same - and in both cases the overall amount you can pay in a day or a week is capped. However, using Oyster or a contactless card is cheaper than buying paper tickets for your travel.
When is the cheapest time to visit London? Usually, the period between January and March is the cheapest time to visit London, due to the cool temperatures, occasional rainfall, and lack of public holidays and events.
