Which tube card is best for tourists?

For most tourists in London, using contactless payment (bank card or mobile device) is the best option for speed and convenience, offering daily and weekly price capping. Alternatively, a Visitor Oyster card (£5 cost) is ideal if you prefer a physical card,, can be bought in advance, or need to apply a 50% Young Visitor discount (ages 11-15).

What is the cheapest way to use the tube as a tourist?

Pay as you go

You don't have to work out the cost of your journey in advance. 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 is the best card for tourists in London?

Whether you're making a one-off trip or you're a regular visitor, using an Oyster travel smartcard is the easiest way to get around on the public transport network in London.

Which is better, an Oyster card or 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.

What is the London Tube card for tourists?

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.

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

What is the cheapest way to go around London?

A Visitor Oyster Card costs £5. You can then pre-load the card with pay-as-you-go credit, in quantities of £10, £15, £25, £40 or £50. The Visitor Oyster card is the cheapest way of getting around London as the maximum daily charges mean you travel free after you reach the 'daily cap'.

What are the disadvantages of the Oyster card?

Cons

• 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.

Is it cheaper to use contactless on the tube?

Using contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card to pay as you go is the easiest way to travel. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying paper tickets (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).

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.

How to save money on the tube?

Cheaper pay as you go fares are available during off-peak hours, meaning you can save money travelling outside of hours 06:30 – 09:30 and 16:00 – 19:00 on weekdays. Off-peak fares also apply all day on weekends and bank holidays.

How to get 30% off Oyster?

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.

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. 

How to use London Underground as a tourist?

To use the London Tube as a tourist, pay with a contactless card or Visitor Oyster card by tapping in and out at gates (buses/trams only tap in). Use apps like Citymapper or Google Maps to plan routes, identify color-coded lines and directions (northbound, etc.), stand on the right on escalators, let people off first, and move to the middle of the carriage.
 

Is it cheaper to get a Travelcard or Oyster card?

As a general rule a Travelcard is more expensive than an Oyster card or Contactless payment card. The exception is if you make 3 or more journeys for 6 days or more within a 7 day period. In this case a 7 day Travelcard works out cheaper than an Oyster or Contactless payment card.

Which is better, Oyster or contactless?

Much like Oyster cards, contactless cards also have a daily cap and monthly cap for travel fees. Also, contactless cards have an edge over Oyster cards as they do not need to be topped up. Just tap your contactless payment card on the contactless payment symbol, and be on your way.

Is it better to tap or insert a card?

Compared to existing credit and debit card technology, Tap to Pay is generally much safer to use. The RFID field is part of what makes contactless cards so secure.

Can I use my bank card instead of Oyster?

Pay as you go with contactless

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. For example, don't touch in with your iPhone and touch out with your Apple Watch or contactless card.