You only need to "touch in" (tap) on London buses because they operate on a flat-fare system (£1.75), regardless of distance traveled. Transport for London states that touching out on buses can lead to overcharging. This system differs from the Tube, DLR, and trains, which require tapping in and out to calculate fares based on zones.
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.
What happens if you tap on a bus but don't tap off?
If you don't tap off the bus, you'll typically be charged the single fare to the very end of the route, which is usually the highest possible fare for that bus, rather than the shorter distance you actually traveled, leading to overcharging. This often means you miss out on fare capping and pay more than intended, but you can usually contact the bus company's customer service to get a refund for the overcharge.
On a bus or tram you only need to touch in. Because where you touch in and out tells us where you've travelled from and to, so we can charge you the right fare for your journey.
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 pay for public transport in London (2025 UPDATE)
Is it cheaper to tap card or Oyster?
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.
You'll get charged the maximum fare for that particular bus route 🤯 Remember to tap in and out when boarding/alighting to ensure that you pay the right fare!
Transport for London (TfL) does have air conditioning fitted in bus cabs to help drivers regulate the temperature during hot summer days. During the pandemic, it was necessary to switch off and modify some of these to make sure they drew in air solely from outside the vehicle.
What happens if you forget to tap out on a London bus?
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.
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.
“Is Tap to Pay less safe than a chip insert?” No, Tap to Pay is actually equally or more secure. Both methods use encrypted EMV technology, but contactless keeps your card in your possession, which helps avoid physical tampering.
If you travel on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car or River Bus services in between Hopper journeys, you'll be charged a standard fare. The Hopper fare will still apply to any further bus and tram journeys made within one hour of first touching in.
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).
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.
Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket online or on the bus?
It's almost always cheaper to buy your bus ticket online or via the operator's app before you board, with savings on single fares and significant discounts on multi-day or monthly passes, as onboard purchases often incur a premium or require exact change, making digital booking more convenient and economical.
Tap On Tap Off allows passengers to use a contactless debit card, credit card, or smart device to pay for travel. Customers simply tap on when they board the bus and tap off when they leave, with no need to select a ticket in advance or handle cash.
