Getting around – transport for London

What is a London Oyster Card?

The London Oyster Card is a rechargeable travelcard that can be used on transport for London. If you buy a London Pass + Travel package, this will include a sightseer credits package (London Pass) and a pre-paid Oyster Card (travelcard).

  • Access to all London Transport Networks
    • London Underground (Tube)
    • Buses
    • Docklands Light Rail
    • Overground Trains
  • Travel any time of day, any day of the week around Central London
  • Cheapest and most flexible travel around the city
  • Save hassle of buying daily tickets as the Oyster Card is your all-inclusive travel card
  • Save money with daily credit limits as you won't be charged after 3 journeys

A London Oyster Card is the cheapest way to travel around the city, it covers journeys across London’s public transport networks including the Tube, buses, overground trains and DLR, and can be used any time of the day throughout the week.

How does the London Pass + Oyster Card work?

When you buy a London Pass + Travel  – your electronic Oyster Card will be pre-loaded with a credit to match your London Pass duration. For example, if you buy a 2-day London Pass + Travel, you’ll get an Oyster Card with enough credit to cover 2 days of travel in London.

Find out more about prepaid Oyster Card credit here.

To use the Oyster Card, all you need to do in tap in and out of the ticket barriers when entering a London Underground, Overground or DLR station or when boarding a bus. Thanks to Transport for London’s daily credit cap, you will only spend up to a certain amount each day on travel, meaning you can take as many journeys are you want within 24 hours for a set price.

If you use up your pre-loaded credit, you can easily top up your Oyster Card with cash or card at any TFL ticket counter. The Oyster Card is separate from your London Pass so you can start using your Oyster Card and it will not activate your London Pass; you can also continue using your Oyster Card after your London Pass expires.

Please note: The Oyster Card is owned and operated by Transport for London (TFL), which means there currently is no mobile Oyster Card option. The London Pass + Travel package is not currently available for Mobile London Pass.

Did you know... 9/10 of London's top attractions are in Central London - so you would only spend £6.80 credit a day staying within zones 1-2.

How does the Oyster Card daily limit work?

A single journey on the London Underground in central London (between zones 1 - 2) costs just £2.40 credit. The maximum credit spend limit is just £6.80 which means if you're sightseeing across the city and making multiple journeys that day, any travel after your third journey won't cost you any credit!

This spend limit also works across all other zones, so if your hotel is further out of the city centre, you still won’t be charged from your third journey onwards; helping your credit stretch even further for the duration of your sightseeing adventure.

Learn more about how you can save on a daily basis with your Oyster Travelcard.

London’s transport zones are separated into zones 1 – 9, the further outside central London (zones 1 -2) you travel, the more expensive the individual fare. If you plan to travel in and out of zones 1 – 2 with your prepaid London Pass + Travel Oyster Card, please note your credit may be used up faster and you may need to top up your Oyster Card during your visit.

Please note: Children under 11 years of age can travel for free on London Transport with an Adult holding a valid Oyster Card. Children between 11 – 15 with a 1, 2, 3 and 6 day London Pass + Travel package will receive a Paper Travelcard, not an Oyster Card.

Travel around London the easy way with a handy tube map - download for free and start exploring:

DOWNLOAD LONDON UNDERGROUND MAP

UP NEXT:
HOW TO USE THE OYSTER CARD