Oyster Card & London Public Transport
The Oyster Card is a rechargeable plastic card for the entire London public transport system (Tube, Bus, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth Line, Tram, some train routes). It is cheaper than single tickets and has a daily price cap (Daily Cap).
Oyster Card vs. Contactless
For several years, you can use a contactless credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or your smartphone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) instead of the Oyster Card — same prices, same Daily Cap. For most tourists, the contactless credit card is the most convenient option: no deposit, no top-up, no return.
Prices (Oyster/Contactless, Zone 1–2)
| Transport | Single Fare | Daily Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Tube / DLR / Overground | £2.80 (Peak: £3.50) | £8.10 |
| Bus / Tram | £1.75 (Flat Fare) | £5.25 |
Note: Paper tickets (single tickets at the machine) cost £6.70 for Zone 1 — more than twice as much as with Oyster/Contactless. ALWAYS use Oyster or contactless!
Tip: The Tube runs until about 00:30. On Friday and Saturday, the Night Tube operates continuously on some lines (Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly). Buses run 24/7.
