You'll be TFL-ying around the city in no time.
How To Use An Oyster Card In London
Getting around the big city is smooth sailing once you know how a Transport for London Oyster card makes it that little bit easier.
What Is An Oyster Card?
You can use the electronic smartcard to travel on the bus, tube, tram, DLR, IFS Cable Car, London Overground and National Rail services by simply tapping in on the yellow reader at the gates, and then once again when you exit the station.
Why Should I Get An Oyster Card?
It's one of the cheapest ways to get around the busy capital, as it's 50% cheaper than consistently buying a paper Travelcard or tapping in and out with your normal bank card - and more environmentally friendly too.
How Much Is An Oyster Card And How Much Does It Cost To Use?
The electronic smartcard is available to purchase online for £5 before you arrive in London. You can also purchase one from all Tube, most London Overground and Elizabeth line stations, as well as Oyster ticket shops and many newsagents in the city. There's a daily price cap on the card, meaning you won't have to pay over certain limits (for example, £15.60 per day if you're travelling between zones one and six) unless you're riding the Thames Clippers River Bus. If you're a proud owner of a National Railcard too, you can add it to your Oyster Card account to receive a third off off-peak pay as you go travel. Now that's a bargain.
How Do I Top Up My Oyster Card?
You can top it up at station ticket readers before you embark on your adventure (AKA your commute to work), or online.
Where Can I Use My Oyster Card?
There are nine zones in Transport For London’s services, spanning everywhere from Central London hotspots like Oxford Circus, London Bridge and Waterloo to as far out as Shenfield, Richmond and Amersham - to name a few of the end-of-the-line stations in the London suburban system. You can use your Oyster Card across these, as well as Gatwick Express services from London Victoria and any Thameslink service in zones one to six.
And, if in doubt, a map of all rail services where you can use your trusty city-hoping friend always comes in handy and can be found here.
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