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Can I just use my debit card on the underground?

Anyone with a contactless debit or credit card can use it to pay for travel in London. It's ideal if you don't have or want an Oyster card. Or if you run out of pay as you go credit on your Oyster card.



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1. Get an Oyster card. As you move around London you will spot locals tapping something against a yellow card reader at the underground turnstiles, on buses, trams, and even on the Thames Clipper Uber boat. This is an Oyster card, and it is an incredible 50% cheaper than buying single tickets or a paper travelcard.

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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.

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You will be charged the single fare to the end of the route, so always remember to tap off in order to pay the correct fare. If you do forget to tap off please contact customer services. To find out more about Tap On Tap Off Contactless visit our FAQ section on the Contactless Portal.

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No. Each person must have a valid ticket for travel whether that's a cash single, Oyster payment or contactless payment. No you can't. I know passing back cards works on some flat-fare metro systems, but the Underground has zonal fares so each person must have their own card.

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You may be able to complete your journey, but your card will then be temporarily stopped and you won't be able to use it to make any further journeys until the outstanding amount is paid to TfL. However, you should still be able to use your card with other retailers.

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If the time between touching in at the start and touching out at the end of your journey is more than the maximum journey time limit, you'll be charged two maximum pay as you go fares. A single maximum fare is: up to £9.40 in Zones 1-9. up to £26.00 beyond Zone 9, including on the Heathrow Express.

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No, but we do recommend that you set up a TfL online account and register your card. This gives you access to added benefits, plus you'll be able to see up to 12 months of journey and payment history. If you don't register your card, you'll only be able to view seven days' worth of journey history.

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This payment method works by tapping a payment card or other device near a point-of-sale terminal equipped with contactless payment technology. Contactless payment is also referred to as tap-and-go or tap by some banks and retailers.

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There is no price difference between the Oyster card and contactless card. Every time you travel on London's public transport, your contactless payment card is charged the same fare as your Oyster, including cap prices (the maximum amount you'll pay daily and weekly to travel throughout London).

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If you're 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on our transport services with an Oyster photocard.

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