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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You can use a contactless payment card to pay for travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. You will be charged an adult-rate Pay As You Go fare each time you make a journey.
We accept American Express, Discover®, MasterCard®, VISA, Universal Air Travel Plan, Diners Club, JCB or China Union Pay credit and debit cards at ticketing locations. Amtrak ticket agents accept only valid, unexpired cards.
Is it cheaper to use Oyster or contactless? As both cards use the same Pay As You Go system and are compatible with the TfL Oyster & Contactless app, the costs are comparable. As a tourist in London, it can be worth getting an Oyster Card as part of the London Pass.
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.
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.
You can use Oyster or contactless pay as you go (PAYG) to travel at any time on National Rail services (which includes Elizabeth line and London Overground), as well as London Underground, DLR, London Buses and London Trams.
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.
Contactless credit and debit cards let you make purchases by tapping or holding your card over a payment terminal. Using tap to pay can be a more convenient and secure way to make purchases than swiping or inserting your credit card.