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.
People Also Ask
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.
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.
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.
If your card was issued in the UK on Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or American Express and displays the contactless payment symbol, you should be able to use it to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London.
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.
No, you can only pay for one person per journey with a single contactless card, just like with an Oyster card. Find out more about TfL's contactless card service.
You can use Apple Pay to pay as you go across all Transport for London services, including the Underground, buses and trams. Paying for journeys is easy using Apple Pay and works the same as using a contactless card.
You can use a contactless card or mobile device, such as a phone or watch, to pay as you go on all our services. Overseas transaction fees or charges may apply for non-UK cards.
Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe. Check your cards' expiration dates.
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).