Oyster CardsOyster PAYG is now valid on Southeastern High Speed services between London St. Pancras and Stratford International. Oyster is also valid on Docklands Light Railway services.
You can use contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card to pay as you go on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, most Elizabeth line services, IFS Cloud Cable Car and River Bus services. You can also travel on most National Rail services in London and some outside London.
You can use Oyster Pay As You Go in London on all suburban trains stopping in Zones 1 – 9 and journeys to: Broxbourne, Rye House, St. Margarets, Ware and Hertford East. Gatwick Airport.
If you do not tap out your Oyster card, you will be charged the maximum fare for that journey. This this because most fares are based on zone, distance and time of travel. For you to pay the correct fare, the TfL charging system needs to know your destination station. Tapping out tells TfL the entirety of your journey.
However, if you plan on using public transport regularly in The London area, then an Oyster Card should be the better option for you. This is because you'll be eligible to get a Railcard (which can only be connected to Oyster cards, not contactless cards) and get consistent discounts off travel in the city.
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.
Oyster cards are electronic smartcards that are used to pay for public transport in London. Visitor Oyster cards, Oyster cards and contactless payment cards are the cheapest way to travel in London.
Cons: A £7 cost applies when you get a standard or visitor card. You'll need to top it up in advance of travel. You can't use an Oyster card at any station between Reading and Iver.