A Visitor Oyster card can be delivered to your home before your visit, or Oyster cards can be purchased at all London airports and stations. Visitor Oyster card holders also enjoy a range of special offers and discounts across the city.
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Unlike Standard Oyster cards, Visitor Oyster cards are disposable and cannot be topped up. Another difference between the two cards is that Visitor Oyster cards come with a daily price cap, which means that you will only pay a certain amount per day, regardless of how many journeys you make.
Visitor Oyster cards are plastic smartcards you can use instead of the classic paper-based Travelcards. It is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and most National Rail services in London.
What to do? As Oyster for Visitor cards can't be registered, the balance can't be checked on line. You'll need to touch in at a Tube, DLR, or Overground ticket machine which will show the balance remaining on the card, and that balance will remain in situ until used.
What is the difference between Oyster and Visitor Oyster cards? Non-UK residents can buy Visitor Oyster cards* before arriving in London, and they are ready to use immediately, so you save time. Standard Oyster cards cost £5 (refundable) and can be purchased on arrival and loaded with credit.
You can buy the standard Oyster card from places throughout London, including at most major tourist arrival points such as London's Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport.
No, you do not need to provide a passport photo. Is a Visitor Oyster card valid on Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Express services? to central London or from central London to Gatwick, costs £19.80 with your Visitor Oyster card. Your Visitor Oyster card is valid on the Tube and most bus services from and to Heathrow.
If you don't have a current passport or driving license you can use your birth certificate as proof of your age for eligibility. Proof of address. A valid debit or credit card (registered at your current address), to pay a £20 admin fee and verify your address.
60+ London Oyster photocardThis allows you to travel for free on most public transport in London. You can apply from two weeks before your 60th birthday.
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.
Railway enthusiasts have been snapping up the limited edition cards, which have been released by Transport for. The cards, which work exactly like the normal pay-as-you-go Oyster card, are emblazoned in purple and designed to look like the chairs found on trains on the Elizabeth Line.
You can take your Visitor Oyster card to a Visitor Centre, to get a refund of any remaining credit. This will be paid in cash or refunded to your debit/credit card. The Visitor Oyster card will be returned to you for future use.
What happens if my value/credit runs out? If you need to add more value/credit to your Visitor Oyster card you can simply 'top up' at one of the machines in the stations, or by going to one of the Transport for London ticket desks. Any credit you don't use can be kept on your card for use at a later date.
If you don't touch in and out, we can't tell where you've travelled from or to, so your journey will be incomplete. Maximum fares don't count towards capping. If you don't touch in, you may be charged a penalty fare.
You can't buy a Visitor Oyster card in London. Go to the Visitor Shop website to buy your card before you leave home and it will be delivered to your home address.
Benefits of Using an Oyster CardWell, the benefits of an Oyster card are pretty useful. Not only do you get cheaper fares compared to buying a paper ticket, but it's also way more convenient. Plus, the Visitor Oyster card offers additional discounts on select London attractions!
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.
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.