Do debit cards work on the underground?

Contactless credit and debit cards can now be used on London tube. You no longer need a paper ticket or Oyster card to travel on the capital's underground, trams, DLR and overground trains. Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

If you can make chip and PIN transactions with your card but it doesn't work for travel on our services, it may be because: Your card wasn't issued in the UK - some contactless cards issued outside the UK aren't accepted on our services. Your card isn't contactless - it doesn't display the contactless payment symbol.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

You can use any payment cards linked to a single account, so long as each traveller has their own card. As others have said, TfLs system treats physical card transactions as completely separate from device transactions, even if both are linked to the same bank account.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

No, but if you sign up for a TfL online account and register your card, you'll be able to view your journey and payments history, and get other added benefits. If you don't register, you can only view 7 days' history.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Oyster fares and caps are the same whether you use a standard Oyster or a Visitor Oyster, a common misconception. Visitor Oyster cards you pay an activation fee (£5 in 2023) which is non-refundable. If you buy a standard Oyster card in London or online after 4 September 2022 you now have to pay £7 for the card.

MORE DETAILS

If you're visiting London for 3 days or less, the best option is to get the Oyster Card, as it's the most cost-effective system. For stays of over 4 days, we recommend getting the 7-day Travelcard, since it's cheaper than getting 7 x 24-hour travelcards.

MORE DETAILS