How do I pay on London public transport?

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.



In 2026, paying for public transport in London is completely cashless and highly intuitive. The premier way to pay is using a contactless credit/debit card or a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) on your phone or smartwatch. You simply "tap" your card or device on the yellow reader at the start of your journey (and "tap out" at the end for Tube and Rail; buses are "tap in" only). The system automatically calculates the cheapest fare and applies daily and weekly "capping," ensuring you never pay more than the price of a Travelcard. Alternatively, you can use a physical Oyster card, which you can top up with "Pay As You Go" credit at station kiosks. For 2026 travelers, the contactless method is the high-value "pro-move" as it eliminates the need to buy or manage a separate transit card. This high-quality system covers the Tube, buses, trams, the DLR, London Overground, and the Elizabeth Line, providing a frictionless, integrated experience across the entire capital.

People Also Ask

Always touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end to pay the right fare. (On a bus or tram you only need to touch in.)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Missed Tap Off Cost If you don't have a default set on your card and you forget to tap off at the end of your trip, you'll be charged the fare to the last stop on the train line or bus route and with your fare type and any applicable loyalty discounts applied.

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Pay as you go You don't have to work out the cost of your journey in advance. 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.

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How to travel cheap in London
  • Get an Oyster card. ...
  • Go contactless. ...
  • Know where you're travelling to. ...
  • Avoid travelling during peak hours. ...
  • Take the bus for long distances. ...
  • Take advantage of the Hopper fare. ...
  • Rent a bike when it's sunny. ...
  • Walk wherever possible.


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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.

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It's more than 50% cheaper than buying a paper Travelcard or single tickets with cash. Oyster cards have a daily price cap – once you reach this limit, you won't pay for any additional journeys (excluding Thames Clippers River Bus where there is no capping).

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How do I use the Tap on Tap off service? When you board the bus, use your contactless card or device to 'Tap on' at the ticket machine next to the bus driver. Once you've reached your destination, 'Tap off' the bus using the reader attached to the pole on the left hand side as you exit the bus.

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The most convenient place to buy Oyster cards for visitors are Underground stations, including Heathrow Airport. You can pay cash or credit card. However there are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground and DLR stations, you have to buy from a ticket machine.

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No, it won't work with the same card. 2.6 Only one person at a time can use a contactless payment card for travel. You may pay another person's pay as you go fare with a contactless payment card only if they are travelling with you and you have paid your fare by another means.

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