How do you pay on the DLR?

You can use Oyster or contactless pay as you go (PAYG) to travel at any time on National Rail services (which includes Elizabeth line and London Overground), as well as London Underground, DLR, London Buses and London Trams.



Paying for travel on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London is fully integrated with the city's broader Transport for London (TfL) network. In 2026, the most common method is "Pay as you go" using a contactless credit/debit card or a mobile wallet (Apple Pay/Google Pay). You simply "tap in" on the yellow card reader at your departure station and "tap out" at your destination; the system automatically calculates the cheapest fare, including daily and weekly caps. You can also use a traditional Oyster card, which can be topped up at ticket machines. It is important to remember that DLR stations often do not have physical barriers, but you must still tap your card on the standalone readers located on the platforms to avoid a "maximum fare" charge or a penalty fare from inspectors. Paper tickets are still available at machines for single or return journeys, but they are significantly more expensive than using contactless or Oyster methods.

People Also Ask

The DLR is an unusual bit of transport, nestled on the right-hand side of the Tube Map. It's an automated “light metro” system but is sometimes referred to as a railway. The DLR is above ground so like the Overground it doesn't count. It also has driverless trains, making it unique amongst London transport!

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How much does the DLR cost? DLR fares are the same as the Tube. You can pay for the DLR with a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or Travelcard, as well as contactless payment cards. For contactless payment cards issued outside the UK, check with your bank to see whether transaction fees or bank charges apply.

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DLR technology is single fault tolerant. The network fails on multiple simultaneous faults in the ring. Another disadvantage of DLR is additional complexity. The DLR object must be configured at each ring node.

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DLR (Docklands Light Railway) The DLR is above ground so like the Overground it doesn't count. It also has driverless trains, making it unique amongst London transport! Is it a Tube line? Answer: No.

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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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The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a driverless train network that serves parts of east and south-east London.

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The DLR is more automated than other UK railway systems. DLR stations generally do not have staff. Barriers require staff, when there are difficulties. Therefore passenger validate their journeys with card readers.

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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.

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