If a passenger plans to pay using a contactless credit/debit card or an Oyster Card, they are eligible for the Hopper fare. The Hopper fare allows a rider to transfer from one bus (or tram) to another within an hour of touching your card for the first time. It also gives you unlimited journeys within that time frame.

In 2026, the London Bus Hopper Fare allows for unlimited bus and tram journeys within 60 minutes of your first "touch-in." When you tap your contactless card, Oyster card, or mobile device on a bus or tram, you pay a flat fare (currently £1.75). You can then board as many additional buses or trams as you like for free, provided the final "touch-in" occurs within exactly one hour of the very first one. This is an incredibly cost-effective way to navigate London, especially for "multi-leg" journeys or quick errands where you need to hop off and hop back on. The system automatically calculates the hopper discount, so you don't need to do anything other than tap your card as usual. Note that the 60-minute window applies to the start time of your final journey; as long as you tap onto the last bus at the 59-minute mark, your entire ride on that bus will be free, even if the trip itself lasts another 40 minutes across the city.