Why is tube so expensive in London?

According to a TfL report, London's transport system is largely funded by the public; 72 per cent of its income comes from fares. In contrast, Madrid is only 47 per cent reliant on fares, followed by New York and Paris (both 38 per cent), Hong Kong (37 per cent), and Singapore (21 per cent).



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Oyster and contactless payment cards For most people travelling around London, the cheapest way to get around is by using an Oyster or contactless payment card. An Oyster card is a smart card you can use instead of paper tickets, available on buses, Tubes, trams, rail, DLR and some river services.

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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 only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys). In Zones 1-9, your fare is capped so you can travel as much as you like in one day or week (Monday to Sunday), without paying more.

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Tickets and fares Travel on the Piccadilly line starts from £5.50 at all times of the day, for a journey to or from Heathrow, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.

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The fares on the central section of the Elizabeth line (Paddington to Liverpool Street) are the same as the fares on London Underground in Zone 1. So travelling from Paddington to Liverpool Street would cost you £2.80 – the same as the Tube.

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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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Supports cash: If you want to pay for your transport in London using cash, you can buy and top up an Oyster card with cash. This is normally a lot more cost effective than paying for a cash ticket, with the rare exception of a one-off single journey as you have to consider the cost of the Oyster card.

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No. Each person must have a valid ticket for travel whether that's a cash single, Oyster payment or contactless payment. No you can't. I know passing back cards works on some flat-fare metro systems, but the Underground has zonal fares so each person must have their own card.

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Travelcard prices start at £15.20 for a central London 1 day Travelcard (zones 1-4). Child Travelcards prices start at £7.60 (zonnes 1-4).

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Do I need to bring cash to the UK? It's a good idea to have small amounts of cash to hand. You may need coins or notes when parking, or require some for tipping. When paying for small items it can also be simpler to hand over a few coins than a card or a banknote.

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Yes, each person travelling needs their own Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card. If you are coming to London in a group of 10 or more people who plan to travel around the capital together, you can buy a Group Day Travelcard*.

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For parts of London that aren't served by the Underground, DLR or Overground services, then the bus is the next most convenient option. There are services all over the city, often running through the night. If you don't mind a bit of exercising, then either cycling or walking are both great ways to get around.

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London is best explored either on foot or by public transportation. Cabs and bike hires are also options. London has a great public transportation network and most visitors spend at least some time traveling on it. This includes public bus, tram, and rail services (including “the Tube”) within the city.

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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.

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