London's Oyster Cards

Whether you're a regular visitor or simply making a one-off trip, an Oyster card is the best way to get around London's public transport network.

An Oyster card is the fastest, smartest and easiest way to pay for single journeys on the bus, Tube, DLR, tram, London Overground and participating National Rail services. These London travel tickets give you the freedom of the city.

UK Visitors to London: Buy Oyster Cards

Save time by buying your Oyster card online before you arrive in London. Visitor Oyster cards are available to all residents of the UK, cost £12 and come fully charged with £10 credit. Buy your Visitor Oyster card now

Once in London, you can also buy or recharge Oyster Cards at Tube stations, DLR stations, London Travel Information Centres, or online. Visit the Oyster website for more information.

International Visitors to London: Buy Oyster Cards

International visitors can buy a standard pay-as-you-go oyster card on arrival or can buy Visitor Oyster cards online through Visit Britain. See the Useful Links panel below to purchase an Oyster card in your language. 

You can also buy the Oyster Card for Visitors from the ticket office at Gatwick Airport and on board trains, National Express coaches, Eurostar (on board trains travelling to London), or the Oxford Tube coach service. Purchasing your Oyster card before you arrive makes it easy to get out and about from the moment you get to London. Visit the Oyster website for more information.

Save Time with Oyster: The London Travel Ticket

Oyster is an electronic smartcard. It doesn't need to be removed from purses or wallets; instead you need to touch your card on the yellow reader to get through the Tube gates or board other services.

You can register your Oyster card online to benefit from quick and easy renewals and refunds for lost or stolen cards. You can also update your Oyster at newer ticket machines, thus avoiding queues for ticket offices. A refundable deposit is required to obtain an Oyster card.

Pre-pay Oyster

Pre-pay Oyster cards are charged with an amount of credit. You can make as many journeys as you like in a 24 hour period* and you will always be charged less than the price of an equivalent Day Travelcard or One Day Bus Pass. The aim is to ensure that Oyster always charges the lowest fare. Where it doesn't, you can get a refund. *24 hour period runs 4.30am-4.30am.

Travelcards and Bus Passes on Oyster

You can either add a weekly, monthly or longer period Travelcard or Bus Pass to your Oyster card and combine with pre-pay credit. This can be a great way to ensure you get the best value for money on your London travel tickets.

Oyster: Discounts and Concessions

Various discounts and free travel are available for children, students, the elderly and disabled travellers. See our Travelcard page and the Oyster website for details.

 
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