Visitor Oyster Cards - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Oyster?
- How much is Oyster?
- How do I use the Oyster card?
- Can I use Visitor Oyster on other rail services?
- Do I pay a deposit?
- What happens if I don't touch in and out correctly?
- What is price-capping?
- Can I buy a Visitor Oyster when I arrive in London?
- Do Children need a Visitor Oyster Card?
- What will I receive from Superbreak?
What is Oyster?
Oyster is the fastest, smartest and easiest way to pay for single journeys on buses, Tube, trams, the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail services in London. It allows you to store cash for journeys to pay as you go when travelling.
Visitor Oyster is ideal for infrequent users and visitors. It comes pre-loaded with £15 worth of travel to allow the holder to start travelling straight away on arrival in London. If the holder needs to add value at any time they can go to any TfL Travel Information Centre, Tube ticket office, or Oyster Ticket Stop (newsagents, grocers) and add up to £50. There are over 4,000 outlets in London where an Oyster card can be topped-up.
How much is Oyster?
The chart below shows examples of how much can be saved on adult Tube fares:
| Journey in | Oyster Single Mon-Fri 07.00-19.00 | Oyster Single All other times | Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| The adult Oyster fare on buses is £1.30 at all times, or £2.20 cash. | |||
| Zone 1 only | £1.90 | £1.90 | £4.00 |
| Zones 1-2 | £2.50 | £1.90 | £4.00 |
| Zones 1-3 | £2.70 | £2.40 | £4.00 |
| Zones 1-4 | £3.40 | £2.50 | £5.00 |
| Zones 1-6 | £4.50 | £2.70 | £5.00 |
Please Note: Oyster pay as you go holders will be able to receive a 10% discount on the adult cash fare on Thames Clipper services (excluding The O2 Express). Passengers should present their Oyster card at the departure pier or on the boat to receive the discount.
How do I use the Oyster card?
When using Oyster to pay as you go for any part of your Tube, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground or National Rail journey you need to touch in (by touching your Oyster card flat on the yellow card reader) at the start of your journey and touch out at the end and it will automatically deduct the best price option. On the buses you only need to touch in as you board the bus, and on trams touch the card reader on the platform.
Can I use Visitor Oyster on other rail services?
Visitor Oyster Cards can now bea used on National Rail services in the London zonal area. This brings an additional 350 stations into the pay as you go network, but cards are not valid on any of the airport express train services (Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow).
Do I pay a deposit?
The Visitor Oyster has a £3 non-refundable fee. Therefore, the £15 Visitor Oyster is sold for £18. You can keep the card for future visits or give it to someone else visiting London. Alternatively, it makes an interesting souvenir.
What happens if I don't touch in and out correctly?
It is important that the Oyster users touch in and out correctly otherwise they will be charged the maximum fare.
What is price-capping?
You can make as many journeys as you like in a 24 hour period (04:30 and before 04:30 the next day) and Oyster will automatically charge less than the price of an equivalent Day Travelcard or One Day Bus Pass.
Can I buy a Visitor Oyster when I arrive in London?
Visitor Oyster Cards are not available for sale in London. They must be purchased prior to arrival.
Do Children need a Visitor Oyster Card?
All children aged 11-15 may travel free on buses and trams at any time if they carry a valid Oyster photocard. When travelling on the Tube, DLR or London Overground children aged 11-15 will benefit from child-rates if they carry a valid Oyster photocard. A charge of £10 is payable for the Oyster photocard.
Children aged 5-10 may travel free on the Tube, DLR and London Overground, provided they are travelling with an adult who has a valid ticket or Oyster card (maximum 4 children per adult). They may also travel free on buses and trams. If they wish to travel unaccompanied on the Tube, DLR or London Overground, they must carry a 5-10 Oyster photocard. Oyster Photocards are available to buy from the Transport for London website. A charge of £10 is payable for the Oyster photocard.
Children aged under 5 may travel free at all times if accompanied by a fare paying adult.
What will I receive from Superbreak?
You will receive a Visitor Oyster Card pre-loaded with £15.
