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Visitor Oyster Cards - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oyster?
Oyster is the fastest way to pay for single journeys on buses, Tube, trams and the Docklands Light Railway 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 £10 worth of travel to allow the holder to go straight onto the system on arrival in London. If the holder needs to add value at any time they can go to any TfL Travel Information Centre, Underground ticket office, or Oyster Ticket Stop (newsagents, grocers) and add up to £50.

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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 £1.00 at all times, or £2.00 cash.
Zone 1 only £1.50 £1.50 £4.00
Zones 1-2 £2.00 £1.50 £4.00
Zones 1-3, 1-4 £2.50 £2.00 £4.00
Zones 1-5. 1-6 £3.50 £2.00 £4.00

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How do I use the Oyster card?
On the Tube and Docklands Light Railway just touch your Oyster card flat on a yellow card reader each time you make a journey 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.

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Can I use Visitor Oyster on other rail services?
Visitor Oyster Cards can be used on some National Rail services within London but not on any of the airport express train services (Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow).

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Do I pay a deposit?
The Visitor Oyster has a £2 non-refundable fee. Therefore, the £10 Visitor Oyster is sold for £12. You can keep the card for future visits or give it to someone else visiting London. Alternatively, it makes an interesting souvenir.

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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.

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What is price-capping?
You can make as many journeys as you like in a 24 hour period and Oyster will automatically charge less than the price of an equivalent Day Travelcard or One Day Bus Pass.

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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.

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Do Children need a Visitor Oyster Card?
All children under the age of 16 may travel free on trams and buses at any time. Children under the age of 11 may travel free on the Tube and Docklands Light Railway from 09.30 Monday to Friday and at any time at weekends and public holidays, provided they are travelling with an adult ticket or Oyster Pay As You Go (maximum of 4 children per adult). Children aged five and under may travel free at all times if accompanied by a fare paying adult.

Any child who does not meet any of the above criteria can travel for £1 if accompanied by an adult travelling with a valid 1 day Travelcard.

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What will I receive from Superbreak?
You will receive a Visitor Oyster Card pre-loaded with £10, a leaflet explaining how to use your Oyster Card and a London transport map.

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