Oyster Cards

Prepaid transit card for the buses, underground and above ground rail. The card deducts the fare amount every time you use local transport. Fares vary from station to station and are subject to peak period rates. Additional funds can be added at any underground station in London.

• Primarily the local transport pass,  cheaper than buying single tickets
• Daily “cap” of £16.30 being charged per day for travel in zones 1 to 6 or £8.90 per day for travel in zones 1 & 2. Once you hit the daily cap, your card will not be charged and you may still use the transport system (subject to change as per London Transport)
• Card gives you discounts on the IFS Cloud cable car, Thames Clippers River Bus, River Tours on Thames River and Circular Cruise services operating from all London Piers.

Advantage: Can be used for non-consecutive days (not date specific) or on future trips to London (they do not expire)

Using your Oyster Card:

Underground: You must touch in and out (yellow card reader) for every journey. 

Buses: You must touch in for every journey. You do not need to touch out. 

Uber Boats Thames Clipper: You must touch in and out (yellow card reader) for every journey. 

On IFS Cable Car: simply touch in at the beginning of your journey and remember to touch out at the end.

From/to Heathrow and/or Gatwick Airport: Yes you can use your Oyster Card to travel from/to Central London. You can also use your Oyster Card as a form of payment for the Heathrow and/or Gatwick Express. Do this locally. 

Loading funds: This can be done at any underground station in London. The self service machines are quick and simple. Simply tap your card and choose the denomination to load. Coins, notes and plastic cards are accepted forms of payment.  

Checking fares: Visit TFL’s “Single Fare Finder” website for individual fares between stations.

Obtaining a refund: Get a refund on any remaining credit at London Visitor Centres except Gatwick Airport. This will be refunded to your debit/credit card. Your Visitor Oyster Card will be deactivated. The 10GBP activation fee will not be refunded.

London Visitor Centres Locations: Heathrow (Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 Tube station), King’s Cross & St Pancras International (Kings Cross & St Pancras Tube station), Liverpool Street (Liverpool Street Tube station), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Circus Tube station), and Victoria (opposite platform 8 at Victoria rail station).

Special Offers & Discounts: There are over 35 special offers and discounts around London which you can benefit from simply by showing your Visitor Oyster card at check out. Brands include discounts at such as London Eye giftshop, Shrek’s Adventures giftshop, Sea Life giftshop, Royal Albert Hall, Tate, Hard Rock café and many more! Ask us for more information.

Daily Caps: Below chart is sample for 2025 – subject to change

Travelling with Children:

Children age 0 to 10: Up to four (4) children can travel for free on the network as long as they are accompanied by at least one (1) paying adult. 

Children age 11 to 15: Buy a Visitor Oyster Card before you leave home and, when you arrive in London, you can ask a Tube staff attendant to add a Young Visitor discount to a Visitor Oyster card. Child must be present when adding a Young Visitor discount. This discount gives your child 50% discount on the adult fares for up to 14 days. 

Children age 16+: Adult rates apply.