In this article, I present Oyster CardA practical pass for getting around London more cheaply.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Oyster card
- Its advantages
- How to use it
- Practical information: prices, operation, purchasing
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about the Oyster Card, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Oyster Card: article summary
- Oyster Card: the easy way to get around London
- What are the advantages of the Oyster Card?
- Where can you buy your Oyster Card?
- How does the Oyster Card work?
- How much does the Oyster Card cost?
- Practical information and frequently asked questions
- Do I need to buy an Oyster Card?
- What other transport cards are available in London?
Oyster Card: the easy way to get around London
For visit London and its various neighborhoods, you'll find yourself on the subways, bus and other public transport in the capital. Single tickets are very expensive, so it's best to opt for a transport card which will save you a lot of money.
The Oyster Card is a practical transport pass in the form of a magnetic rechargeable card, available in two versions:
- Classic Oyster Card (or Pay as you Go) for all London transport users.
- Visit Visitor Oyster Carda colourful, ornate space for tourists spending a few days in the capital.
London is divided into several zones (from 1 to 9) and you can travel freely with these cards. You buy the card, load it with the desired amount and you'll be debited for each journey.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
The advantage is that prices are reduced by 50 % (maximum) compared to the unit fare. What's more, there's a daily cap (from £8.10 to £14.90), which varies according to the time of day and the zone you travel in: once you reach it, you no longer pay for your journeys. (> See current ceilings).
What are the advantages of the Oyster Card?
These maps feature many advantagesin addition to the savings they generate:
- They are used in the most of London's transportBuses, metros, streetcars, DLR, London Overground, regional trains, Rivers Bus Thames Clippers river shuttles
- The Oyster Card does not expire so you can use it again on your next trip
- The remaining credit can be reimbursed via automatic machines in the stations, using the Oyster Refund
- The Visitor Oyster Card entitles you to discounts on many of London's attractions and monuments, such as the Madame Tussauds MuseumLondon's Sea Life and the Ferris wheel. London Eye
- You'll get up to 20 % discount on your bill in some restaurants like Bubba Gump Shrimp, Planet Hollywood or London's Hard Rock Café, with the visitor Oyster Card
- You can use them to make the journey from certain London airportsas HeathrowGatwick and London City. If you order the Visitor Oyster Card, you'll receive it at home so you can enjoy it as soon as you arrive.
Where can you buy your Oyster Card?
Depending on the card you choose, the terms and conditions of purchase vary. Here's what you need to know!
On site
Once in London, you can buy the classic Oyster Card at ticket offices in subway stations and at automatic kiosks. Oyster kiosks are also available in some London stations.
On line
The Visitor Oyster Card cannot be purchased than onlinevia the official website London transport. Or on board the Eurostar, at the tourist office counter.
How does the Oyster Card work?
Here's some information to help you understand how to use this card. You'll see how easy it is!
Reload card
If the visitor Oyster Card comes pre-loaded, with the amount defined when ordering online (from £10 to £50), you'll need to choose an amount for the Oyster Card Pay As You Go when you buy it.
Then, when your credit runs out, simply go to the ticket machines or one of the Transport for London ticket offices to load the desired amount.
How do I use this card?
All you have to do is beep at yellow terminals at the metro entrance or at the various transport terminals to validate your journey. The amount corresponds to the zone and timetable (as explained below), and you have to beep again on the way out to be debited for the corresponding amount.
Good to know If you forget to validate on exit, you will be debited the maximum amount of the ceiling.
What if I run out of credit?
Don't panic if you run out of credit during a journey. You'll be able to get out of the station, because the Oyster card has a credit function. negative balance. However, it will be unusable until it is topped up. The remaining amount due will then be debited from your account.
Like a refundable deposit With the purchase of an Oyster Card, you can pay off your debts even if you have a negative balance on the last journey of your stay.
How much does the Oyster Card cost?
As mentioned above, you'll pay for the card and its activation fee, before loading a sum that will be used to pay for your journeys. Here are the current rates.
Card price
- Oyster Card : £7 for activation, non-refundable.
- Visitor Oyster Card : £7 for activation - non-refundable
In both cases, you can collect the remaining credit at the automatic machines (up to £10) or from TfL Customer Services for a higher amount.
The cost of travel
In London, you pay for transport not only according to zone, but also according to the time you use it:
- Peak hours Monday to Friday, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Off-peak hours : rest of the time + weekends
The price of a ticket with the Oyster Card drops from £6.70 to prices ranging from £2.70 (off-peak) to £5.60 for a zone 1 to 6 ticket at peak times on the Underground.
Practical information and frequently asked questions
Here's some additional information to help you make the right choice and find out all you need to know about this Oyster Card.
Oyster card or Visitor Oyster Card: what's the difference?
Although they offer similar rates, these cards differ in three main respects:
- Only the Oyster Visitor Card allows you to enjoy discounts on partner tours, attractions, restaurants and stores (over 40 establishments)
- The visitor oyster card is much prettier...!
Both have their advantages, with an Oyster Card that's easy to obtain on the spot, with no delivery charges, and a Visitor Oyster Card that saves you money while you're out and about. Activation fees for both cards are non-refundable.
Your choice will depend on the amount of time you spend in London and your interest in the partnerships on offer.
Do children need an Oyster Card?
Children under 11 years of age do not pay transport in London.
Between the ages of 11 and 15, they can travel free of charge if they are in possession of a Zip Oyster photocard, which can be purchased at a ticket office.
This is interesting if you're staying in London for a long time (more than 2 weeks). Otherwise, I advise you to ask for a Discount Young VisitorAt the ticket office, you can buy an Oyster card at a reduced rate for journeys within France. - 50 %.
How much should I put on the Oyster Card?
You'll have to do some calculations to adjust the amount, but I recommend that you start by putting £15 à £20 maximum for a 3-day stay. If this is not enough, you can easily top up your card.
Do I need to buy an Oyster Card?
Yes, it's a good idea to opt for the Oyster Card during your stay in London, as this card allows you to make substantial savings. Don't think you can do everything in London on foot - it's impossible, especially if you want to see as much as possible!
It has no time limit and is not nominative. So you can either reuse it on your next London excursion, or give it to a loved one.
The choice between the two cards depends on your interests but the classic version is perfect for all travelers. The more far-sighted, and those who want to take advantage of discounts on admission to certain attractions, might prefer the Visitor Oyster Card.
What other transport cards are available in London?
While the Oyster Card is the most common option for using transport in the capital, there are several other solutions.
Travelcard subscription
Of little interest to visitors, the travelcard option corresponds to a monthly or annual subscription. Fares are reduced, allowing Londoners to travel daily for less.
London Day Travelcard
Paper tickets can be purchased for unlimited travel from 1, 2 or 3 days on all means of transport. These London Day Travelcards are less attractive than Oyster Cards in terms of short-term rates, and less practical.
Your bank card
London was one of the forerunners of the contactless payment in Europe. You can simply use your credit card directly at the kiosks to pay for your tickets.
Prices and limits are the same as with the Oyster Card, making it a convenient option. However, some people will be reluctant to take out their bank cards every time, and there may be exchange charges between sterling and euros.
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special London guide!
How to buy oyster card from our airport arrivals
On arrival at Heathrow, buy a standard Oyster Card from the Underground ticket office for £7, then top it up with the desired amount; for 11-15 year olds, ask staff to add the Young Visitor Discount for 50 % off for 14 days.
Hello,
How to combine the London pass and the oyster card?
Hello Leslie!
The London Pass can be combined with an Oyster Card by selecting the "London Pass + Travel" option at the time of purchase. You will then receive a pre-loaded Visitor Oyster Card, which can be used for transport in London (tube, bus, DLR, etc.). The London Pass gives you access to many attractions, while the travel card makes it easier for you to get around, so the two complement each other to help you visit London easily and cost-effectively.
Hello,
does the card charge for the oyster card? if so, how much? is it refundable? Price for adults and teenagers aged 11 to 15?
Hello Pamela!
The Oyster Card costs £7, a non-refundable amount, but any remaining credit can be reclaimed. For teenagers aged 11 to 15, you can ask at the station to add the "Young Visitor Discount" to a standard Oyster Card, allowing them to pay half price for 14 days. This option is ideal for short stays in London.
Can I be invoiced for journeys made with an oyster visitor card? Where do I go?
It is not possible to obtain a detailed invoice for journeys made with a Visitor Oyster Card, as these cards cannot be registered on the Transport for London (TfL) website and therefore do not allow access to online travel history.
Hello
Rates for under-18s with oyster card
Thank you
Hello! Yes, under-18s benefit from reduced fares with the Oyster card: children under 11 travel free with an adult, 11-15 year olds can get 50 % off with the "Young Visitor Discount" (ask an agent at a station), and 16-17 year olds can get a Zip Oyster photocard (ask in advance) for reduced fares too.
Very clear and useful.
Thank you very much
Thank you for your advice.
Hello, we are two tourists, do we need one oyster card each or does one for two work?
Sincerely
Hello Quentin,
One Oyster Card per person.
Enjoy your stay!
Hello Thibaut,
thanks for the answer. i was wondering the same thing 🙂
See you soon
Hello
For the metro the Revolut bank card is the easiest and for 2 people can we do with the same (the card for one and on the phone for the other).
Thank you very much for your advice
Hello!
Yes, you can use your Revolut card to pay on the London Underground, but each person must have their own separate payment method. For example, one person may use the physical Revolut card, while the other uses a virtual version of the card added to Apple Pay or Google Pay on their phone. Although these two methods are linked to the same Revolut account, they are treated as separate payment methods by the Transport for London (TfL) system .
Hello, can I buy an Oystercard or Visitor Oystercard at Gatwick airport? If so, can we use it for our airport transfer to Soho? If not, I order Visitor Oystercard online and it is activated on first use. If I understand correctly, I can also use my bank card and I have the same privileges as with the Visitor Oystercard, so I have a ceiling every day?
Many thanks
Sylvie & Denis
Hello Sylvie and Denis! You can buy a classic Oyster Card at Gatwick airport (in the station), but not a Visitor Oyster Card. It can be used for the journey to London (Soho) if you take a Thameslink or Southern train, but not with the Gatwick Express. Alternatively, you can order a Visitor Oyster Card online (activated on first use), or simply use your contactless bank card, which applies the same daily limits as the Oyster - note, however, that only the Visitor Oyster offers discounts at certain attractions.
Hello,
I went to London 6 years ago, I'm going back in a few months. I have an oyster card, is it still valid for 2024?
Thank you
Hello Carine! Yes, the card does not expire.
Hello,
to benefit from special offers in certain restaurants etc. with the visitor oyster card, you just need to show it when paying?
Hello! Yes, to benefit from promotional offers with your Visitor Oyster Card, simply present it to the staff of the participating restaurant or establishment before ordering or paying the bill.
Hello.
I'm going to London in February. For 2 days.2 adults and 2 teenagers.
What do you recommend as being more profitable?
Thank you!
Hello!
For a 2-day stay in London with 2 adults and 2 teenagers, the most cost-effective solution is to use Oyster cards. Each adult can take a standard Oyster card, while for teenagers (if aged between 11 and 15), you can apply for the "Young Visitor Discount" at a TfL ticket office on arrival (such as at St Pancras station or a major Underground station). This reduced fare allows them to pay half price on all journeys for 14 days. Children under 11 travel free with an adult. This avoids the need to buy daily Travelcards, which are often less advantageous for a short stay.
Hello,
We (2 adults, 2 children aged 16 and 11) are going to London for 3 days. A visit to Harry Potter Studios is planned for the 2nd day. Could you tell me how much we need to charge our oyster cards per day to be able to visit London + the return trip to Harry Potter studios?
Sincerely
Cécile
Hello Cécile!
I'd advise you to allow around £16.30 per day for each adult and the 16-year-old, and £8.15 for the 11-year-old (with the "Young Visitor Discount"), bearing in mind that the return trip to Harry Potter Studios (zone 9) on day 2 may increase this ceiling slightly.
Good evening, can I pay with my oyster card at metro stations or train stations in cash or by credit card? Thank you for your reply!
Hello! Yes, you can buy and top up your Oyster card at London Underground stations or train stations using either cash (pounds sterling) or a bank card. ATMs generally accept both methods of payment, although some may be limited to one or the other.
good evening
is one oyster card enough for the 4 of us, or several cards for 2 adults and 2 children?
Hello Cédric! You need one Oyster Card per person, so 4 cards in total: children aged 11 to 15 can benefit from the "Young Visitor" discount to be activated on their own card.
Hello, we are going to stay in Virginia water, and visit London, what do you recommend as a transport card?
Hi Audrey! From Virginia Water, an Oyster card won't work; the easiest way is to buy a return train ticket to London (zone 1-6) each day, then use an Oyster Card or contactless bank card for journeys within London.
Hello . We are 4 , 2 adults and 2 teenagers from 11 to 15 years old .
Should I buy a Visitor Oyster Card at the ticket office at St Pancras station if possible (and ask for the discount for teenagers) or a classic Oyster Card (with the same discount for teenagers, at the same place)? We're leaving for 5 days and arriving by Eurostar. Thank you
Hi Stephanie!
Classic Oyster Cards, available at St Pancras, add the "Young Visitor" discount for teenagers aged 11 to 15 (50 % discount for 14 days). The Visitor Oyster Card, sold online only, does not offer this discount. For a 5-day stay, the classic Oyster is generally the most economical and practical.
Hello, I understand that it's free for children, but do you still need to ask for a special card for them (5 and 9 years old) or do they just go through the gates with their parents?
Thank you
Hello Claire! For children aged 5 and 9, no need for a special card: in London, children under 11 travel free on the Underground, bus, streetcar, DLR, Overground and some trains, if accompanied by an adult with a valid Oyster or Travelcard. They simply go through the gates with you (the wider ones, often on the right), letting them in at the same time as you. No ticket or card is required for them.
Hello, thank you for all this information but it's true that we can be afraid of making a mistake. May I ask you to confirm my understanding?
We leave from basildon and want to go towards oxford to start the soho district and we are 3 (2 adults and a 16 year old boy).
I take one oyster card per person and put 14.90 per person on it (making sure I'm in the off-peak hours). Can I use it as many times as I want in my daily commute? if I want to see other parts of London?
and the next day I have to put the same thing back on (we want to visit london over 3 days).
Thank you for your prompt reply
Sincerely, Myriam
Hello Myriam!
Yes, you've understood the principle: one Oyster card per person (3 cards for you, your spouse and your 16-year-old son), to be topped up with around £10-£15 a day is enough, as the card automatically applies a daily cap (£8.30 in zones 1-2 for adults, and half that if you claim the "Young Visitor Discount" for your son at a station). You can make as many journeys as you like during the day once you've reached this limit. However, please note: Basildon is not in the Oyster zone, so you'll need to buy a separate train ticket to get to London (e.g. to Liverpool Street), then use your Oyster card for all journeys within London (Soho, Oxford Street, etc.). You'll need to top up the card each day as needed for the 3-day visit.
Hello, I'm in London for 2 months at school. Am I entitled to take a monthly card for the subway?
like London residents?thank you
Hello ! Yes, you can buy a monthly Travelcard for the London Underground even as a temporary student, and if you're enrolled at an accredited school, you can get 30 % off with the Student Oyster photocard 18+.
Hello
We'll be arriving at Heathrow in a few weeks, but at around 11pm. Is it possible to buy the Oyster card on the spot and at such a late hour. I have a child under 15. Do you think a counter will be open to apply the young child discount?
Thanks in advance
Cdt
Hello!
Yes, you can buy an Oyster card when you arrive at Heathrow airport, even around 11pm, thanks to the vending machines available in the terminal tube stations. However, to apply the "Young Visitor" discount for your child under 15, you need to speak to an agent, which may not be possible at this late hour. It is therefore advisable to apply for this discount the following morning at a Tube station or Transport for London (TfL) information center.
Hello; We are travelling to LONDON with our 2 children aged 10 and 13. Do we need to take one oyster voyageur card per person?
Hello Julie! For your stay in London with your children aged 10 and 13, you don't need an Oyster card for the youngest, who travels for free if accompanied by a paying adult, while your 13-year-old can benefit from a discount of 50 % on adult fares by applying for the "Young Visitor Discount" at a ticket office or information center with their own Oyster card.
Hello
What do we need as a 6-day london travel pass for 2 adults, 1 12-year-old and 1 9-year-old to get around london?
Sincerely
Jessica
Hello Jessica!
For a 6-day stay in London with 2 adults, a 12-year-old and a 9-year-old, the most economical option is to use standard Oyster cards for the adults and the 12-year-old, activating the Young Visitor Discount for the latter, offering 50 % off adult fares for 14 days. The 9-year-old child travels free on all London public transport when accompanied by a paying adult. Each adult will need to purchase an Oyster card (£7 non-refundable initial fee) and load credit as required.
Hello
Can I top up my Oyster card online before I come to London?
Hello Stéphanie!
Yes, you can top up a standard Oyster Card (but not a Visitor Oyster) online via the TfL website or app, as long as you have registered it and validated the credit on your first trip to London.
Hello
My son will be working in London from May 16 to October 5. His daily commute to and from work will be in zone 1-4. Do I need a monthly travel card or an oystercard?
Thank you
Hello Christelle! For daily travel in zones 1-4 from May to October, your son should take a monthly Travelcard on a standard Oyster Card, which is cheaper (£246.60/month) than pay-as-you-go.
Hello,
We've just returned from a 5-day stay in London.
At present, the classic blue Oyster card costs £7 and is no longer refundable (apparently an ecological measure to avoid wasting too much plastic). In fact you buy your card, the £7 is no longer a refundable deposit if returned 🫤.
As for the balance remaining on the card, it may be refunded, but in that case you have to return the card, so you lose your £7 anyway...
If there's £50 of credit left, it might be better to get the £50 back anyway and lose the £7 card purchase.
If there was £5 left, which was our case, we preferred to keep our cards and the credit because the credit remains on the card indefinitely. We would have been reimbursed 5×3=£15 but lost our 7×3=£21.
We figure that for a future stay we'll already have our cards with a £5 credit on them 😉.
ATTENTION kids up to 11 years old travel free of charge.
Beyond that, give them a classic Oyster card at a TFL counter (there's one at Saint Pancréas station, all pink and impossible to miss), and it's half price for 12/15 year olds!
By way of information, we stayed in zone 2, took full advantage of the London Underground never further than zone 2 and had loaded our £45 adult cards (on which £5 remained) and the £25 children's card with a credit of £5 remaining.
Enjoy your stay in London 🇬🇧.
Hello,
In France, how can I find out how many pounds I have on my 2023 Oyster Card?
Thanks for the answer if anyone knows ...
Sincerely .
Hello Bernard! I advise you to download the free TfL Oyster and Contactless app on your smartphone (available on iOS and Android). After creating an account and registering your Oyster card, you'll be able to check your balance, top up your card and track your journey history.
Thanks Thibaut.
I can now see more clearly on the oyster cards!
Hello,
Can I get the map on my phone? If so, is there an application?
Have a nice day
Hello! Yes, you can manage your Oyster card from your phone with the free TfL Oyster and Contactless app, available on iOS and Android.
Thank you for your information. I must confess that I had consulted other sites and didn't understand the differences between the cards. After reading you, it's much clearer.
Thanks for your feedback!
Hello.
Is it possible to buy an Oyster Card on arrival at Heathrow airport, or is it preferable to buy online in advance? And if the latter, are there any shipping charges?
Another question: for a 14-year-old child, all you have to do is ask an employee on arrival to apply the young visitor discount, right?
Hello Elie!
Yes, you can buy a standard Oyster Card on arrival at Heathrow airport, including from the vending machines located in the terminal tube stations. This saves you the postage costs associated with buying a Visitor Oyster Card online, which also costs £7 and must be ordered in advance.
For your 14-year-old child, simply ask an agent on arrival to apply the Young Visitor Discount to their Oyster card. This reduced fare of 50 % on journeys is valid for 14 days and can be activated at most subway stations, including Heathrow.
Hello,
Thank you for this very clear article. This being said, I can't understand what is included in the price of the card: when I go to the official website, it costs £15 and I am offered to add a credit but if I don't add an extra credit, will it be enough for 2 days? Thanks
Hello Séverine!
The £15 price for the Visitor Oyster Card actually includes a £5 non-refundable fee for the card itself and £10 of pre-loaded transport credit, so if you don't add anything extra, you'll have £10 to use, which may be enough for 2 days if you're staying in central London (zones 1-2), especially if you limit your journeys.
Hello,
We have 2 Oyster Cards from December 2022 for which we requested the outstanding balance from the machines on our last trip to London, but not the refund of the £7 deposit we had paid.
I'm told that since I've requested repayment of the outstanding balance, my cards are deactivated and therefore unusable? Is this correct?
So, can I still get them refunded at a metro ticket office and take 2 more?
We leave for London in 2 weeks.
Thanks in advance
Hello Marie!
Yes, if you have emptied the balance via a machine, your Oyster Cards have been deactivated and are now unusable, but you can still collect the £5 deposit (no longer £7) from a TfL counter or order new ones.
Hello,
Thank you for this very clear site.
I have a small question: if I buy an oyster visitor card online, when will I receive it at home in France? I'm leaving in a week, so I think the delay should be too short.
in fact, shouldn't I get a simple oyster card at Stansted airport?
Thank you for your reply
Hello Estelle!
Yes, the delivery time for an Oyster Visitor Card in France usually takes between 5 and 7 working days, so it's safer to buy a standard Oyster Card direct from Stansted airport.
Hello,
Thanks for all the info!
I want to make sure I understand:
journeys are paid for up to a maximum limit per day, after which it's unlimited until the next day, then the same principle applies, isn't that right?
is this card free with the london pass?
the london pass says it gives access to all buses free of charge, is this also the card?
Thank you in advance,
Alexia
Hello Alexia!
Yes, you've got it right: with an Oyster or contactless bank card, your journeys are billed as you go, but a daily cap is applied.
The London Pass offers free access to many tourist attractions, but does not include public transport. However, as an option, you can buy the London Pass with Travelcard or the London Pass with Oyster card, which include unlimited access to London's public transport (tube, bus, DLR, Overground) for the duration of the pass's validity.
Hello, my oyster card is cracked and unusable at the terminals. How can I recover the amount available (less than £10) and put it on a new card?
Hello Beatrice!
If you're in London, you can go to a Transport for London service point, such as the offices at tube stations (for example, at certain stations like Oxford Circus or Liverpool Street). There you can get a new card and transfer your balance.
good morning,
i've had an oyster card for several years (i go to london every year) and it's "split" and refused at the terminals.
how can I change it by transferring the balance to a new card?
Hello Beatrice!
If you're in London, you can go to a Transport for London service point, such as the offices at tube stations (for example, at certain stations like Oxford Circus or Liverpool Street). There you can get a new card and transfer your balance.
hello we are planning to go to London for 4 days and we would like to take the oyster card what are the prices and do you have any advice?
Thanks in advance
Hello Elisa!
For a 4-day stay in London, the Visitor Oyster Card is an economical option: it costs £7 (non-refundable) and comes pre-loaded with a credit of £10 to £50, depending on your choice; it allows reduced fares on public transport, with a daily cap (e.g. £8.50 for zones 1-2), and offers discounts on certain attractions and restaurants.
Hello.
In transit in London, I'll be visiting the city for the day before heading back to Heathrow (I'll be taking express for the return trip).
How much do you advise me to put on the map, knowing that I won't go beyond zone 1?
Thank you
Hello Alexandre!
You can add around £8.50 to your Visitor Oyster Card to cover a day's unlimited travel in zone 1, excluding Heathrow Express, which requires a separate ticket.
Thank you for all this clear and useful information.
Thank you for all this useful information
Hello
We'll be two adults and two children (one will be 11 the day after his arrival).
Can I order and have 4 VOCs sent to me and then, when I get there, ask for the discount for 11-15 year olds... or do I have to buy them on arrival?
Thanks in advance
Sincerely
Hello Camille!
Yes, you can order 4 Visitor Oyster Cards in advance. On arrival, go to a station or Visitor Centre with your children to activate the "Young Visitor Discount" (50 % on journeys) for those aged between 11 and 15. Children aged 7 don't need a card: they travel free when accompanied by an adult.
Hello,
If I've understood everything correctly, for 2 days with my daughter, if I put in about £20 that should be enough? At worst £30 and I won't be able to pay more right?
My daughter is only 7 so she doesn't pay 😊
Thanks for your explanations
Hi Jennifer!
Yes, for two days' travel in London with your 7-year-old daughter, a credit of £20 on your Visitor Oyster Card should be enough, or even £30 if you're planning several journeys in extended zones. Thanks to the daily cap system, you'll pay no more than £10.50 per day for zones 1-3, or £12.80 for zones 1-4, no matter how many journeys you make. Your 7-year-old daughter travels free on buses, streetcars, Underground, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and some National Rail lines when accompanied by a paying adult. Just make sure you go through the wide gates at stations together.
Hello,
Thank you for your advice. We already have two oyster card visitors, is it possible to recharge them online via our account or do we have to go to the terminals in the stations?
Also, I had read that a discount was available for the London Eye. Can this discount be applied when booking a ticket online?
Thank you for your answers
Have a nice day
Hello Marion!
In London, it is not possible to top up a Visitor Oyster Card online or via a TfL account, as these cards cannot be registered on the online system. To add credit, you need to go to an automatic kiosk in Tube, DLR or Overground stations, to one of the 4,000 Oyster Ticket Stops (partner shops) or to a TfL Visitor Centre. For the London Eye, the Visitor Oyster Card offers discounts on certain attractions, but these offers are generally only valid for purchases made on site by presenting the card, and not for online bookings.
Is it possible to have the oister card decentralized (on the phone directly)?
At present, it is not possible to use a dematerialized Oyster card directly on a cell phone. The Oyster card remains a physical smart card, and Transport for London (TfL) has not yet introduced a virtual version that can be used via digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Hello, how do I get a refund for the card activation?
Hello and welcome! Oyster cards purchased in 2025 cost £7, a non-refundable amount. However, you can get a refund of any unused credit (up to £10) by visiting a vending machine at a London Underground station.
<hello, can we use the oyster card to take the train to gatwick?
thank you
Hello Valérie!
Yes, you can use an Oyster card to take the train between Gatwick Airport and London. Since January 2016, Oyster cards have been accepted on rail services between Gatwick and London, including the Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink trains.
Hello!
Thank you for these tips, but something is bothering me...
If I take an oyster card for a 4-day stay.
I stay in zones 1 and 2 most days and 1 day when I take the train to the Harry Potter Studio, so zone 2.
Do you have to top up your card every day? Or are you sure you have at least the daily limit depending on the zone? and how do you check the balance?
Thank you
Hello Ludo!
With an Oyster Card for a 4-day stay in London, you don't need to top it up every day, but you do need to make sure it contains enough credit to cover the daily cap, which is currently around £8.50 per day for zones 1-2; a day with a return trip to Harry Potter Studio (zone 9) will cost more, around £21.50. The card automatically applies the cheapest fare, so you'll never pay more than the daily limit for the zones you travel in. You can check your Oyster balance at station kiosks, ticket offices, or on the TfL app if you've registered your card.
Good evening,
Knowing that we have pre-loaded £15 cards, we will only be able to benefit from 5 journeys in zone 1-2 in off peak (at £2.70 per journey), that's very few journeys, unless I haven't understood how it works...
Hello!
You've understood the £2.70 fare per journey in zone 1-2 during off-peak hours, but the good news is that with an Oyster card, a daily cap applies: once this cap is reached (around £8.10 in 2025), all additional journeys for the day are free. So, with a credit of £15, you can actually make several journeys over two days without any problem, and not just five journeys in total.
Hello
We are going to LONDON from 10 to 13 February. I would like to order an Oyster Card online.
cdt
Hello! If you order a Visitor Oyster card online via the official VisitBritain website, delivery in France usually takes between 5 and 7 working days.
Hello
Your site is really useful and clear!
Just a question: we have three children aged 10, 13 and 15.
The 10, no card required, it's free for him.
For the other two, it's advisable to take the Discount Young Visitor on site, if I've understood correctly.
Is that right?
How does the Discount Young Visitor function exactly? Will they have a specific card with a price of -50 %?
Thanks for your feedback Frédéric!
Yes, that's exactly it: your 10-year-old child travels free without a card, while your 13- and 15-year-olds should each get an Oyster (or Visitor Oyster) card on which a Transport for London agent can apply the "Young Visitor Discount" at the station, in the child's presence. This discount allows them to travel for 14 days with a 50 % reduction on adult fares, on the Underground, buses, DLR, Overground and most trains in urban areas.
Thank you for this very interesting report on means of payment for transport in London.
So if I understand correctly, if you use your bank card, you benefit from the same sometimes reduced fares as those you benefit from with the oyster card?
Thank you for your feedback Géraldine!
Yes, using a contactless bank card in London allows you to benefit from exactly the same rates, daily and weekly limits as the Oyster card, except for age or status discounts.
Hello
I'm leaving London today and I have 5 oyster cards. I thought I could get a refund (about 70 pounds in total) as I've seen on several sites. But someone at the counter told me I'd have to do it from France and wait a year, that refunds on the spot were no longer available?
Hello Philippe!
Since 2020, in-person refunds for Oyster cards in London have been very limited: only credits of £10 or less can be refunded via ATMs, and ticket machines no longer refund. If you have left the UK or wish to claim back a larger amount, you need to register your cards on the Transport for London (TfL) website and request a refund online, which will usually be sent by sterling cheque. The initial £7 deposit is no longer refundable for recent cards.
do you need a photo
No, a photo is not required for a standard Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card. These cards are anonymous and can be used immediately without further formalities.
Hello, is free transport for children 11 years old included?
Thank you
Hello Fabrice 🙂
In London, transport is free for children up to and including the age of 10 (i.e. under 11) when accompanied by a paying adult, whether on the Tube, bus, Overground or DLR. From the age of 11, children no longer benefit from automatic free travel: they must have a special card such as the Zip Oyster 11-15 to access reduced fares, or have the "Young Visitor Discount" applied to a classic Oyster card, which entitles the holder to 50 % discount for 14 days.
Hello,
We'll be traveling to London with our 15-year-old niece and spending a day at HP Studios. We'll be getting there by public transport. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to get to Watford with the Oyster?
Thank you very much, in any case your article is the clearest I've read to fully understand how the Oyster works and the choice between travelcard, oyster or visitor oyster!
Kind regards,
Lucile
Hello Lucile 🙂
To get to Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden by public transport, you can use an Oyster card to Watford Junction station. From London Euston, I understand the Overground journey costs £5.95 in rush hour and £4.30 in off-peak. Watford Junction is outside central London, but still accessible with Oyster. If you'd like to find out more about Harry Potter Studios : https://bonjourlondres.fr/musee-harry-potter-londres/
Hello,
Can I buy a visitor oyster card at Heathrow? What about 15 and 13 year olds?
We leave in 2 days
Thank you
Hello Christelle!
You can't buy a Visitor Oyster Card at Heathrow, but you can get a standard Oyster Card from the ticket offices at the airport's subway stations. For your children aged 13 and 15, ask staff to add the Young Visitor Discount to their cards, which will give them 50 % off adult fares for 14 days.
Please note that Visitor Oyster Cards must be ordered online before you travel, and are not available for purchase in London.