Oyster Card: everything you need to know about this pass in 2025!

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

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.

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 : £5 for activation, refundable on completion.
• Visitor Oyster Card : £5 for activation - non-refundable

In both cases, you can recover the remaining credit at the automatic machines (up to £10) or at a ticket counter 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:

• Activation fees of the visitor oyster card are non-refundable / those of the classic Oyster Card are.
• 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 comes back cheaperWe also offer a Visitor Oyster Card, which saves you money on your visits.

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.

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