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London
Public transport in London

London

How to pay for public transport in London

Getting to know the network

London’s public transport system is as iconic as the city itself. London boasts the world's first underground railway -the Tube- and possibly the world's most iconic bus, the red double-decker. Getting around on public tranport is not just convenient, it's a key part of any trip to the Big Smoke.

Here is an overview of London's public transport system.

If you'd like to read more, refer to this explainer (coming soon!).

Transport ModeValidation MethodPricing LogicPeak/Off-Peak FaresAutomatic Capping
Underground & OvergroundTap in and outZone-basedYesYes (daily and weekly)
BusesTap onTime-based (unlimited transfers within the hour)NoYes (daily and weekly)
DLRTap in and outZone-basedYesYes (daily and weekly)
National RailTap in and outZone-basedYesYes (daily and weekly)
TramsTap onTime-based (unlimited transfers within the hour)NoYes (daily and weekly)
FerriesTap in and outZone-basedNoNo
Cable Car (IFS Cloud)Tap in and outFlat fareNoNo

Apps for navigating London

  1. Citymapper (Android & iOS)
  2. Google Maps (Android & iOS)
  3. Apple Maps (iOS only)
  4. TfL Go app (Android & iOS)

How to pay

  • Your contactless bank card
  • Oyster Card
Yellow card reader in London transport

Tap your contactless or Oyster card on any yellow reader to pay

Contactless bank card

Your contactless bank card is your ticket! You pay by tapping on any yellow reader. You can also pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay on your smartphone or smartwatch. Remember to always use the same device when tapping in and out.

Your fare will be automatically calculated and deducted. Daily caps are automatically applied. Weekly caps are also automatically applied if you travel from Monday to Sunday.

Tips: make sure your bank card is enabled for contactless payments and overseas transactions. Also make sure there are no hidden currency conversions fees. See below for tips on how to avoid these. For general guidance on using your contactless bank card as a payment method, see our contactless bank card guide

Oyster Card

The Oyster card is London's reusable smart card:

  • Buy it at any London Underground station. Most London Overground and Elizabeth Line stations also offer them. An Oyster card costs £7. The fee is non-refundable.
  • Top it up for PAYG fares or load travelcards onto it.
  • If you have a Railcard, you can add it to your Oyster card for 1/3 savings on off-peak travel on Undergroud, Overground, DLR and National Rail services.
    Anybody can buy a railcard; there is no requirement that you live in the UK or are a UK citizen.

Only the Railcards below offer discounts on London transport. To check if you qualify for one (and buy it if so), head to Trainline.

  • 16-25 Railcard.

  • 26-30 Railcard.

  • Senior Railcard.

  • HM Forces Railcard.

  • Veterans Railcard.

  • Disabled Person's Railcard.

Once you have your Railcard, you will need to ask a member of staff to add it to your Oyster card. You can find them at any major Tube station by the ticket machines.

Which payment method should I choose?

There is no pricing difference between contactless cards and Oyster cards. Since you do not have to pay extra for your contactless card, I'd recommend going for that.

Additionally, Oyster cards are only valid in Zones 1-6. Contactless cards are valid further out, and new stations are being progressively added. For example, you cannot use Oyster to reach Luton airport, but you can use contactless. The same will apply to Stansted airport once support for contactless is added.

The only scenario where I'd recommend an Oyster card is if you qualify for a Railcard that gives you a discount on London transport and you plan on using it regularly. In that case, an Oyster card could turn out to be a lot cheaper than contactless.

Of course, you should also get an Oyster if you do not have access to a contactless card.

Airports

Heathrow (LHR)

There are three options to get to Heathrow from London and vice-versa:

  • Piccadilly Line: Contactless or Oyster on all services.
  • Elizabeth Line: Contactless or Oyster on all services. There is a premium charge for using the Elizabeth Line to head into central London compared to the Piccadilly Line.
  • Heathrow Express: A vastly more expensive option, you can use contactless or Oyster on all services. You can also buy tickets on the Heathrow Express website or at ticket machines at Heathrow or Paddington.

Gatwick (LGW)

Contactless or Oyster on all services heading in and out of London.

Stansted (STN)

Buy tickets from Trainline, the Stansted Express website or National Rail ticket machines.

You can switch to contactless or Oyster to continue your journey once you get off at Tottenham Hale or London Liverpool Street.

Likewise, if you are in London, you can use contactless or Oyster to get to London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale before continuing with a Stansted Express ticket.

Contactless payments coming soon: Contactless payments will soon be available on the Stansted Express. Oyster payments will not be possible. The launch is expected from the second half of 2025 onwards (source).

Luton (LTN)

Contactless on all services heading in and out of London. Oyster is not accepted. You can also buy tickets from Trainline, or National Rail ticket machines.

London City (LCY)

Contactless or Oyster on all services heading in and out of London.

Southend (SEN)

Buy tickets from Trainline, Greater Anglia or National Rail ticket machines.

You can switch to contactless or Oyster to continue your journey once you get off at Shenfield, Stratford or London Liverpool Street.

Likewise, if you are in London, you can use contactless or Oyster to get to London Liverpool Street, Stratford or Shenfield before continuing with your train ticket.

Free and discounted travel for children, senior citizens, etc. (coming soon)

Find all the information on the Transport for London website.

Making the most out of London using public transport!

Enjoy the best views of London from the bus!

There is no need to pay for an expensive hop-on hop-off bus. London's buses are great, especially if you can get one of those coveted front-row seats upstairs.
Below are some recommended bus routes. They cover most of the city's key landmarks so they're a fantastic way to get an overview of the city.

Bus No 9

  • Route: Trafalgar Square ↔ Hammersmith
  • Highlights:
    • Royal Albert Hall
    • Hyde Park
    • Kensington Palace Gardens

Bus No 11

  • Route: Liverpool Street ↔ Fulham Broadway
  • Highlights:
    • St. Paul’s Cathedral
    • The Strand
    • Trafalgar Square
    • Westminster Abbey

Bus No 15

  • Route: Trafalgar Square ↔ Blackwall
  • Highlights:
    • Tower of London
    • Monument
    • St. Paul’s Cathedral

Bus No 24

  • Route: Hampstead Heath ↔ Pimlico
  • Highlights:
    • Camden Town
    • Leicester Square
    • Westminster

Bus No 73

  • Route: Stoke Newington ↔ Victoria
  • Highlights:
    • Regent's Park
    • Oxford Circus
    • Buckingham Palace