UK hubs

Oyster / Contactless: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Learn how to use Oyster or contactless payment to benefit from fare capping on London transport.

Oyster and contactless payment options allow you to travel across London's transport network using a smart card or your bank card.

Who it's for

This system is available to anyone who uses public transport within London.

What you get

You benefit from fare capping. This means there is a maximum limit on how much you are charged for your travel over a certain period, ensuring you never pay more than a set amount for your daily or weekly trips.

What it costs you

You pay as you go, meaning you are charged for the travel you actually make.

The catch to know

To ensure the fare capping works correctly, you must always use the exact same card or device for every journey. If you switch between different cards or devices, the system will not recognize your previous trips and you may be charged more.

How to apply

  1. Choose between using a dedicated Oyster card or a contactless bank card/device.
  2. Tap your card or device on the reader at the start and end of every journey.
  3. Check your travel history and spending on the official website.

https://tfl.gov.uk/