The Oyster Card is the iconic blue card that unlocks London’s vast transport network. While contactless bank cards have become the preferred option for many tourists, the Oyster Card remains a crucial tool, especially for those eligible for discounts, those without compatible bank cards, or travelers who prefer to manage their travel budget separately.
Here is your comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to buy, top up, and use your Oyster Card across London’s transport system.
Part 1: Buying & Loading Your Card
Step 1: Purchase the Card
The Oyster Card has a non-refundable activation fee (currently £7 as of late 2025).
-
Where to Buy:
-
Tube Stations: At the touchscreen ticket machines or station ticket offices.
-
Oyster Ticket Stops: These are thousands of newsagents and small shops across London displaying the Oyster symbol.
-
Visitor Oyster Card: This version can only be purchased before arriving in London (online or through overseas vendors) and often includes small discounts at some retailers.
-
Step 2: Load “Pay As You Go” Credit
The Oyster Card must be pre-loaded with money. This is called “Pay As You Go” (PAYG) credit.
-
How Much to Load: Transport for London (TfL) suggests budgeting about £10–£12 per day if you plan to travel primarily in the central Zone 1-2. You can top up in increments of £5.
-
How to Top Up: Use the touchscreen machines at Tube stations or visit an Oyster Ticket Stop.
Part 2: The Golden Rules of Tapping
Using the Oyster Card correctly is crucial to ensuring you are charged the right amount and benefit from the daily price cap.
1. The Tube, DLR, Overground, and Rail Services
-
Rule: ALWAYS TOUCH IN and ALWAYS TOUCH OUT.
-
How: Hold your Oyster Card flat against the yellow card reader at the ticket barriers (or standalone readers on the platform) when you enter and when you exit the station.
-
The Penalty: If you forget to touch out, the system doesn’t know where you ended your journey and will automatically charge you the maximum fare for that zone, which is significantly more expensive.
2. Buses and Trams
-
Rule: ONLY TOUCH IN. Do not touch out.
-
How: Tap your card on the yellow reader near the driver when you board the bus or tram.
-
The Penalty: If you try to touch out when leaving a bus or tram, you will be incorrectly charged and may incur a penalty fare.
One Card, One Person: You cannot use a single Oyster Card for two or more people simultaneously. Each traveler must have their own Oyster Card or contactless payment method.
Part 3: Why Use Oyster (In the Age of Contactless)
While most modern travelers use a contactless debit/credit card for its simplicity, the Oyster Card still has three key advantages:
| Oyster Card Benefit | Why It Matters |
| Daily Fare Capping | Both Oyster and contactless cards cap your daily spending (e.g., £9.60 in Zone 1-2). Once you hit that cap, all subsequent travel that day is free. |
| Concessionary Fares | If you are eligible for discounts (e.g., Young Visitor Discount for children aged 11-15, or 16+ Student discounts), the discount can only be loaded onto an Oyster Card. |
| Budget Separation | Since the card is pre-loaded, you can manage your transport budget entirely separately from your bank account, which is ideal if you have a foreign bank card with high transaction fees. |
| Travelcards | If you plan to travel extensively for exactly seven days, you can load a 7-Day Travelcard onto a standard Oyster Card, which may be more cost-effective than relying on the automated Monday-Sunday cap of contactless. |
Part 4: Refunds & Tracking
-
Tracking Journeys: You can create a TfL Oyster and Contactless account online or via the TfL Go App to monitor your PAYG balance, check your daily capping limits, and review your journey history.
-
Refunds: If you have unused credit left on your card at the end of your trip, you can obtain a refund for the remaining PAYG balance at station ticket machines or visitor centres. Note that the initial £7 activation fee is non-refundable.