travel in zone 1 cost

London Travelcard

The London Travelcard is a transport pass which entitles you to unlimited travel on London’s public transport. You can use a travelcard to travel on the London Underground, overground, public buses, DLR (docklands light rail), TFL rail and other trains, as long as you travel within London’s travel zones.

It is designed for people who are planning on using London’s public transport a lot when visiting London or for people who commute into London on a daily basis. Still, a London Travelcard may sometimes not be the cheapest option even if does entitle you to unlimited travel.

London Travelcard: What do I need to know before I buy one?

When buying a London Travelcard there are three things that you need to know:

1. The duration of the card:

You can buy a travelcard for one day, 7 days, one month or annual.

2. The travel zones of London that will be using:

When you buy a travelcard you need to choose what travel zones you want use. If you are going to travel between zones 1 and 2, you will need a travelcard that is valid for these two zones, but if you are going to travel between zones 1 and 5 every day, you will need a travelcard that covers zones 1 to 5. This does not apply to travelling by bus, as any travelcard will allow you to travel on buses to and from any zone within London’s travel zones. So for example, if you have a travelcar for zones 1 and 2, you can still use a bus to get to zone 3 or zone 5 with that travelcard at no extra cost.

Most of London’s tourist attractions are located in zone 1, and only a few of the most popular attractions can be found outside zone 1, such as Camden Town Market which is in zone 2. Make sure you know what zone your hotel is in before you buy a travelcard.

3. Off-peak or Anytime

If you are buying a 1 day travelcard  (which we don’t normally recommend as an oyster card has a daily cap that is cheaper than a one day travelcard – see below) you will have to choose if you want it to travel anytime of the day, or just during off-peak times (Monday – Friday from 9.30 am; all day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays).

This does not affect 1 day travelcards for zones 1 to 4, so if you are visiting London you probably don’t need to worry about this at all as you are unlikely to be travelling to zone 5, 6 or beyond.

Which Travelcard to buy if you are planning a trip to London

1 day travelcard.

The price of the 1 day London travelcard for zones 1, 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 costs £15.20. We don’t normally recommend using the 1 day travelcard, as it is actually cheaper to use an oyster card, a visitor oyster card, or a contactless card as these payment methods have a daily cap. The daily cap applied to these zones are: £8.10 for travel within zones 1-2; £9.60 for zones 1-3 and £11.70 for zones 1-4. Once you have reached this daily cap you will be able to travel within the same travel zones for free. It is still necessary to tap in and tap out on the yellow reader with your oyster card, visitor oyster card or contactless card when using public transport.

Find out more about choosing between an oyster card, a travelcard or using contactless on London Transport here: Oyster card, Travelcard or Contactless .

7 day Travelcard

The 7 day travelcard for London travel zones 1-2 costs £40.70. When comparing oyster card/visitor oyster card/contactless fares to a 7 day travelcard, I would probably say that it is convenient to get a 7 day travelcard if you are going to be travelling around London for more than 6 days. If you are going to be in London less than 6 days then I would recommend using an oyster card (vistor oyster card or contactless if you are a UK resident).

Where to buy a London travelcard

Buying a London Travelcard at an underground station

It is possible to buy a London travelcard at any underground station in London, by either using a ticket machine at the ticket office or a manned desk in a the ticket office (if available). When you buy a 7 day, monthly or annual London travelcard at an underground station you will normally get an oyster card with the travelcard incorporated in it. So your oyster card will be pre-loaded with the travelcard you have chosen. This way you can also use this oyster card with pay as you go for any trips that are not included in the travelcard.

So, as an example, if you have a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 4 in your oyster card, you will be entitles to unlimited journeys within these  travel zones for 7 days, and you can use your oyster as you normally would, by touching in and touching out. But, if one day you need to go to zone 6, you will be able to use the same oyster with pay as you go balance. One example when this might happen, is if you arrive at Heathrow airport (zone 6) but you want to buy a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 4. It will be much cheaper to use they oyster card with pay as you go for the journey from Heathrow to central London and the journey from central London to Heathrow Airport on your last day and adding a 7 travelcard for zones 1 – 4, than using a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 6.

Buying a London Travelcard at a train station

It is possible to buy a London travelcard at any train station located inside London’s Travel Zones . When you buy a travelcard at a train station, you will normally get a paper travelcard and not an oyster card.

Stansted, Luton or Gatwick airports are all outside London’s Travel Zones so these stations won’t normally sell London travelcards.

Buy a London Travelcard online

One of the easiest ways to buy a London travelcard is by buying it online. The price is exactly the same as what it would cost you to buy it in London but you will pay a little extra for delivery.

Buy a London travelcard at Heathrow airport

London travelcard fares from 5th march 2023, travelcard for children.

Children under the age of 11 travel free within London travel zones. Children over 11 can also benefit from reduced fares; you can learn more about this in our article: Travelling in London with kids .

Find out more

For more information, visit London’s official transport website: Transport For London

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London Travelcard prices for public transport pass in 2024

Transport pass for 1 day, 7 days, 1 month or much longer for buses, trains & underground.

The London Travelcard is the original pass for public transport in London. It is very simple to understand. You pay up front for a ticket which gives you unlimited rides for a stated number of calendar days. These days are consecutive, the pass ends 7 days after the first journey.

You can currently buy Travelcards for periods of 1 day, 7 days, 1 month or 1 year.

Unless you are going to make just one single journey on public transport in London then you should really be looking to either purchase an Oyster card , contactless payment card or a London Travelcard transport pass, and not pay for single tickets.

For example, paying cash for a single Underground journey in central London is more than double the price of the same journey with an Oyster Card.

Where can you use Travelcards   Fare zones   Peak & off-peak   Where to buy   Prices 2024   Benefits   Concessions   Child fares   Groups

Where you can use a Travelcard

The Travelcard pass covers:

- The London Underground network

- The London red local bus network

- The railway network in Greater London

- Docklands Light Railway, TFL Railway and Overground Railway

- 33% discount on many scheduled river services .

You cannot use your Travelcard on the Heathrow Express train as the group are not part of the Transport for London network.

You can use your Travelcard on the London Underground, TFL Rail Heathrow and London red bus services from Heathrow.

Other airports

Gatwick, Southend, Stansted and Luton airports are outside London beyond the scope of London public transport so the buses and trains from these airports are not covered by Travelcard (though you can use Oyster cards from Gatwick & on Heathrow Express. City Airport is serviced by the Docklands Light railway (DLR) and is covered.

The London public transport system is divided up into zones that radiate from the centre. Nearly all the hotels and the main sights are in Zone 1.

Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6 and the furthest zone out is Zone 9.

For the vast majority of visitors you will only travel in the two most central zones 1 and 2. The Underground map (link below) has the stations and their zones marked.

Some stations like Turnham Green are in two zones. You use whichever zone for these stations is most beneficial in working out your fare.

Although with a Travelcard you have unlimited journeys for a flat fee, the price you pay for your Travelcard is determined by the fare zones you want to travel in. The more fare zones you want covered, the more expensive the Travelcard.

London's red buses do not have zones. In fact with a Travelcard if you have a Travelcard for zones 1 and 2 you can travel in all the other zones as well using London's red buses.

London Underground Map & Rail Network Map with price zones (PDF)

Use our links below to see the London price zone maps for both the Underground and Rail network. You will be able to clearly see the zones marked across the map and then look where your station of interest sits within which zone. This is an easy way to work out the potential price of travel in London, by looking at the places you want to visit and seeing which London zone they sit within.

Most major attractions sit within zone 1-2 but there are other attractions further out from central London you may want to visit, as an example Hampton Court (zone 6) or Wimbledon (zone 3).

Peak & off peak travel for 1-day Travelcards

A 1 day Travelcard comes in a choice of peak and off peak variants, the price differential is substantial.

The peak travel period is if you travel between 4.30am and 9.29am Monday to Friday.

For a 1 day Travelcard only, if you want to travel during this time you need to purchase the 'Peak' period 1 day Travelcard product, otherwise the much cheaper off peak Travelcard will do.

Note: For 1 day, an Oyster card is often much cheaper than a 1 day Travelcard, never more expensive.

Travelcards for 7 days or longer are valid at all times.

Travelcards are valid for calendar days, not 24 hours from when you first use. However you can use your Travelcard the day after the last day if your journey departs before 4.30am.

Where you buy, photo ID & varying formats of Travelcards

If you buy Travelcards from a railway ticket office (not Underground) they come on card and will have a rail logo on (just like the image at the top of the page). If you buy a 7 Day Travelcard (child or adult) or a longer duration Travelcard you will need a rail photocard. This is made up on the spot and is free of charge, but you have to bring your own passport size photo. You cannot use the rail photocard as ID at non-rail ticket outlets.

If you buy Travelcards in advance online from TfL (see banner link below) the Travelcards also come as card tickets but you do not need photo ID both for children and adults.

If you buy Travelcards from anywhere else, including Underground and DLR stations, 1 day Travelcards come on a card, but all other Travelcards come loaded on an Oyster card. Children between 11 and 17 years require an Oyster ID Photocard to buy Travelcards at concession fare rates for 7 day durations or longer. Adults do not need photo ID.

Best place to buy Travelcards

The most convenient place to buy Travelcards for visitors are Underground stations, including Heathrow Airport. You can pay cash or credit card.

However there are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground and DLR stations. You have to buy from a ticket machine.

If you prefer a person to serve you there are also many Oyster Ticket Stops all over London in neighbourhood stores, newsagents etc that display a sign in their window or stations run by the railways (not the London Overground, Underground or TFL Rail Stations).

If you feel nervous purchasing a public transport pass from a ticket machine after entering a strange country, you can buy Travelcards online from TfL (see link below) and have them delivered to your home address internationally.

BUY VISITOR OYSTER CARD & TRAVELCARD FOR LONDON

Visiting London? Save time and money on London public transport

• Visitor Oyster Card • Travelcard for 1 day anytime / off-peak or 7 days anytime • Group day travelcards available

London Travelcard Prices from 3 March 2024 - March 2025

London travelcard vs oystercard - what is the difference.

Travelcards are a flat rate travel pass where you have unlimited rides in the selected zones for the time period purchased. You can use your travelcard across the London Network (with a few exceptions), so the travelcard covers your complete travel for a set time period and for a set fee paid up front.

Oyster / Contactless payment cards are charged on a per journey basis but there is a daily maximum you can be charged. This is called the price cap. Once you hit this 'price cap' through all the individual fares adding up, you are no longer charged for any subsequent journeys made that day.

A good example is the daily Oyster/Contactless payment cards price cap is less than the cost of a 1 day Travelcard, so travel over one day is cheaper. Over longer periods Travelcards can work out cheaper depending on your travel. For instance a 7 Day Travelcard is less expensive than an Oyster or Contactless payment card if you travel 3 or more times each day for 6 days or more in a 7 day calendar period.

This is a detailed area and can be confusing, so we created a dedicated page Comparing Travelcards and Oystercards , this page looks in detail at the difference between a travelcard, Oystercard and contactless payment cards to help you find the best fit for your visit.

Benefits of using Travelcards with Oyster card

Most visitors will just travel in the central zones 1 and 2. If you are staying more than 5 days in Central London then a 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 is probably going to be cheaper than just an Oyster card. However a Travelcard on its own with fixed travel zones is not very flexible for the occasional trip outside these zones.

7 day Travelcards can be loaded onto your Oyster card and be used in combination with Oyster on a Pay As You Go basis for a single journey.

Note this flexibility is not available on Visitors Oyster cards or contactless payment cards and is not available for Travelcards purchased from railway stations and online.

A typical example is someone arriving and departing at Heathrow Airport in zone 6 and spending say 6 days in the centre of London (zones 1-2) before flying out.

By purchasing an Oyster card at Heathrow Airport Underground Station and buying a 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 (electronically loaded onto the Oyster by the ticket machine) plus a minimal amount of Oyster cash both Oyster card and Travelcard will will work seamlessly together.

The 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 will cover all travel in the central zones 1 and 2. Then on the Underground airport transfer journeys the Travelcard still covers the section of the journey in zones 1 and 2 but the Oyster will kick in automatically to cover the section of the journey in zones 3 to 6 at the lowest cost using the cash on the Oyster. You do not physically have to do anything it is all automatic.

Similarly, if you are staying in London for 9 days you might buy an Oyster card and use it on a PAYG basis for 2 days and have a 7 day Travelcard loaded and use that for the remaining 7 days.

Seniors concessions

There are no seniors fares for visitors. If you reside in London and are of pensionable age you can get a Freedom pass giving free travel. If you are 60+ and live in London the Seniors Oyster ID Card that makes free bus travel available. You can apply online or get a form from your local Post Office.

Anybody with an English National Concessionary bus pass can use that on London's red buses too and travel free of charge.

If you have a railways Seniors Railcard you can get your 1/3 discount on off-peak Oyster fares. You have to ask a member of staff to load the concession onto a standard Oyster card (note, not a Visitors Oysters card) at an Underground station after showing your Seniors Card.

If you have a railways Seniors Railcard you can also buy 1 day off-peak zone 1-6 Travelcards at with the discount applied.

Child concessions

This is a very complex subject and is covered in detail in the table below.

In crude terms a child is defined as under 16 years old, but in the last couple of years it has been possible to get child fares after jumping through a few hoops up to the age of 17.

Children under 11 can travel free on the London Underground, DLR and buses without a ticket. If a child is between 11 and 15 years old you require an Oyster 11-15 Photocard (which has a fee see below). This allows 11 to 15 year olds to travel at child fares on the Underground, DLR, Overground and some trains, free on the buses.

A child is defined as under 16 years old, but in the last couple of years it has been possible to get child fares after jumping through a few hoops up to the age of 17.

You can only buy child Travelcards on-demand universally for 1 day Travelcards. You cannot load child Travelcards onto an Oyster without an Oyster ID card. You can buy 7 day child Travelcards at the Visit Britain online shop, TFL's online shop , and at railway stations (who require a passport photo).

If you are a short term visitor (in London for up to 14 days) with kids between 11-15 you can take advantage of the Young Visitor Discount. This means you can get half price fares on an Oyster card on a temporary basis for your child without going through the hoops and expense of getting an Oyster ID card. You do need to read carefully the rules of this scheme though.

Children's Fare Concessions

Group tickets - 1-day group travelcard for groups of 10 or more.

This in scope is the same as a 1-day off-peak Travelcard for zones 1-6 and 1-9 providing unlimited travel on all services after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

The pricing is particularly attractive if you have kids in the group and those staying in one of the outer zones, however if you are staying in the centre of London zones 1 to 3 it will be cheaper to purchase individual Oyster cards.

If you are a group of 10 or more then do check out this product. Click through on the blog link right for more details.

Qualifying for the Railways 2 for 1 promotion by using Travelcards

The railways sponsor a hugely popular and long running promotion that allows those people using the train to visit leading attractions to get two people admitted for the price of one.

When visiting London you can you can get 2 for 1 admission to many of London's major sights including the Tower of London. The full list is very long and covers all of Great Britain. If you have train tickets to London and you are doing some sightseeing its a very worthwhile promotion to look into.

If, like many visitors, you are not using the national train services to get to London but are using a Travelcard to ride the London Underground to get around then there is a loophole in the scheme whereby if you buy your Travelcard from a railway station ticket office you qualify for the 2 for 1 promotion. There are a few further hoops to jump through, but the rewards can be significant, so its worth checking out.

Railways 2 for 1 promotion more details

Using your travelcard to gain access to trains

To gain access to the trains of all types, and again to exit a station you have to pass through automatic barriers (pictured right). There is always one wide ticket barrier for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with large suitcases.

If you have a card Travelcard you insert the Travelcard into the ticket slot, the barrier will check that your Travelcard is valid for both date and zones travelled and then return it to you and open the barrier.

If you have a Travelcard loaded onto an Oyster card you swipe the Oyster card over a bright yellow pad, the barrier will check validity and then open the barrier. This process is repeated at the destination station.

On buses there are no ticket barriers. Inspectors may check the validity of your Travelcard at any time.

London Transit Fares

Keeping it Simple - Information about the best public transit fare options for visitors and tourists in London

When it comes to transit fares in London, like many other big cities, it seems a group of planners sat down and tried to figure out how complicated and confusing they could make the entire process. Different fares for different zones, different times, different ages and different modes and always changing. All this can be even more confusing when you are a visitor and unfamiliar with the system.

Tap and Go: The quickest and simplist option for short visits

Fortunately, Transport for London has also been a world leader in simplifying the process. If you're visiting London for a just a day or 2 and you're only taking a couple of trips on public transport, you can now just tap your chip credit card or Iphone with Apple Pay at the turnstyle and you're off and away - not the least expensive option, but certainly convenient.

The Oyster Card: Lowest cost per trip with a daily fare cap - ideal for longer stays

Planning to stay a little longer? Then you'll want to take the extra effort to purchase an Oyster Card . The Oyster Card is a 'Smart Card' that can be reloaded and is automatically debited each time you board a transit vehicle or participating train. It's more convenient than purchasing single tickets, and provides a significant discount.

In addition to the regular Oyster Card there is also a Visitor Oyster Card. The Visitor Oyster Card can be purchased with a preloaded amount and mailed right to your door before you leave for your trip. You can order them directly from Transport for London , but keep in mind that you can also purchase a regular Oyster Card at the airport, London Travel Information Centre or Tube Station when you arrive in London. It even has some advantages over the visitor version.

Where to Purchase an Oyster Card

A major advantage of the Oyster Card, Visitor or otherwise, is that there is a daily price cap (see the table below) on how much you will pay regardless of how many trips you take in a day. You will automatically be charged the rate that works out best for you; either the single trip pricing, or the daily cap if your single trips add up to more than that amount. So, rather than spending a couple of days sifting through all the miniscule and boring details on the official Transport for London site, we highly recommend purchasing an Oyster Card if you are visiting for more than a day or two and will make regular use of public transport to get around. The £5.00 deposit can be refunded if you turn it in after your last use. The only upside to the Visitor Oyster Card is that you won't have to wait in a queue to purchase it when you first arrive. The downside is that the £3.00 deposit is non-refundable and you can't load a Travelcard onto it (see next paragraph).

Travelcards

You can load a 7 Day Travelcard onto a regular Oyster Card which entitles you to unlimited travel, within the Zones purchased , on the Underground, Buses and National Rail for 7 days. It is worth doing this if you will make 3 or more journeys per day for at least 5 days or you will be in London for 6 or 7 days and expect to use the transit system frequently.

The lowest priced 1 day Travelcard , is valid in Zones 1 - 4, but costs almost double the daily cap on the Oyster Card for travel in Zones 1 and 2. With most London attractions located in Zone 1, the added cost of little benefit to most visitors.

How to use your Oyster Card

To use your Oyster Card simply touch the card flat onto the yellow card reader, which will emit a beep tone and display a green light as you board the bus or pass through the turnstile, both when you enter and exit the system or, on buses, just when you are boarding. It is accepted on the London Underground, Overground, Buses, National Rail (within the London National Rail Pay As You Go area), and Docklands Railway (DLR). Not only does it provide a convenient way to pay, but it also offers significant savings off all fares and, as already mentioned, a daily cap on the fares charged for each mode. The majority of attractions and things to do on our site are located within Zone one.

Another new benefit of using a prepaid fare medium such as the Oyster Card is the Hopper Fare. It allows you to make a second trip for free on buses or trams providing you tap-in on the second bus within one hour of tapping in on the first bus. Note that this does not apply to trips that use the Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line, River Bus or National Rail in between the first and second bus or tram journey.

Keeping it simple for you

For your convenience the table below summarizes the maximum daily amount you will currently have to pay for travel on the London Underground, Overground, DLR and Bus provided you remain within Zones 1 and 2, and you pay using an Oyster Card or Visitor Oyster Card . This should cover the majority of your public transit requirements while vacationing in London. Up to 4 children age 10 and under can travel for free with an adult possessing a valid fare. Children aged 11 - 15 require an Oyster photo ID card for discount fares which, for non-residents, must be ordered online at least 4 weeks but no more than 3 months in advance, requires an administrative fee of £10.00 and must be picked up with original ID from a ticket office when you arrive in London. You'll have to decide if all that is worth your while or not. The savings could add up if you are visiting London for an extended period with children in that age range as the fares are for the most part ½ that of an adult fare.

Fares on Other Services

London buses.

Important: You cannot pay a cash fare on any London buses. If you are riding the buses you must have an Oystercard or other prepaid ticket ready when you board. Just "tap-in" with your Oyster Card when boarding a bus.

London River Services

If you are travelling on any of the London River Services you must purchase a separate ticket from the operator of the service you are using. If you present a Travelcard or an Oyster Card loaded with a Travelcard you will receive a discount of 33% on most scheduled services.

Thames Clipper Fares

Ifs cloud cable car, oyster card or contactless payment, national rail.

If you are travelling on any of the National Rail services you can use and Oyster Card for pay as you go or Travelcard trips, but only within the London National Rail Pay As You Go area. This area includes all of the area and stations shown on the map: National Rail lines leading out of London , except you must purchase a separate ticket for travel on the Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect or Southeatern High Speed Service (See map for details). You must also purchase a separate ticket for travel into any areas beyond this map. See National Rail for more information.

Official Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

• See the complete line of London Experiences on Viator

More Info for Getting Around London on Public Transportation

London Tube Fares 2024

Transport fares vary depending on when and where you travel, and on the payment method you choose.

Time of the day:

If you travel during peak hours, costs will be more expensive than during off-peak hours. Peak hours are Monday to Friday, between 6:30 am to 9:30 am, and between 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, except on public holidays.

Ticket type:

• Paper ticket or cash ticket: Single tickets cost between £6.70 and £9.80 . 
• Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) or contactless payment methods:  By using an Oyster card, which is a prepaid or contactless option, you can save significant money on each journey. For example, if you use it in Zone 1, your ticket will cost less than half the price of a paper ticket. It is worth learning more about this money-saving payment option; see below for more information.

Distance between stations:  

When you are in front of the ticket machine, first you must choose the zones you will be travelling through in the next few days.  If you are a tourist, you will usually travel within zones 1 and 2. Our suggestion is to select this option because it is where you will find the most famous attractions in London.

Another tip is to add enough credit for 3 days' travel, for example for a family of two adults and two kids: £20 per adult and £10 per child under 15.

Children under 15 are eligible for discounts and free travel. Children aged 5 to 15 pay half the adult fare, while those under 5 travel for free. To access these discounts, ask for assistance at the station; TfL staff will help you.

You must scan your card or ticket at the ticket barrier's reader upon both entering and exiting the Tube platforms.

Oyster Card and Travelcard

When travelling in London, using a prepaid card such as an Oyster Card or Travelcard is the savvy way to go. Not only do these cards offer cheaper fares compared to paying with cash, but they also come with daily spending limits to help you save even more.

The Oyster Card, costing just £5, can be ordered online and sent directly to your home before you arrive in London. Once you have it, you can top it up with as much credit as you need. This credit doesn't expire – it's yours to use whenever you're in London. Travel on the Tube, buses, and other TfL services becomes more cost-effective, thanks to the daily caps on spending. For example, if you hit the daily cap of £8.50 with an Oyster Card, you won't pay a penny more for any additional trips that day.

Remember, if you don't use all your credit, you can easily get a refund for up to £10 at any ticket machine – although the initial £5 cost for the card itself isn't refundable. The card is reusable for your next visit, though!

And if you prefer to travel light, you can tap in with a contactless bank card. Just keep an eye on any potential bank charges. Similar to the Oyster or Travelcard, contactless bank cards also benefit from a daily cap on charges, ensuring you don’t spend more than a set amount each day, regardless of how many trips you make.

Here are the tables that outline the fare caps and Travelcard prices:

Pay as you go (PAYG) caps: For trips on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, and National Rail, there are daily and weekly spending caps that apply.

Travelcards: These cards give you unlimited travel within the chosen zones and are available for different lengths of time.

We highly recommend using a card when travelling around London – it's cheaper than cash and caps your daily spend. Grab an Oyster Card or a Travelcard for just £5. They're both prepaid, which means you can add money to them and only pay for the travel you use.

Before you come to London, you can buy an Oyster Card online and have it sent to your home. It's a durable card that never expires, ready for your next London adventure.

In addition to the Oyster Card, the Travelcard is an excellent option for those planning to make extensive use of public transport. You can purchase a Travelcard for periods of 7 days, a month, or even a year, making it ideal for regular visitors or residents of London. Unlike the Oyster Card, which charges per trip up to a daily cap, the Travelcard allows you unlimited travel within the zones you have selected, without concern for the number of trips you make.

For added convenience, both the Oyster Card and Travelcard can be topped up online, at ticket vending machines, or at any London train or Tube station. With these cards, you can fully enjoy all that London has to offer, moving around the city efficiently and cost-effectively.

Where to buy tourist tickets online?

Questions and answers.

Where can I buy tickets to travel on public transport in London?

• Tickets and prepaid card top-ups can be purchased at the ticket machines that can be found at the Tube stations. You can pay by credit/debit card or in cash (coins or notes). Ticket vending machines are available in different languages.

How much do young children pay on London transport?

• Children under 5 travel free with a fare paying adult.
• Children aged 5 to 10 travel free on buses and trams with an Oyster card, no ticket needed.
• Children aged 11 to 15 can receive the following benefit through an Oyster card: 50% off adult-rate pay-as-you-go fares and daily caps on a bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail services, and London Cable Car.

For more information on discounts, visit the official transport website . Tourists should note that the Oyster Card can be bought online before travelling to London and be delivered to their home address. The card costs £5. Then you decide how much credit you want to top it up with. This prepaid card has no expiry date.

Where can I find precise information for the rest of the fares and tickets?

• You can find detailed information on all fares and tickets in the official announcement regarding the March 2024 prices, available at this link: www.london.gov.uk/media/104143/download .

If you notice any errors on this website or have any suggestions, please use our contact form , and we will try to solve the problem as soon as possible.

Thank you for visiting our London Tube fares page, we hope you found it useful.

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Detailed guide to london zones 1 to 6.

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London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom , stretching an area of 1,572 km2. There are 32 boroughs in London, which requires an efficient transportation system. Thus, London is divided into different zones, namely 1-9 zones, but most fit into 1-6 London zones.

Zone 1 is central London, and Zone 9 is the outskirts of London.

The London zone system was developed to connect these zones. Each zone is given a station on the London Underground, London Overground, Docklands, Light Railway, and National Railway.

London is expensive, and cracking the way on how to travel through these zones can save you big bucks! So, here’s a guide to familiarize you with each zone in London. Find out the zone that is close to your student accommodation in London . 

What are the different zones in London? 

There are 6 main London zones which are listed below:

• Zone 1- Central London
• Zone 2- Inner London 
• Zone 3- Between Inner London and Outer London
• Zone 4- Outer Part of London
• Zone 5- Suburbs of London
• Zone 6- Suburbs of London

What is London Zone 1?

London Zone 1 covers central London and fare zones of 2, 3,4, 5 and 6 forming a concentric circle around it. It is the main transportation station for London’s zonal fare system.

Areas covered in Inner London: Central London: City of London, Camden, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster

The major attractions in London Zone 1 are Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the British Museum, the Science Museum, etc.…

What is London Zone 2?

London Zone 2 is the inner city that rings around Zone 1. It is not in the city center but closer to the center than zone 3. The zone covers areas and neighborhoods close to central London.

Areas covered in Inner London: Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster.

Areas covered in Outer London : Brent, Ealing, Greenwich, Hounslow, etc.

The main attractions in London Zone 2 are Regents Park, London Zoo, Shoreditch, Arsenal FC Stadium, Chelsea FC Stadium, Clapham Common, etc. 

What is London Zone 3?

London Zone 3 is the inner zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. London Zone 3 rings around zone 2. It is 29 minutes away from Central London.

Areas covered in Inner London: Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Wandsworth, etc. 

Areas covered in Outer London: Barnet, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Greenwich, Hounslow, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Waltham Forest, etc. 

The main attractions in London Zone 3 are Wimbledon, Kew Gardens and London City Airport, Elephant and Castle ( 11 min underground), London Bridge (12 mins), etc.

What is London Zone 4? 

London Zone 4 is the outer zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. Zone 4 rings around zone 3. London Zone 4 is only 33 minutes from Central London (Zone 1).

This zone is emerging as a livable area in London. Areas covered in Inner London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest, etc. 

Areas covered in Outer London: Epping Forest (Essex)

The main attractions in Zone 4 are Petersham Nurseries, Eltham Palace, Modern Hall Park, Bang Bang Oriental, Kingston Upon Thames, RAF Museum, etc.

What is London Zone 5? 

London zone 5 is an outer zone and rings around zone 4. Zone 5 is 30 minutes away from Central London (zone1)

Zone 5 covers Outer London and Outside London areas:

Areas covered in Outer London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest, etc.

Areas covered in Outside London: Epping Forest (Essex), Epsom and Ewell (Surrey)

The main attractions in London Zone 5 are Eel Pie island, Ruislip Lido, Alexandra Palace, Kew gardens, etc. 

What is London Zone 6?

London Zone 6 is the outer zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. Zone 6 rings around zone 5. Zone 6 covers outer London and outside London areas:

Areas covered in Outer London: Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Enfield, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, etc.

Areas covered in Outside London: Elmbridge (Surrey), Epping Forest (Essex), Epsom and Ewell (Surrey), Hertsmere (Hertfordshire), Reigate and Banstead (Surrey), Tandridge (Surrey), Three Rivers (Hertfordshire, etc. 

What are the types of Transportation in London Zones?

Staying in London is a blessing in disguise. It’s expensive, yet with its cost-efficient transportation system, it’s cheap, comfortable and easy to travel around the London zones. Below are the types of transport in London zones:

London Underground

The London Underground is one of the world’s oldest underground railways. It is the rapid transit system serving all 9 London zones. Also known among the locals as the ‘ Tube.’ It is identified by its blue and red roundel across the city. It is part of the TfL transport system with over 270 stations across London. 

The 24-hour service is on Jubilee, Victoria, Central, Northern and Piccadilly Lines.

Payment: You can pay using an Oyster card or contactless.

London Overground

London’s overground suburban rail network serves the London zones. It is part of the National Rail, but a branding of TfL, which is assigned as an Orange roundel in all stations, maps, trains, etc. 

It operates above street level from the city center to another metropolitan area outside of central London. It covers about 71% of London districts, covering 100 stations. London Overground has limited 24-hour services.

Docklands Light Railway

Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro running on 149 trains except for the four below-ground stations. It is part of the London Ground Network. It covers dockland areas of London, east and south-east London, and connects with cable car and Emirates Airline.

On weekdays, it starts from 5:30-12:30 am, while on weekends, it starts late and finishes early.

London Buses

The London Buses has been part of the public transportation since 1829. It is cheap, efficient, and part of the zone system. The buses travel to many routes and bus stops, with the hopper fare allowing you to take many rides at a low price. 

If you have a travel card, you can use it in all of London, even from zone 1 to zone 6.

Emirates Air Line (Cable Car)

The London cable car is known as Dangleway, but today, it is called the Emirates cable car as its sponsored Emirates. The cable car links across the River Thames, London, England.  It is about 90 m ft, offering panoramic views of London city. The cable car is part of the Tlf transport system traveling from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock.

The cable car travels to all London zones.

The River Bus

The river bus has six routes from 23 piers between Putney and Woolwich. It is operated by Upper Boat by Thames Clippers. The river bus is a covered boat with an open outside deck area. There’s a place to eat and enjoy snacks, too. You can get access to toilets too. Bikes are allowed, and dogs need to be on a lead.

The boat departs every 20 minutes; therefore, plan your journey for the zones in London. The River Bus is among the best ways to enjoy London’s riverfront and scenic beauty.

How to pay for the  London travel zones

The most common modes of payment for traveling on London transport systems are listed below:

Travelcards

Travel cards are available on a weekly and monthly pass, giving you unlimited travel on trams and buses.

 It is valid in all London zones. It is a bit more expensive than an Oyster card. They can be loaded into your Oyster cards.

To travel from Zone 1 to Zone 3, you will need a Zone 1-3 travel card. 

A Day Travel Card Cost

• Zones 1-2: Cost £15.20
• Zones 1-3: Cost £15.20
• Zone 1-4: Cost £15.20
• Zone 1-5: Cost £21.50
• Zone 1-6: Cost £21.50

Oyster Cards

The visitor oyster card is the only card offering discounts on all London fare zones. It’s non-refundable. The regular oyster card is a card that doesn’t expire. It is refundable with a £5 security deposit. The top-up costs £5, and the card price is £7. It is available at all tubes, most overground and Elizabeth line stations, and DLR stations.

Oyster cards are not accepted between Reading and Iver.

A Day Oyster Card Cost

Zones 1-2: Cost £8.10

Zones 1-3: Cost £9.60

Zone 1-4: Cost £11.70

Zone 1-5: Cost £13.90

Zone 1-6: Cost £14.90

Contactless Payment

A foreign card is accepted as a form of contactless payment option. It can be a credit/debit card, and you can make countless purchases. The card can be used to pay for all modes of public transportation. If you have used an Oyster card, it works similarly. You can swipe at the ticket barriers at the start and end of your journey. Make sure you keep track of the cost of the ride.

Add supported payment to Apple Pay and swipe through iPhone or watch.

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Cheap London Travel- Reduce The Cost Of Travel

At first glance, cheap London travel almost seems impossible. With a single tube journey paper ticket costing £4.90- the cost seems out of reach. BUT there are lots of ways that you can reduce the cost of travelling in London, whether you are a regular commuter or you are visiting the city.

First thing’s first- never buy the aforementioned paper ticket! That £4.90 tube journey will cost just £2.40 for a zone 1 single journey using an Oyster card or contactless payment.

Not only will using an Oyster card or contactless payment card mean that your journey is cheaper, but it will also make your journey quicker as you’ll avoid the lengthy queues at the ticket machines.

Page Contents

Cheap London Travel

Not even born and raised Londoners will know the best kept secrets about cheap London travel. The pricing system is pretty complex, so you have to do some digging to find out how to save money on travel in London, but the rewards are worth it! Luckily, this post lays out most of them for you…

Is it cheaper to use an Oyster card or contactless?

So we’ve established that you’ll want to use an Oyster card or contactless payment rather than a paper ticket. But is there a cost difference between Oyster and contactless?

Oyster Card Benefits

All told, an Oyster card can be cheaper than contactless payment as you are able to add a railcard to your Oyster card which saves you a third on off-peak travel. But if you don’t have a railcard? The prices are the same.

To add your railcard to your Oyster card, all you need to do is go to an underground station and ask the clerk to add it onto your Oyster for you- it only takes a minute or two.

If you’re a student living in London, you are likely to be eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster which offers some great discounts. With this card you can get 30% off the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. Check if you are eligible for the card on the TFL Website .

Contactless Benefits

If you use contactless payment for your journey (whether that’s a payment card or Apple Pay), you do benefit from Monday-Sunday capping, which you don’t get with an Oyster card.

The cap for journeys made Mon-Sun in zones 1-2 is £34.10 with a contactless card – whereas seven daily caps on an Oyster card come to £47.60.

You might also enjoy: What Is The Average Cost Of Living In London?

Where can I get an Oyster card?

If you’re visiting London, you can get an Oyster card at any tube station with a ticket office. An Oyster card will cost you £5, which acts as a deposit. You can get the £5 refunded to you when you return the Oyster card after your visit.

Do kids travel for free on the tube?

Kids under the age of 11 can travel for free on the bus, tram, DLR, overground and tube when accompanied by an adult. How’s that for some cheap London travel?

For kids aged 11-15, apply for a Zip Oyster card which will allow free travel on buses and trams, and a children’s rate on other services.

If you are visiting London with children who don’t have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, they can get discounted travel for up to 14 days with the Young Visitor discount. This can be applied to any standard Oyster card and offers a 50% discount on adult fares.

For children aged 16-17, there is another Zip Oyster available which again offers free travel on buses and trams, and a 50% discount on adult fares.

How much does commuting in London cost?

The average London commuter spends around £122 a month on travelling to work. And if you commute into London for work? The average cost is around £305 a month.

This accounts for a huge portion for many Londoners’ monthly wage, so if there is a way to reduce the cost of travel in London, it’s well worth doing.

You might also enjoy: How To Live On A Budget In London

Cheapest way to commute in London

The cheapest way to commute in London is of course on foot, but that isn’t always possible. If you’re working in central London it’s unlikely that you are going to find an affordable flat nearby.

However, it’s worth considering moving closer to work if it means that your commuting costs might go down. Check out my guide on how to find an affordable apartment in London , which goes into more detail about how moving closer to work can sometimes pay off.

Take the bus

The next cheapest way to commute is probably going to be by bike, followed closely by the bus. Bus fares in London are generally cheaper than the tube, and also benefit from the Hopper Fare . The Hopper Fare means that any second bus or tram journey made within one hour of the start of your first journey will be free, if you’re using an Oyster card or contactless payment.

Buy a season ticket

If there’s no way round it, and you have to commute by train or tube, you will make large savings if you buy an annual season ticket.

The problem with a season ticket, is that the upfront cost is large- often thousands of pounds. However, there are a couple of ways around this cost.

Check if your employer offers an interest-free season ticket loan. This works on the basis that your employer will pay for the upfront cost of your season ticket, and then deduct the repayments from your monthly salary in 10 or 12 instalments.

This means that you get the cost saving benefit of a season ticket, but you pay for it monthly instead.

You might also enjoy: The Cheapest Place To Park In Central London

How can I make my commute cheaper?

Travel off-peak.

If you’re able to work flexible hours, you could save money on your commute by avoiding travel during peak times. Off-peak travel could cost up to 50% less than peak travel.

Peak time is between 6.30am and 9.30am or between 4pm and 7pm. However it is important to note that these peak times can vary slightly depending on the mode of travel and route you take. Compare prices using the TFL Fare Finder .

Remember, if you travel off-peak and use a railcard, you could save a further 30% off your journey. This would considerably reduce the cost of your commute.

Avoid zone 1

If you are able to avoid zone 1 when commuting, this could make your journey cheaper. There are a number of pink Oyster card readers, and when you tap this with your card, it will recognise that you have not gone through zone 1 to get to your destination.

For a list of stations with pink Oyster card readers, head to the TFL website .

Get organised

If you want to buy a season ticket, make sure that you buy it before the prices go up for the year ahead. Usually rail prices increase yearly in early January, so make sure that you get organised and buy your season ticket BEFORE the prices increase.

Reassess your route

Use apps like Citymapper to check if there is a different way to commute to the office. Perhaps you could take a couple of buses instead of the tube? Or maybe you could spend more time walking and combine this with a train journey?

For lots of people there will be several different modes of transport that you’ll be able to take to get into work- work out which one is the cheapest, and go from there.

Travelling in London is only going to get more expensive as the prices go up each year, but these alternative ideas are likely to help reduce your commuting costs and save you some money.

Here are some key things to remember, whether you’re a visitor or a commuter looking for cheap London travel:

• Never buy a paper ticket
• Add your rail card to your Oyster card (if you have one)
• Avoid travelling to zone 1 by tube
• Switch the tube for the bus to make a saving

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London Underground tickets: How much is a travelcard and where you can buy one

Everything you need to know about buying a travelcard in London

• 16:51, 17 FEB 2020
• Updated 20:05, 17 FEB 2020

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The London Underground may seem cheap for a one off, £2.40 journey, but it all adds up if you use it all the time.

Whether you're in London just for the day or week, or you actually live here, it's worth working out the cheapest way of organising your travel on it.

For many people this means buying a travelcard.

Travelcards come in different types and give you unlimited access on buses, Tubes, trams, the DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail services in London.

Types of Travelcards

Day travelcard.

They give you unlimited travel for a whole day. There are two types:

• Anytime Day Travelcards: You can use for the date shown on the ticket and for journeys starting before 4.30am the next day.
• Off-peak Day Travelcards: You can use from 9.30 (Monday to Friday) and anytime on weekends or bank holidays for the date on the ticket and for journeys starting before 4.30am the next day.

Group Day Travelcard

Unlimited travel for a group of ten or more travelling together for a day.

Travel from 9.30am (Monday to Friday), anytime on weekends or bank holidays for the date on the ticket and before 4.30am the next day.

Both the day travelcards can only be purchased as paper tickets.

Travelcard season tickets

If you're sticking around for a longer time because like us you love London, you could consider a travelcard season ticket.

You can choose from a seven-day, monthly, three-month, six-month, odd period or annual travelcard season ticket.

The savings on them are quite decent, especially the longer-term ones.

With annual travelcards you get 12 months of travel for the price of ten and a half.

It's cheaper to go for a monthly travel card than four seven-day ones.

You'll always be able to travel before the 4.30am on the day after the expiry date of your travelcard. The season ticket can start on any day of the week and be used at any time, so it doesn't matter if you're arriving into London mid-week for instance.

Where you can use travelcards

Buses and trams.

You can use travelcards on all buses and as long as your travelcard is valid in Zones 3, 4, 5 or 6, you can use it on all trams.

Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail

Make sure you buy a travelcard that covers all the zones you need to travel through and go to. Work it out, but if you only very occasionally travel to a certain zone, you can add pay as you go if your travelcard is on your Oyster Card or buy an extension ticket.

Emirates Air Line

Travelcards get you discounts on the Emirates Air Line.

River service

You can use your Travelcard to get 1/3 off river boat fares on some services but double check first.

How you buy travelcards

Day travelcards, whether for a single person or a group, are only in paper ticket form.

Buy them from ticket machines at Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail station, ticket offices at the London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail stations, at visitor centres and at the Tramlink shop in Croydon.

Join the Mind The Gap group

We've created a Facebook group for people who travel on London's bus, rail, Underground, Overground and DLR services.

We will keep you informed about the latest news that affects your daily commute to work, as well as at the weekend.

We'll also let you know in advance if there are any roadworks, railworks or closures you should know about, or if there are any problems on the city's tube network.

Join the group here .

You can buy the longer travelcards (seven days, monthly, three months, six months or odd period, or annual) on an Oyster Card. You can buy it online or on the Oyster/contactless app, Oyster ticket shops, ticket offices and machines at stations and at visitor centres.

Make sure you add your card to a contactless and Oyster account you've created so that if you lose it or it gets stolen you don't have to buy a whole new one.

How much travelcards cost

The 2020 prices are as follows.

One day travelcards

• Zones 1-4 - £13.50

Zones 1-6 - Off peak - £13.50, peak - £19.50

Zones 1-9 - Off peak - £14.30, peak £24.30

Weekly travelcards

• Zones 1-2 - £36.10
• Zones 1-3 - £42.40
• Zones 1-4 - £51.90
• Zones 1-5 - £61.70
• Zones 1-6 - £66.00
• Zones 1-7 - £71.80
• Zones 1-8 - £84.80

Zones 1-9 - £94.10

Monthly travelcards

• Zones 1-2 - £138.70
• Zones 1-3 - £162.90
• Zones 1-4 - £199.30
• Zones 1-5 - £237.00
• Zones 1-6 - £253.50
• Zones 1-7 - £275.80
• Zones 1-8 - £325.70

Zones 1-9 - £361.40

Oyster and contactless cards

The totally alternative way to travel on London's public transport is by pay as you go.

As mentioned you can get a travelcard on your Oyster Card.

But you can also use it by topping it up and paying per journey.

You can also use a contactless debit or credit card to pay as you go.

The benefits of this are you only pay for journeys you make, you can travel all over the network at any time, and also there's an automatic daily cap even on pay as you go.

Want more news? Head to the MyLondon homepage .

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Contactless Fares 2024 - London Bus, Tube & Daily Cap Prices

What is a contactless card.

A contactless card is just a bank card – your normal everyday debit card or credit card. As long as it has the fan symbol on it then you should be able to use it straight away:

Contactless cards work in exactly the same way as Oyster cards . There’s no need for a PIN, a signature, or to insert it into any reader. All you have to do is wave it in front of the yellow Oyster readers and the computer will use wireless near-field communication (NFC) technology to deduct the correct bus fare or tube fare from your bank account.

Contactless cards also work when attached to mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Barclaycard Mobile and bPay .

What are the benefits of a contactless card?

• It’s just your normal everyday bank card, so you probably already have one
• Contactless payments are accepted all over the TFL network on the buses , London underground , DLR, TFL Rail, National Rail, Thames Clipper , and even the IFS Cloud Cable Car
• Contactless bus fares and tube fares for single journeys are always the cheapest fares available (alongside Oyster), but unlike Oyster, there’s no need to pay a £7 deposit to get one
• The contactless daily cap is always cheaper than buying a 1-day travelcard
• The contactless weekly cap is the same price as a weekly travelcard
• Unlike Oyster cards there’s no need to keep topping them up with extra credit, or worrying that your credit is about to run out on the journey home
• The technology is safe – there’s no need to insert your bank card into any slot, or enter your PIN where somebody might see it. You shouldn’t even need to take your card out of your wallet if you don’t want to, as the machine is sensitive enough to read it through the material

What are the downsides of a contactless card?

• Unlike Oyster cards , it’s not possible to load a travelcard onto a contactless card
• If you’re travelling with more than one person then you’ll each need your own bank card
• There are no contactless fares for children
• Foreign cards might not be accepted, and overseas banks might add on a transaction fee every time you purchase something abroad, which will bump up the cost of each bus ticket and tube ticket

Can you tap your phone on the London Underground?

Contactless cards attached to mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Barclaycard Mobile or bPay can be used to pay fares on the London Underground and TFL buses.

Just wave your mobile phone or iWatch near the big yellow Oyster readers – exactly as you would with a normal bank card.

But you must remember to use the same device each time, otherwise you won’t benefit from the contactless travel cap. If you tap down with your actual bank card at the start of your journey, but switch to your mobile phone at the end, then the computer won’t recognise it as being the same card (even if it’s the same card number). That’s because mobile pay systems don’t pass over bank card number. They actually pass over a totally unique number derived from your bank card and device, so TFL’s system has no way of linking the two journeys.

Can foreign bank cards be used on the London Underground?

Only a few foreign bank cards are accepted on the London Underground… chiefly American Express and most MasterCard, Maestro and Visa cards. You can check whether yours will work at the TFL website .

But be careful! If you’re using a foreign bank card then you should be extremely careful about the travel charges, because your bank might add on an extra foreign exchange fee every time you use it overseas – which will likely include each individual bus and tube ticket.

UK-issued bank cards should work fine as long as they carry the contactless payment logo

When are Peak and Off-Peak train times?

Peak: Peak time is 6:30 AM to 9.30 AM, and 4.30 PM to 7 PM (Monday to Friday). Any journey that starts during those times will have to pay a peak fare. It doesn’t matter what time your journey finishes.

Off-Peak: Outside peak time is off-peak . Weekends and public holidays are always off-peak. Note: Between the 8th March and 31st May 2024 TFL are running a trial called ‘Off-Peak Friday Fares’, where Fridays will be classed as off-peak all day.

What is the daily and weekly cap?

Daily price cap – Contactless cards have something called a ‘daily cap’. This is the maximum amount of money that the computer will take from your bank card each day – and it’s always lower than the cost of a one day travelcard .

Every time you use a London bus or tube train the computer will total up the cost of each individual journey, and if the accumulated amount exceeds the daily cap it will stop charging you. Every journey you make after that will be free.

Buses and trains have their own travel caps. If you stick with the buses all day then the cap will be cheaper. If you use the trains all day (or a combination of buses plus trains) then the cap will be higher. You can see what the caps are in the contactless fares table above.

Note: the computer doesn’t actually charge your bank account for each individual bus or tube journey, because it needs to see if you reached the cap. It waits until the early hours of the next day and then deducts a lump sum for all of the journeys combined.

Weekly price cap – The contactless weekly cap is the maximum amount that you will be charged over seven consecutive days – and it’s always the same price as a weekly travelcard .

Unfortunately there’s a catch… because the computer can only keep track of journeys from Monday and Sunday. If you’re travelling over any other stretch of seven days, like Thursday to Wednesday for example, then you’ll end up paying seven daily caps instead – so in that scenario you’re probably better off buying a weekly travelcard because that can start on any day you like.

Can two people share one contactless card?

No – it’s not possible for two people to share one contactless card. Each person in your group must have their own card if they want to pay a contactless fare.

This also applies to couples with a joint bank account – each partner will need to have their own card.

Can you pay two train fares with one card?

Tourists often tap one card down twice, making the perfectly reasonable assumption that it will subtract two fares, but the system doesn’t work like that. The first time you tap down the computer will think you’re starting your tube journey, and the second time you tap down it will think that you’re ending it. Only one tube fare will be charged in total, so if you get stopped by a TFL inspector you’ll be in a bit of trouble.

If you really do only have one card between you then buy the other person a paper ticket at the self-service machine first (which will be charged as a cash fare), and then you can tap it down on the gate for yourself (which will be charged as a contactless fare).

Where can you use contactless cards?

Buses – Contactless bus fares are available all over London.

London Underground, London Overground, DLR, TFL Rail, National Rail – Contactless tube fares are available within Oyster zones 1-9, plus some stations outside the zones including Watford Junction and Gatwick Airport. Note: If you use your contactless card on the Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express then the cost won’t count towards the TFL contactless cap – it will just deduct a one-off fare straight from your account.

You can use TFL’s map to see which stations are within the Oyster zones: http://​content.tfl.gov.uk/​london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf .

Taxis – Unlike Oyster cards and travelcards, contactless cards can also be used to pay for black taxi cab rides (assuming the fare is less than the current contactless limit of £100).

Thames Clipper and Cable Car – You can also pay for a ticket on the Thames Clipper riverbus service and IFS Cloud Cable Car . They have exactly the same kind of readers that you find on the buses and trains.

Is contactless the cheapest way to travel?

Contactless cards are the cheapest way to travel on the bus and London Underground, alongside Oyster. But contactless usually works out cheaper if it’s your very first visit to London because you also have to pay a £7 deposit the first time you buy a Oyster card .

The contactless daily cap is always cheaper than buying a one day travelcard , and the weekly cap is always the same price as a weekly travelcard . But the contactless weekly cap only runs from Monday to Sunday, so a weekly travelcard will work out cheaper if you’re travelling over any other stretch of seven days, and you’re planning on making three or more journeys on six days, or two or more journeys on seven days.

Can you get a receipt for a contactless tube journey?

It’s not possible to get a paper receipt at the point of travel. The Oyster readers at London Underground stations don’t have the facility to print out receipts.

If you really need a record of your bus or tube journey then you can register your contactless card on the TFL website beforehand, where they log twelve month’s-worth of journeys. If you don’t want to register your card then you can get a record of the previous seven days here .

Do you need to register contactless cards?

There’s no need to register your contactless card on the London Underground. As long as it carries the wireless payment symbol then it should work fine:

TFL website – If you do want to register your card then you can set up an account on TFL’s website . Most of the benefits only apply to Oyster card users, but contactless users can look up their last twelve month’s worth of journeys.

TFL app – You can also register your card through TFL’s Oyster & Contactless app .

How do you use contactless on the bus?

Using contactless cards on a London bus is very easy. All you have to do is touch your bank card against the big Oyster reader by the door (it’s bright yellow – you can’t miss it). If it registers okay then you will hear a beep and see a little green light on the machine. If you hear two beeps and see a red light then you should try again. Try taking your card out of your wallet or purse and holding it flush against the reader.

Some buses also have a second reader by the middle doors, and a third one by the back door, but if you’re an inexperienced traveller then we recommend sticking with the front door. That’s because the front door will always have a reader, and if you try and board a bus through a door where there isn’t one then it will look like you’re trying to dodge your fare. You will soon get to know which buses have extra readers as you make more journeys.

Note: There’s no need to touch down again when you leave the bus – you only have to do that when travelling on the train.

How do you use contactless on the train?

Using contactless cards on the London Underground is very easy. When you enter a the station and approach the ticket barriers you will see a big yellow Oyster reader at the front of the gate. Just wave your contactless card next to it and the gate will open automatically.

If the gate beeps and refuses to open then take your card out of your wallet and touch it flush against the reader. If it still doesn’t work then you’re probably out of money (which means your bank account is empty!).

When you leave the station at the end of your tube journey you’ll need to touch it down again. That’s because the computer needs to work out what your route was. If you only touch down at the start then the system won’t know which zones you passed through and will hit you with a penalty fare instead (ouch!).

Note: During rush hour the TFL staff will sometimes open the barriers to speed the flow of people through the station, but you STILL need to tap down – even if the gate is already open.

Why won’t your contactless card work?

Card clash – There are loads of different reasons why your card might not work, but the usual one is ‘card clash’. If you keep your Oyster card and bank card in the same wallet (or two different bank cards) then the computer might register the presence of both and get confused about which one to charge. It will then end up rejecting both. If this happens to you then don’t worry… just separate your cards and try again.

New bank card – If you have a brand-new bank card then your bank won’t allow you to make a contactless payment until you’ve made at least one chip-and-pin transaction. This is a security measure put in place by your card issuer. So all you have to do is go into a shop and buy something that requires you to enter your actual PIN number, or withdraw some money from an ATM cash machine, and it should start working okay after that.

Foreign bank card – If your card has been issued by an overseas bank then you should check whether it’s accepted on the TFL website .

Not enough money – The final reason is that maybe you just don’t have any money in your account.

Your comments and questions

MP Hi, was just wondering if when using contactless can two people use one card?

Staff Hi. No, if you're tapping down on the gate then each person will need their own card. But you can use one card if you buy two tickets at the machine - but then you'll be paying the cash fare instead of the contactless fare

Sarah Can I get a receipt when I make a contactless payment please?

Staff Hi Sarah, not at the station. But if you register your card on the TFL website beforehand than they will log your last 12-months worth of journeys

Steve Do I need to register my credit card with London Transport before I can use Contactless on the Tube?

Staff Hi Steve. No, you can use it straight away. It's no different to just using it in a shop. The only real reason you'd need to register it is if you want to see a record of all your journeys.

John Hi. Can one contactless card be used to pay for more than one person (ie 3 adults) on the same journey?

Staff Hi John. No, you will each need your own card. If you tap down multiple times on the gate then it doesn't charge multiple fares. But you can use one card to buy three paper tickets at the self-service machine if you want - but then you'll be paying the cash fare, rather than the contactless fare.

Joe Hello, I will be in London from Friday to Monday and will be travelling on trains between zones 1-3. Firstly, do I need to register online before using contactless payment or do I just touch and go? Secondly, what would be the maximum I would be charged in that 4 day period please? Thank you very much.

Staff Hi Joe. You don't have to register your card first. The only reason you might do that is if you wanted to check all your journey's and fares on the TFL website later. The maximum amount you will pay each day is the 'daily cap' for the zones you travel through. Prices are shown in the table above

PKing I travelled into London today from Cockfosters using my contactless bank card, when I arrived back at Cockfosters this evening the barrier was open and without thinking I just went straight through but didn't touch my card back through, I have just seen on this website that you must check in and out etc as you will be changed the maximum price... What is maximum price? I am really worried that it is going to cost be a fortune? Please someone help?!

Staff Hi PKing. Assuming that you remembered to touch down on the way in, then it would have charged you whatever the maximum journey was on that line - right up to the last stop. For example, if you started your journey in zone 1, and forgot to tap down when you left the train in zone 2, it would have charged you all the way up to the last stop on the line (Cockfosters in zone 5). But seeing as that's where you were going anyway it should be the same price. [Note: I suppose it's possible that they will charge you the other way instead - towards Heathrow - because they won't be able to tell which way you were headed. The maximum price for that would be zones 1-6, rather than zones 1-5.]

PKing Thanks for the reply, I went Cockfosters to South Kensington then Piccadilly Circus and back to Cockfosters again. I did the payment at Piccadilly Circus but not when we got back at Cockfosters as gates were open and kids busting for a toilet so I didn't give it a second thought, will I be fined? It was first time using the contact less today as well.

Staff As long as you remembered to tap in on the way in, then you'll be fine because they're still charging you a fare (the maximum possible one). If you forgot to tap in at both ends then that would be different - that's when you can get in trouble.

PKing Thank you, what a worry! Thanks so much for replying

Mari I used a contactless card for tube journey correctly going & returning all worked well but when home found my card had been locked - had a lengthy call to bank to unlock and enable another £30 limit to be drawn. Why would this be?

Staff Hi Mari. You'll have to ask your bank, but I know my bank would freeze my card if it was used for unusual things. It's a security thing, to protect your money. So if this was the very first time you've used contactless on the underground then they may have seen that as unusual.

Dean Can I use my iPhone and Apple watch to pay for a cashless train ticket

Staff Hi Dean. Yes, you can use Apple Pay. You just touch in and out the same way you would with a normal contactless card.

Pat Whaley If both my wife and I use the same card and scan it twice? As I do not have contactless on my card

Staff Hi Pat. No. Only one fare will be deducted. (The first time she taps down the computer will think she's entering the station, and the second time she taps down it will think she's leaving the station.) But she could use her card to buy you a ticket at the self-service machine. But then you'd be paying the cash fare instead of the contactless fare.

Tim Sharp Do you have to set anything up to use your contactless card, or does it just work? Also, not absolutely certain what the 'cap' means - does it just mean that when you reach a certain spend, your journeys effectively become free, or does the card stop working?

Staff Hi Tim. You don't have to set anything up. It's no different to using it in a shop, you just tap it down and it should work. The cap is the maximum amount the computer will take off your card in any one day, but you can still carry on making journeys after you reach it. And you still have to carry on tapping down - you just won't be charged.

Tim Sharp Thanks, that's very helpful - we'll just use our contactless cards this weekend then

Lyn Do you still get issued with a ticket if you pay by contactless. If not how does the ticket person know you have paid for the train

Staff Hi Lyn. You don't get a ticket with contactless. If an inspector wants to check you've paid then he has a little handheld reader which he'll touch against your card.

Fiona Gee Can I use my phone (Apple Pay) as a contactless payment for a tube fare, like I do in a shop?

Staff Hi Fiona. You can, yes. It works in exactly the same way

JC Hi, am I right to understand that for contactless weekly cap, it will work just right if travels begin Monday and the cap will be computed and charged to the bank/debit card on Sunday? If there is no travel whatsoever on 1 day of the week, what happens then? Will it be charged as daily cap until the next Monday begins? Thanks.

Staff Hi JC. That's right, it only counts from Mon to Sun. Your account will still get charged fares at the end of each day (or the daily cap, or whatever you owed), but if the accumulated total reaches the weekly cap before the end of Sunday night then it will stop charging you. You don't have to travel every day, but you would have to travel for at least 5 or 6 days to reach the total (depending on which zones you are travelling through).

Tara Hi can you explain how the contactless works for me please. I am making a one off journey from Oxford Circus to Liverpool Street and then a day later Liverpool Street to Paddington. If for instance I got the central line to Oxford Circus then Bakerloo line to Paddington, is this two payments or should I get Hammersmith line direct to Paddington from Liverpool St? Thanks in advance,

Staff Hi Tara. You tap down at the start of the journey, and then again at the end of your journey. When you change trains in the middle of the journey you don't have to pass through any barriers, so there's no need to tap down. All you're doing is walking between different platforms. It's only when you pass through some barriers and exit the station that your journey comes to an end.

Bob Howard If two adults are travelling together, but have only one contactless card with them, how do the both pay at the same time with the contactless card?

Staff Hi Bob. You can't. If only one of you has a contactless card, then only one of you gets a contactless fare. It's not possible to tap down twice and pay two fares. But you can use the card to buy a paper ticket at the self-service machine for your partner if you want - but then you'll be paying the cash fare instead.

Mary Where can I get a contactless card?

Staff Hi Mary. It's just your everyday bank card. If you've got an old one that hasn't got the contactless symbol on it then you might have to ask your bank to send you a new one

Tort If I use my debit card (contactless) how many journeys can I use it for in one day as I see there is a daily cap. I need to get to Greenwich and then to North Greenwich from Paddington. Two of these journeys will be at peak times.

Staff Hi Tort. There's no limit. You can make as many journeys as you like. Once the accumulated total reaches the cap the computer will stop charging you, but you can still carry on making journeys

Tony The cap for contactless is that all I will be charged if I travel all day

Staff Hi Tony. As long as you use the same card each time, yes. That is the maximum amount you will be charged in one day

Nigel I notice off peak travel from zone 1-6 on the underground is between 09:30 & 16:00. I'll be using a contactless card so does my journey have to end by 16:00 or does it still apply if I start at, say, 15:45

Staff Hi Nigel. The only thing that matters is when your journey starts. If it starts during off-peak hours then it will be charged as off-peak. It doesn't matter when it ends.

Kathghee If my daughter and I use contactless payment for our single journey where do we buy a ticket for 12 year old grandchild travelling with us?

Staff Hi KathGhee. All underground stations have self-service ticket machines, so you can use your contactless card to buy her a ticket from there

Joan If I use contactless on the tube and I have a child with me who goes free, how do they get through the barrier?

Staff Hi Joan. All tube stations have extra-wide gates for people with buggies and wheelchairs. Just use that one and you'll have plenty of space to walk through together. If he doesn't make it you can ask a member of staff at the barrier to swipe him through

MP Can I use contactless on overground trains as well as the tube and do they both have a daily cap? Thanks in advance

Staff Hi MP. You can use contactless on the overground as well, but only if the stations are inside the Oyster fare zones. Here's a map which shows all the underground and overground stations inside the zones: tfl.gov.uk/​cdn/​static/cms/images/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.gif

Mandy M Sorry to sound so dim but by contactless card do u mean my normal debit cash card?

Staff Hi Mandy. That's right, yes. It's just the normal bank card that you use to do your everyday shopping

Philip B Can I just confirm that if I intend to use contactless card for the same fares as an Oyster card I have no need to do anything other than turn up with my card, IE no need to set up any account etc, thanks for useful site.

Staff Hi Philip. That's correct, yes. You don't have to set up an account if you don't want to. It just does some handy things like log all your journeys so you can see where you've been and what you were charged, but that's about it, really.

Helen To purchase a day cap contactless for zone 1, do I simply scan my debit card at the turnstile at each station I use? Regardless of the number of trips, does it only debit the daily cap price? Do I then not need a ticket as such? Thanks, I have never used contactless before.

Staff Hi Helen. You don't buy a daily cap. Every time you touch your contactless card down on the gate the computer will charge you the relevant fare. It will also keep track of the accumulated total throughout the course of the day, and as soon as it recognises that you've reached the daily cap it will stop charging you (but you still need to carry on tapping down for each journey). And you don't need a ticket - just your bank card.

LBS Coming down for 4 nights with my daughter (12) and will use my contactless card for payment on tube... Can I just scan my card twice each time, or will I need to use one card for me and one for my daughter?

Staff Hi LBS. You have to use two different cards. If you try touching it down twice with one card then it will still only take one fare. The first time you touch down it will think you are entering the station, and the second time you touch down it will think you are leaving the station. If you've only got one card then buy her a ticket at the self-service machine with it, and then touch it down on the gate for yourself (but then she'll be paying the cash fare instead, rather than the contactless fare)

Bil How do I get a receipt if I use contactless payment

Staff Hi Bil. It's not possible to get one at the gate, but if you register your card on the TFL website beforehand it will give you a journey history and log all the payments it took.

Lily This site is brilliant and explained so much. One thing I am still not sure about, my 12 year old daughter and I are coming for a day out in London soon, staying in Zone 1, and want to use just buses not the underground. I would rather use contactless payment but realise I will not be able to do this for her too, what would the easiest thing be to do in this situation?

Staff Hi Lily. I would probably get her on Oyster card. It might seem that a 1-day bus-only travelcard is cheap because it only cost £5.20, but you will also need to pay a £5 deposit on top for a brand-new oyster card (assuming that she doesn't have one), because the 1-day bus-only travelcards only come loaded onto an oyster card. The bus+train travelcards do come as a paper ticket, but they are more expensive - £13:90. So seeing as you've got to pay the £5 deposit for a brand-new Oyster card anyway you may as well just get her one of them, because the daily cap on the bus is only £4.65. (If you'd rather not have the hassle of getting an oyster card on the day then maybe just order her 1-day bus+train travelcard straight from the TFL website for £13:90, and have it posted to you. It's not possible to buy the bus-only ones from their website)

Eunice Hello, May i know is that ok sometimes i use apply pay on phone, another time i use my contactless card? (They are actually the same bank a/c) just wondering will they still count as the same account to meet the daily cap? Thanks!

Staff Hi Eunice. It has to be the same card every time, not just the same account. But I’ve got an inkling that Apple Pay doesn’t pass your card number over, so the computer wouldn’t be able to match the two together. I would check with TFL to be sure - tfl.gov.uk/​help-and-contact/​contact-us-about-tube-and-rail

Ian Hi how would i get my 4 year old grandchild through the barrier/gate if he travels for free?

Staff Hi Ian. There's always at least one extra wide barrier for wheelchairs and people with luggage. If you use that then there will be plenty of space for her to get through beside you. But if she misses it then all you have to do is ask a member of staff behind the barrier and they will let her through

Dave Dee If my 14 yr old uses a bank card for contactless, does she get the child discount or will she have to pay full fare. Regards David

Staff Hi David. She’ll just pay an adult fare. There are no child discounts for contactless. (The reason is because bank cards don’t contain any information about your age, so the computer has no way of knowing you’re a kid)

Altaf Hussain Hi there, I want to travel on Saturday from Victoria u g to wimbledon main station. Can please tell me the total return cost of the journey. Many thanks.

Staff Hi Altaf. Look in the table under zones 1-3, off-peak. There are no return fares, you just pay the same price as two singles

Derek Can I buy a card from Canada and have it sent to me

Staff Hi Derek. Not a contactless card, no, because it’s a bank card. It comes with a bank account. But you can get a Visitor Oyster card sent over - londondrum.com/​transport/​visitor-oyster-cards.php

Susan Hi. We will be travelling with 4 children ages 10, 7, 5 and 10 months. Will they need their own tickets to use the train?

Staff Hi Susan. No, they can all travel for free (if accompanied by an adult) - londondrum.com/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Anna My partner doesn’t have a bank account can she use my applePay (on phone) and I use use my bank card as they both come out of the same account?

Staff Hi Anna. To quote directly from TFL: “You can pay for someone else's travel with your contactless card or device if they're travelling with you. You need to pay for your own travel with a different card or device” So if it’s the same card on ApplePay then the answer would seem to be no. But they also say you can pay with a different device, so maybe. [You could certainly use your card to buy your partner a ticket at the self service machine (for the cash fare) and use your card to get the contactless fare for yourself.] But you really need to ask TFL for a definitive answer - tfl.gov.uk/​help-and-contact/​

Derek John Charlton My wife and I each have a contactless card for the same account, can we use them on the tube. Thanks

Staff Hi Derek. Yes, as long as you each have your own card. (You can't tap one card down twice and have it take two fares.) To quote TFL: "If you have a joint bank account, you can usually both use your contactless cards to travel as each card will be charged separately."

Sophia Hi! I'll be arriving in the UK via Heathrow with my parents on 15th December and will stay in London till 20th December, before making our way to Cambridge. My cards are foreign banks and I take note of your reminder about the exchange rates charges. That said, would it be wise for us to purchase the 1-day travelcard daily, or the weekly travelcard to be used on the London tube and buses during our stay in London? Also, can we use the same travelcard for the bus ride to Cambridge? Many thanks!

Staff Hi Sophia. You'd normally have to make at least 3 journeys on the six days you're in London for it to work out cheaper than contactless, but seeing as you might have extra charges on your foreign bank card you're probably better off with the weekly travelcard. You can't use it to Cambridge though, because that's too far away. you'll have to buy a completely separate ticket for that. Note: If you want to use the travelcard from Heathrow then you'll have to get zones 1-6, but you probably don't need to use zones 1-6 all week (you'll likely only need zones 1-2, depending on where you're going). so you could buy a zones 1-2 card and then just buy yourself single tickets at Heathrow station to get you into London, which will save you about 18 quid

STEPHEN NICHOLS I'm travelling from East Croydon 12:00 to Gatwick Airport. I notice a day return is cheaper than 2 singles. Will contactless charge the cheaper day return rate or 2 singles?

Staff Hi Stephen. Gatwick is outside the zones so there are no separate contactless fares. all youre doing is paying a normal gatwick fare with your card. if you want a return ticket youd have to buy it at the machine beforehand

STEPHEN NICHOLS Thank you replying to my day return ticket or contactless East Croydon to Gatwick question. Nat rail website flagged up oyster and contactless has been extended to certain stations including Gatwick. A normal single ticket is £5.70 or off peak day return £6.90. However contactless to Gatwick was flagged up as £3.40 each way making £6.80 return. Contactless best for the 2 journeys.

Staff Hi Stephen. Bit difficult to check without knowing your date, but when we look on the national rail website for East Croydon to Gatwick its just coming up as £6,90 for a return. two singles are coming up as 2 x £5,70. can't find that £3,40 fare.

STEPHEN NICHOLS Hi, typed East Croydon to Gatwick weekday 11am return 3.30 pm. On Nat rail website 'Train time & tickets' section just above "Departs at" info top left of website page was “with Oyster or Contactless (pay as you go) from £6.80". However this is only cheaper if I journey back before 4 pm else it rises to £8.90 return when the day return ticket £6.90 is best. Thanks for taking time with earlier two questions.

Nell Hello sorry if this sounds daft. I'm only in London one day a Thursday. I will be going from Earls Court to London Bridge. I understand I just tap my card to get onto the stations, there is no added cost to using the contactless. I don't want to get home and find the cost is more than i was expecting. Thank You for reading my request.

Staff Hi Nell. That’s right, that’s all you have to do. The only way you’d be charged extra is if you forget to tap down at either end, and get a penalty fare. Or if your card is from a foreign bank, then your bank might charge an extra fee on top.

Sue Is there a child fare and do i have to purchase this?

Staff Hi Sue. There are no child fares for contactless, only adult ones. Here are all the child fares - londondrum.com/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Steven Hi, my family and I (3 adults) had used our contactless cards to pay for a bus (number 427) ride from Ealing Broadway to Ealing Common on Saturday 12/3/22 at 20:00 as Ealing Common tube station was closed for some works. We were each charged 7.45 GBP so it seems to be a most expensive bus ride for such a short distance. Is there any way to get a reimbursement?

Staff Hi Steven. We can't see anything that costs £7.45, so we don't know how that came about. If you haven't registered your contactless card with TFL beforehand (most people don't) then TFL only keep the last 7 days of your journey history so you'll have to query it in the next few days. See '7 day journey & payment history' on this page - contactless.tfl.gov.uk/​UnregisteredCustomer/​Show

Robert Hi , when using a contactless card , say i go from heathrow to paddington , do i tap my card when i enter And exit when i get to paddington ? then from there just use my card to enter and exit different stations thank you

Staff Hi Robert, You have to tap down at both ends of the journey, yes. thats so the computer knows which route you took and what to charge you.

Debbie I’ve been in London for 3 days using my contactless card to travel in zone 1 only, one journey was in peak time. I have been charged 2 separate charges; £21 & £5. I thought my daily journeys would be capped at £7.70 per day making the cost £23.10. Am I missing something.

Staff Hi Debbie. The £5 is probably two single fares of £2.50 (the system waits until the end of the day before it charges you, to see if you reached the cap, and then charges you a lump sum). But I can't imagine what the £21 was. Did you maybe get a train from Gatwick? Because that price wouldn't be included in the cap. But you can check the last 7 days of payments on the TFL website, even if you haven't registered the card - contactless.tfl.gov.uk (check the link for '7 day journey and payment history')

Debbie Hi no I travelled to Kings Cross, walked to Leicester Square on the first day. I haven’t left Zone 1 on any of the days. I used an Uber boat on the second day, would that have been included in the £21 charge? I thought I would be charged for that separately. I’ll give the link you sent a try. Thanks.

Staff Thats probably what it was… maybe a £16:10 return ticket on Uber, which isnt included in the cap, and then a couple of £2.50 single fares - thamesclippers.com/​plan-your-journey/​ticket-information

Yesi I will travel from Newcastle to London Kings Cross and from London Kings Cross to Paddington to get Heathrow express. 1.) How to get the tube ticket from Kings Cross to Paddington? Can I use contactless? 2.) Do I need to exit the gate to get Heathrow express from Paddington station? How if I use contactless but not exit the gate from Paddington?

Staff Hi Yesi. You can use contactless for Kings Cross to Paddington. You don't need a ticket, you just tap your bank card down on the gate, as explained on this page. You will have to exit the barriers at Paddington, because you need to leave the underground part and go up to the National Rail platforms to catch the Heathrow Express. You can then use contactless on the Heathrow Express as well if you want, but you'll probably find it cheaper to buy a ticket online in advance

Maria Hi, I'll be travelling with my 10 year old son. Will I have to pay separately for him if using contactless? Or can he travel for free since he's with a paying adult?

Staff Hi Maria. Kids under 11 travel for free, but if he's 10 and looks over 11 you might want to take proof of age just in case one of the staff queries it - londondrum.com/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Bill Where to get contactless card

Staff Hi Bill. It’s just your normal everyday bank card, so you need a bank account

Claire Just check every time enter station and leave I scan my contactless card ? I’m coming for day on Sunday want go to London eye then not sure where else at minute thanks my daughter will be ten.

Staff Hi Clare, Thats right, yes. On the trains you touch down at both ends of the journey. But on the buses you only do it when you get on.

Harsh Shall I use same bank account to tap for 2 person tickets? One by card and another contactless tap by phone.

Staff Hi Harsh, that will only work if its a different card number. you cant use one card to pay two contactless fares

Josie I'll be visiting London on a Tuesday arriving at Kings X and traveling to the Barbican (using the tube) for the Museum of London. Both of which are in zone 1 I believe. I will use contactless, and understand that I need to tap before taking the tube, and tap again when exiting. Will I just be charged for that single journey, and another single journey from the Barbican to Kings X (on my return) or some other amount ie a cap? Please explain what the 'cap' is, how much it is, and how it works. Thanking you.

Staff Hi Josie. You tap in at the start of each journey, and tap out again at the end. You will be charged two single fares (they dont do return fares on the underground). You’d only pay the daily cap if the total combined value of all your journeys that day equals it, but if you look at the fare table above you can see that two single fares are less than the daily cap. Its all explained in the ‘What is the Daily Cap’ section above.

Tony Can I use my bus pass on any bus?

Staff Hi Tony. It depends what one you’ve got. If you’re talking about a senior one issued outside of London, and it has a red rose symbol on it, then you can use it on TFL buses after 9 AM - londondrum.com/​transport/​senior-bus-fares.php

Pauline Hughes I have reached the daily zone 4 cap £11. If I now get a bus will the zone 4 cap apply or how do I find out if the bus I'm getting is in zone 5 which presumably increases the cap to zone 5 £13.10? I'm trying to work out my cheapest option ...

Staff Hi Pauline. Buses don't have zones (only trams and trains have zones). So if you've been catching trains in zones 1-4, and then get a bus in what would be zone 5 for a train, then you'll still get charged the zones 1-4 cap. But if you've been using buses all day, and no trains, then you'd use the cheaper cap shown here instead - londondrum.com/​transport/​adult-bus-fares.php

Eve Why is a contactless card charged as paying by cash when used in a ticket machine - no staff to ask for advice at the station - return journey from North Greenwich to Mile End charged at £12.60 rather than £3.40 a difference of £9.20 !!!

Staff Hi Eve. You don't need to buy a ticket from the machine if you're using contactless. You just tap your card down on the yellow reader by the gate. If you buy one from the machine you’ll always be paying the cash fare. Contactless fares rely on the computer tracking one person’s journey through their card, but it has no way of knowing who’s going to be using the paper ticket.

Gote Hi I got a Swedish Debit Bank / Visa card. can I use that as contactless card (since it is a foreign / non British bank card)?

Staff Hi Gote. The only ones that TFL mention as definitely being okay are (quote) "American Express (AMEX) MasterCard and Maestro (some cards issued in the USA, Canada and the Netherlands aren't accepted), Visa and V PAY (some cards issued outside the UK aren't accepted)". So your visa card might be okay. We don't usually recommend it though, because they might add on a transaction fee every time you buy something abroad, which will include individual bus and train tickets.

GOTE Hi again If i have a contactless card and use it for travelling as follows - can you please verify prices and the use of the card. 1. Day one travelling from Heathrow to Tottenham Court Road I use the card at the gate once entering at Heathrow and once exiting at Tottenham Court Road? and nowhere in between? Which train / line to use and where to change if necessary? Total cost £5.00 2. During my stay in London there is a daily cap for travelling within zones 1-2 of £7.70? 3. When returning to Heathrow, the travel is as above just the opposite order?

Staff You can get the elizabeth line for £5,50 - londondrum.com/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=heathrow-terminals-1-2-3&to=tottenham-court-road . At the moment the daily cap is £7.70 for zones 1-2 (the prices always go up in March). And the return journey will be the same in the opposite order. But remember they might add on a transaction fee if it's a foreign card.

Brian I think I understand the cap. Does this apply to tube and bus or are they separate. Say I used up all my 8.10 tube fares, would I then be charged for using a TfL bus

Staff Hi Brian. If you use buses all day, and no trains, then you'll pay the bus daily cap, which is cheaper. But if you use trains all day, or a combination of trains and buses, then you'll pay the train daily cap instead. You wouldn't have to pay for the bus in your example, because once you reach the daily cap you can still carry on riding the buses and trains, but the computer stops charging you.

Jen If my journey starts with the tube at Waterloo and then I change to a train at Liverpool St, do I have to tap off the tube and then onto the train? Zone 1-3

Staff Hi Jen. If you're changing to another tube train at Liverpool Street, then no, you should be able to change platforms without passing through any barriers. But if you mean you're catching a National Rail train at Liverpool Street, then yes, you'll have to go through a gate and tap out.

Christine Remnant Do you need to tap your Card again when you finish your journey

Staff Hi Christine. Only on the trains. You don't have to tap them down again on the buses

Jean Hi, we're travelling from Westminster to Wembley Park on a Sunday paying for tickets via our Debit cards. Each of us will use contactless at the self service machines to get a paper ticket. Can we buy our outgoing and return tickets at the same time if staying within the same zones. And is the route we want to take direct or must we change

Staff Hi Jean. Assuming that you’ve both got UK bank cards, it would be better to just touch them down on the gate because then you’ll be paying the contactless fare. If you buy tickets at the machine you’ll be paying the cash fare, which is more expensive. If you do choose to pay at the machine there’s no such thing as a return fare, but you can choose a return journey. The price will be the same as two single journeys, and the machine will give you two single tickets. it is a direct train - londondrum.com/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=westminster&to=wembley-park

Deidre Gray Can you use a rail card when you pay contactessly with a credit card?

Staff Hi Deidre. Unfortunately not, no. Theres no way to load a railcard onto a bank card, only oyster cards. Oyster has the same fares as contactless, so maybe you can get one of them instead

Joanne I'll be travelling in London with my 11 year old daughter, just for one day and probably just two journeys in zone 1. I know there are no child fares but if she swipes one of my bank cards (contactless, and not the one I'll be using) is this OK? Presumably I'll just be charged adult fare for her?

Staff Hi Joanne. If they're two completely different card numbers then you could do it, but technically i’m not sure whether banks allow other people to use your card, even if you give your permission, which is something to be aware of. If you want to be safe then just buy her a paper ticket at the machine with your card… but then she’d be charged a cash fare

Tarun Hi, hope you're doing well. Is there any significant difference in price between using an Oyster card vs. a contactless card (aside from the £7 deposit). I will be staying in London long-term so would like to know which would be the best option in the long run. Thanks!!

Staff Hi Tarun. The fares are identical. The only time they might be different is if you had a foreign bank card, because some banks add on a transaction fee every time you use it overseas.

john Do we pay for children 16 years and below

Staff Hi John. 11-17 year olds from London can get discount fares with the right card. Under 11s are free - londondrum.com/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Carole Why do you not tap out when getting off the bus, how will it know what to charge. Also if I travel from deptford bridge station to cutty sark station can I use contactless to pay and do I tap on and off.

Staff Hi Carole. On a bus you pay for one journey, rather than the number of stops. It doesn't matter whether you travel one mile or five miles, it's still the same price. You can use contactless on the bus. You only have to tap when you get on, not off.

Jerry If I'm traveling from Heathrow to Tottenham court, then to Leicester square, then back from Tottenham to Heathrow using the E-line and the tube is that capped for one day at the zone 1-6 cap?

Staff Hi Jerry. No, because if you add up the individual journeys they don't quite reach the daily cap, so you'd be charged the individual fares instead (i make it £14, but it depends if your tottenham court road to leicester square bit is peak or off-peak)

Jerry I must be misinformed; I thought the fare from Heathrow to Tottenham on the E-line was 13.90 each way?

Staff We have found that mentioned on the internet, so we see what you're saying, but we've double-checked it on TFL's official fare finder page and it's coming up as normal underground prices (which is what we quoted above). They also mention the Elizabeth line at the top. Heres the page if you'd like to check -- tfl.gov.uk/​fares/​find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=54716 —- but we’ve sent a query to TFL to confirm

jerry Thank You for taking the time to inquire about this for me, i have not been able to find a definitive answer.

Staff Received a reply from TFL - "We appreciate how confusing this can be for the travelling public. Fares on the Elizabeth line are generally the same as fares on the Underground, but the single fare to and from Heathrow is £12,80 in Peak hours (£10,20 in Off-Peak hours). This compares favourably with Heathrow Express prices but the Tube fare is cheaper"

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Travel tips for a Fourth of July that's set to break records

Luke Garrett

Airports around the United States are preparing for what could be the busiest Fourth of July travel season on record. The nation's roads are no different. Traffic could reach never-before-seen volumes over the Independence Day holiday.

“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a press release. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever.”  

Nearly 71 million people are expected to make trips for the Independence Day travel period, AAA predicts.

Here's what to know about traveling for the holiday this week.

The TSA sets a new record and readies for another

Last week, a record-breaking 2.99 million passengers went through U.S. airports in a single day, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The agency said it's expecting a new travel record this week.

At Philadelphia International Airport, Gerardo Spero, the TSA’s federal security director for the airport, is dealing with an 8% passenger increase this year and is cautioning travelers to give themselves extra time.

“The best advice that I can offer is to get to the airport well before your ticketed departure time,” Spero said in a news release . “Now more than ever it is vital to give yourself plenty of time to park or return a rental car, check in with your airline to check bags and prepare for the security checkpoint."

There's usually no need to panic when planes make emergency landings. Here's why

Spero also said travelers can help each other out by being "efficient" in the security lines: take off shoes and belts preemptively, empty your pockets into your carry-on, and grab a bin early.

Over at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — where travel volumes are up 5% — the TSA wants travelers to double-check their carry-on bags before they get to the airport.

“We are asking travelers to be good partners with TSA and ensure that they are prepared for the screening process," TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko said in a release . "Please don’t bring prohibited items in your carry-on luggage."

The busiest airport days are expected to be July 3, 7 and 8, according to flight website Hopper . The company projects Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver airports to be the ones with the most travelers.

This rise in summer air travel comes amid heightened attention on aircraft maker Boeing's quality control practices after a door plug blew out on a 737 Max jet in midair at the start of the year. Still, flying is the safest way to travel .

On the road

Nearly one in five Americans are set to drive more than 50 miles this Fourth of July travel season, according to an AAA forecast .

If you want to beat the traffic, drive early. INRIX, a transportation data provider, said driving on Monday should save travelers time. Any day after that, the best time to drive is before 10 a.m.

“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7, as they return,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX , said in a statement. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal.” 

When driving on the wrong side of the road is the right way to speed up traffic

If you are preparing for a longer road trip with family and friends, AAA recommends running through this checklist: check kids' car seats, bring an emergency pack (first aid, jumper cables, snacks and water) and map the route.

At the pump, drivers can expect lower gas prices than last year with a gallon costing an average of $3.50. In 2023, gas cost $3.53 per gallon and in 2022, it cost nearly $5.

This year, the states with the most expensive gas are California ($4.80), Hawaii ($4.71), Washington ($4.21), Oregon ($4.07), Nevada ($4.04), Alaska ($3.90), Illinois ($3.88), Michigan ($3.70), Washington, D.C. ($3.66), and Indiana ($3.65).

Another cost to consider is tolls. Not all states have them, but check your route on Toll Guru to see how much change you might need on hand or how much money to have loaded on the E-ZPass.

The weather factor

High temperatures and a few thunderstorms are in the forecast for much of the country, according to AccuWeather . Both can cause travel delays.

The worst heat is expected in California.

Heat wave safety tips from the world's first chief heat officer

"It's going to be downright hot across the Southwest, especially in California and the Desert Southwest where record highs will be challenged," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joseph Bauer told the website.

The Southern Plains and Southeast regions are also expected to feel the heat over the Independence Day weekend with higher than average temperatures.

High temperatures can slow down travel. When temperatures get too high, railway tracks can start to bend — forcing trains to slow down or stop completely. And planes may face weight restrictions during severe heat.

Traveling during the morning or evening can help offset the risk of heat-related delays.

While much of the country will face high temperatures on the Fourth of July, the Northern Plains, Midwest and portions of the Northeast may see thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather.

Flight delays and cancellations

As a rule, airlines are required to offer travelers a refund or book them another flight if they cancel a passenger's flight. The rules surrounding flight delays are more complicated.

Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

This U.S. Department of Transportation chart offers a full list of specific airline cancellation and delay policies.

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Acknowledging Debate Debacle, Biden Says He ‘Fell Asleep on the Stage’

President Biden blamed his international travel schedule for his disjointed performance, calling it “not an excuse but an explanation.”

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By Michael D. Shear

Reporting from Washington

• July 2, 2024

President Biden acknowledged on Tuesday that he “fell asleep on the stage” during his disastrous debate last week, blaming his performance on the fact that he had traveled “around the world a couple times” in the two weeks before the face-off with former President Donald J. Trump.

“I wasn’t very smart,” Mr. Biden, 81, told donors at a fund-raiser in Virginia. “I decided to travel around the world a couple times, I don’t know how many time zones.”

“It’s not an excuse but an explanation,” he said.

White House officials have blamed Mr. Biden’s having a cold at the time for his disjointed debate performance. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, repeated that explanation at a briefing for reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

But Mr. Biden offered a different reason to the donors on Tuesday night. He referred to his decision to travel to France for several days two weeks before the debate and return to the United States before heading back to Europe for the Group of 7 summit in Italy.

He decided to make that cross-Atlantic trip back and forth, Mr. Biden said, blaming himself for not having “listened to my staff,” which he implied had told him not to do that. He said the decision caused him to be tired during the debate.

Mr. Biden’s comments came as the White House struggled to respond to a chorus of anxiety within the Democratic Party about whether the president is capable of mounting a winning campaign against Mr. Trump in November.

For more than a year, Mr. Biden and his aides have repeatedly denied that the president’s age has affected his ability to perform his duties. They have repeatedly criticized journalists who raised the issue that large majorities of voters say they believe Mr. Biden is too old to be president.

But the debate, which was watched by about 51 million people, raised serious doubts among voters and many Democratic activists. Lawmakers in the party also expressed concerns, with Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas on Tuesday becoming the first Democrat in Congress to call on Mr. Biden to drop out of the race.

The president and his campaign have refused to even consider doing that. They say Mr. Biden remains determined to stay in the race and to defeat Mr. Trump, who he says is a threat to democracy in America.

Michael D. Shear is a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covering President Biden and his administration. He has reported on politics for more than 30 years. More about Michael D. Shear

Keep Up With the 2024 Election

The presidential election is 125 days away . Here’s our guide to the run-up to Election Day.

Tracking the Polls. The state of the race, according to polling data.

Biden’s Age Concerns. How did Democrats get here? We asked top party leaders.

Trump’s 2025 Plans. Trump is preparing to radically reshape the government if he regains power.

Trump’s V.P. Contenders. The pros and cons of Trump’s top choices.