How to buy and use the London Oyster travel card

Information for first time user/tourist to London on how to buy and use the Transport for London (TfL) Oyster travel card.

[grahampinnock]

You sound very young. I have to commend you on the accurate information you provided. The steady handheld video footage of how to use the ticket machine to buy oyster cards is fantastic. The still frame to illustrate key points is well used and not just for the sake of it.
My friend is coming from Belgium. I will send him this excellent tutorial.

[canturkoz]

Very informative, thank you... I will travel with my family (spouse, 9 yr old, 14 yr old children) and stay 5 days. So are there any discounts or free travel for children? I saw a family option on the screen in the video...

[giorgosmpilios]

The video is very clear and useful, thank you very much !

[glendagallardo]

Very useful indeed. Thank you so much.

[bobvila]

Very w on the well done and explained! I'LL be in London for 8 days next spring. So I intent to buy the Oyster card and load-it with 7 days travel card. For the additionnal day, can I just top on the card? Merci beaucoup from Montréal!!

[ronaldrayner]

Some fellow said he uses his Oyster card, because losing his debit card would be more annoying. Last year I used the Oyster, but ran out of funds on the card, a transit fellow told me to use my debit card, perfect. I didn't expect I'd be back for a 3rd visit , but if I do get back, as planned, I will definitely use the Oyster up to the last trip. Last year in Munich I dropped the debit card by accident, but was lucky to notice, so the less it comes out of my pocket the better, it is a hell'uva long swim back to Canukia (Canada)

[davidyoung]

I am always worried about constantly having to use a credit card when I travel, so using the Oyster Card seems to be the better alternative for me. I've seen elsewhere that you can get Oyster Cards prior to arriving at the airport. Are there any advantages to getting an Oyster Card beforehand, or is it easier (cheaper?) to get a card upon arrival?

[isabelmarr]

Now all the credit card can use, even the one issues in another countries. I just came from London, and all my transportation i had used my Visa card from abroad.

[mudchutedlr]

'ticket machine that you will find at every station'
i could probably list a decent amount of tube stations without those, as old as barking and as new as battersea power station. of course, ticket machines exist at those stations, and i think all stations (idk about select stations like roding valley) but they are different to use

you don't need to touch out on bus (as mentioned) or tram (not mentioned). i wouldn't say tourists really use the tram but it's worth mentioning. touch in and out on all london underground, docklands light railway, and mainliner trains including the elizabeth line and london overground

this isn't a bad video, unlike most on this topic, but i just thought id mention that

[aboutnol]

Hey, you said the contactless card may not work if it's from a foreign bank. Is it also for the Google pay or only for the credit card? Thanks

[matlepak]

i heard the train services on weekends have been disrupted the last 2 years due to strikes. Is it finally over?

[carforumwanker]

MANY people are using all zones and only get a MAX charge of £1 per day.Its fully Legal and the Bank card they use only gets charged a £1 !! They are not committing fraud etc etc . TFL should easily know who they are as their multi million pound software should throw up warnings etc .Seen it with my own eyes .There is a HUGE growing black market in the sale of these bank cards .

[azti]

Hello! will Oyster card save me more money or it's not needed if I have apple pay?

[paultrewin]

If using Apple Pay or Google Pay or a credit or debit card, make sure you use a sterling one. Foreign exchange charges by the banks are ridiculous.

[nightking]

Is there any app on phone we can pay with?

[trendingwwwandw]

👍 new sub (❁´◡`❁) Like 297 very useful and informative video !

[christiansfortruth]

Thank you for that. I will now tell them to stuff off and use my credit card 😊😊😊😊 seven poundsindeed. Rio off is right. Thank the bkoidy mayor for that can we?