If you’re planning a trip to London, one of the first things you’ll want to figure out is how to get around the city. One popular option for tourists and locals alike is the Oyster card. But just how much does an Oyster card cost?
What is an Oyster Card?
First things first, let’s talk about what an Oyster card actually is. An Oyster card is a rechargeable smartcard that can be used to pay for public transportation in London. It can be used on the London Underground, buses, trams, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line cable car, and some National Rail services.
How much does an Oyster Card cost?
The cost of an Oyster card depends on whether you’re getting a new card or simply topping up an existing one. If you’re getting a new card, there’s a £5 refundable deposit that you’ll need to pay upfront. If you’re simply topping up your existing card, there’s no deposit required.
In addition to the deposit, you’ll also need to add some money onto your card for travel. This money is referred to as “pay as you go” credit and can be used to pay for individual journeys or daily caps. The amount of pay as you go credit that you add onto your card will depend on how much traveling you plan on doing.
How much does it cost per journey?
The cost per journey with an Oyster card varies depending on which mode of transportation you’re using and what time of day it is. For example, if you’re traveling during peak hours (Monday through Friday from 6:30am-9:30am and 4pm-7pm), your fare will be more expensive than if you’re traveling during off-peak hours.
To give you an idea of the costs, here are some examples of peak and off-peak fares for different modes of transportation:
London Underground
- Peak: £2.40 – £6.00
- Off-peak: £2.40 – £2.90
Buses
- Peak: £1.50
- Off-peak: £1.50
Trams
- Peak: £2.40
- Off-peak: £1.70
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
- Peak: £2.50 – £5.50 – £2.80
TfL Rail and London Overground
- Peak: £2.40 -£10.60 (depending on zones traveled)
- Off-peak: £2.40 -£5.10 (depending on zones traveled)
How much does a daily cap cost?
If you’re planning on doing a lot of traveling in one day, it might make sense to purchase a daily cap instead of paying for individual journeys. A daily cap is the maximum amount that you’ll be charged for travel in a single day.
The cost of a daily cap also varies depending on which modes of transportation you’re using and what time of day it is.
Here are some examples of daily caps:
London Underground and buses (Zone 1-2)
- Peak: £7.20
- Off-peak: £6.80
London Overground and TfL Rail (Zone 1-2)
- Peak: £10.60
- Off-peak: £7.00
Buses and trams only (all zones)
- £4.50
Where can you buy an Oyster Card?
You can purchase an Oyster card online, at a ticket machine or ticket office in London, or at a Visitor Centre. You can also top up your card online, at a ticket machine or ticket office, or at an Oyster Ticket Stop (a shop that displays the blue Oyster logo).
In summary, the cost of an Oyster card depends on whether you’re getting a new card or topping up an existing one, and how much pay as you go credit you add onto your card for travel. The cost per journey varies depending on which mode of transportation you’re using and what time of day it is. If you’re doing a lot of traveling in one day, it might make sense to purchase a daily cap instead of paying for individual journeys.