How Much Is an Oyster Card in London?

By Alice Nichols

Are you planning a trip to London and wondering how much an Oyster card costs? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need to know about the cost of an Oyster card in London.

What is an Oyster Card?

Before we get into the cost, let’s first understand what an Oyster card is. An Oyster card is a smart card used for public transportation in London.

It can be used on the tube, buses, trams, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line cable car, River Bus services and most National Rail services in London. The card can be topped up with money or loaded with a travel pass and can save you time and money on your travels.

Cost of an Oyster Card

The cost of an Oyster card depends on whether you’re buying it for adult or child use. For adults, there is a £5 refundable deposit when purchasing a new Oyster card. If you already have an Oyster card or a contactless payment card that works like one, then there is no need to pay the deposit again.

Once you have your Oyster card, you can add credit to it as needed for your travels. The cost of each journey will depend on what zones you are traveling in and how far you are going.

Oyster Card Fares

  • Peak fares: Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) from 06:30 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 19:00.
  • Off-peak fares: Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) from 09:30 until 16:00 and after 19:00; all day Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.

Adult Oyster Card Fares (Peak)

  • Zone 1: £2.40
  • Zones 1-2: £2.90
  • Zones 1-3: £3.30
  • Zones 1-4: £3.90
  • Zones 1-5: £4.70
  • Zones 1-6: £5.10

Adult Oyster Card Fares (Off-Peak)

  • Zone 1: £2.40
  • Zones 1-3: £2.80
  • Zones 1-4: £2.80
  • Zones 1-5: £3.10
  • Zones 1-6: £3.10

Oyster Card Daily Cap (Peak and Off-Peak)

Once you have reached the daily cap limit for your zones of travel, any additional journeys will be free for the remainder of the day.

  • Daily Caps (Monday to Sunday)
    • – Zones 1-2: Peak – £7.20 / Off-Peak – £6.80
    • – Zones 1-3: Peak – £8.50 / Off-Peak – £8.00
    • – Zones 1-4: Peak – £10.40 / Off-Peak – £9.80
    • – Zones 1-5: Peak – £12.30 / Off-Peak – £11.60
    • – Zones 1-6: Peak – £13.50 / Off-Peak – £12.80

Conclusion

In conclusion, an Oyster card is a cost-effective and convenient way to travel around London. The cost of the card varies depending on whether it’s for adult or child use, and there is a refundable deposit for new adult cards.

The fares depend on the zones you’re traveling in and whether it’s peak or off-peak hours. Once you reach the daily cap limit for your zones of travel, any additional journeys will be free for the remainder of the day.

So, don’t hesitate to get an Oyster card on your next trip to London and enjoy hassle-free travels!