Using public transportation in London is easy, reliable, and convenient. However, ticket costs can really add up if you are paying for each trip separately. We were so please when we discovered the Oyster card, because it cut our transportation costs in half. We have created this video to answer some questions, and below there is a summary of the information:
Oyster cards can be purchased at most major Tube stations, as well as some other authorized retailers. You can have them shipped to you for a fee, but there is not really a need to do that, since you can buy them at the ticket machine in the London Heathrow airport.
Oyster cards have daily caps for each zone, so you won’t pay more for your fares after you reach the daily cap. Most travelers stay in zones 1-3. You can find a map of the zones, and up to date daily caps at the TFL website.
Many Tube stations feature gates that only Oyster card users can access (in addition to the regular gates), which means that you can breeze past inexperienced tourists and get on with you day.
Oyster cards do have an initial cost, which is reasonable considering the savings.
It is a good idea to keep Oyster cards accessible so you can enter and exit the stations quickly. Here is a great case to keep your card looking fresh, and to help you find it more quickly.
We are not affiliated with the TFL or Oyster. We do not receive any commission for recommending them. We just really love the Oyster card and want you to benefit from our information.