The Oyster smart card system has significantly changed the way London’s “tube” operates.
An Oyster card allows you to use most of London’s public transport network (though a few stations remain outside the system).
It lets you bag discounts on the standard fare as well as allowing you to avoid the inconvenience of queueing for tickets.
The system automatically saves you valuable cents by working out the cheapest amount to charge at the end of the day based on your journeys undertaken.
If you travel more than planned, it automatically bills you the cheapest sum instead of expensive single tickets.
So does this scheme have any pitfalls?
It can feel a bit complex to start with, as you need to buy an Oyster card which costs a small deposit. You should however make this back in money saved very fast.
You also need to “touch the card in and out” for all legs of your journey. But you’ll pick this up fast if you mimic the scores of London commuters you’ll see every weekday.
Unless your trip to London is an extremely short visit, you are well-advised to get yourself an Oyster card. As far as we are aware, Oyster cards do not expire: you should be free to use them on future visits to London.
If you don’t expect to return to London shortly, you can normally get your deposit back (but do check the process at the London Underground ticket kiosk before you buy).
There is a “Visitor Oyster” card which you can buy from some outlets but it’s not 100% clear at the moment what its benefits are to tourists.
If you really don’t want an Oyster card, you should at least make sure that you buy the cheapest London travelcard for unlimited access to the tube and buses for the entire day. But you may need to wait until after 9.30am on weekdays to access the cheapest fares.
You could also grab a weekly travelcard for an even bigger discount in case you’re in London for longer, but this does mean that you need some sort of photo.
Remember that Oyster cards and travelcards are valid on both the tube and buses, though not all national rail stations are covered. Please check before you travel.
For further info about the Oyster and public transport system in London it is useful to visit the official Transport for London website.
Finally, always wait until later than 9.30am on a weekday to avoid paying London’s super-expensive peak fares.
The author shares inside tips on the best of London in addition to real-time London hotel tips on Twitter.
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