Visitor Oyster Card is a smart travel card specifically designed for tourists visiting London. It is a convenient option for getting around the city, as it can be used on the Underground, buses, trams, DLR, Overground, and some National Rail services, as well as on TfL River Bus services and the Emirates Air Line (London’s cable car over the Thames).
What is the Visitor Oyster Card?
The Visitor Oyster Card is a special prepaid travel card for tourists that can be purchased at airports, train stations, shops in London, and online before your arrival in the city. This card is preloaded with credit and is used to pay for public transport in London, offering more economical fares than single tickets.
Advantages of the Visitor Oyster Card
- Easy to buy: Available at airports, train stations, shops in London, and online, with the option to have it delivered to your home before your trip.
- Easy to use: Simply touch the card on the yellow readers when entering and exiting stations, and when boarding buses and trams.
- Save money: Fares are cheaper than single tickets or travelcards, and there is a daily fare cap to ensure you don’t pay more than necessary in a single day.
- Save time: Avoid queues upon arrival in London, as the card is ready to use from the moment you arrive.
- Discounts: Offers discounts at restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions for those who use it.
- Tourist information: Includes a London guide with information on places of interest, restaurants, and shops.
- Credit that doesn’t expire: Unused credit can be used on future visits to London.
How does the Visitor Oyster Card work?
- Buy the card: Purchase the Visitor Oyster Card at an airport, train station, shop in London, or online.
- Load the card: You can load the card with credit at ticket machines, Oyster Ticket Stops, TfL visitor centers, and London Overground ticket offices. Preloaded credit options range from £10 to £50.
- Use the card: Touch the card on the yellow readers when entering and exiting stations, and when boarding buses and trams. The card automatically adjusts the daily fare to ensure you never pay more than the cost of a daily travelcard.
- Top up the card: Top up the card when the credit runs out. The credit doesn’t expire and can be used on future visits to London.
Prices and Discounts
- Standard fare: A journey on the London Underground costs £2.90 during peak hours and £2.30 off-peak within zones 1 and 2.
- Discounts: The Visitor Oyster Card automatically applies the lowest available fares and has a daily fare cap to ensure you don’t pay more than necessary.
- Bus fare: Each bus journey costs £1.75.
- Daily cap: For unlimited travel in a day within zones 1 and 2, the maximum fare is £7.70.
Who can buy a Visitor Oyster Card?
Visitor Oyster Cards can be purchased by any adult. Additionally, each adult can travel with up to 4 children under 11 years old, who can travel for free on the Underground, DLR, and Overground.
What’s the difference between a standard Oyster Card and a Visitor Oyster Card?
- Cost: The Visitor Oyster Card has an activation and shipping fee of £5, which is non-refundable. In contrast, the standard Oyster Card requires a refundable deposit of £5.
- Use of Travelcards: Standard Oyster Cards allow you to load weekly, monthly, or annual Travelcards. Visitor Oyster Cards only work as “Pay as you go” cards and do not allow you to load these passes. However, they automatically adjust the daily fare so you never pay more than a daily Travelcard.
- Refund of unused credit: Getting a refund for unused credit on a Visitor Oyster Card can be complicated, as it requires filling out forms and the refund is issued by cheque.
- Online availability: The Visitor Oyster Card can be purchased online before arriving in London and delivered to your home, allowing you to avoid queues and have it ready to use from the moment you arrive.
- Standard design: Although it cannot be personalized, the Visitor Oyster Card has a unique design that many tourists keep as a souvenir of their trip.
Tips for using the Visitor Oyster Card
- Recommended initial load: For 2 days in London, it is recommended to start with £15 credit. For 4 days, £30 initial credit is recommended.
- Top up as needed: Top up the card when the credit runs out to avoid problems during your journeys.
- Use the card on all public transport methods: The Visitor Oyster Card is valid on the Underground, buses, trams, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line, River Bus, and most National Rail services in London.
In summary, the Visitor Oyster Card is a convenient and economical option for visitors planning to frequently use public transport in London. Although it has some limitations compared to the standard Oyster Card, it remains a popular choice among tourists.