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How Much Money Can I Save With A London Oyster Card?
The Oyster smart card has massively improved London's "tube" system.
An Oyster card gives you the right to use almost all the London train and bus network (although the odd station surprisingly stays out of the system).
It provides a big discount on standard fares and also helps save you time in queueing to buy 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 end up travelling a bit more than expected, it will automatically charge only the cheapest day fare instead of expensive individual tickets.
So does the Oyster scheme have any downside?
It can feel a bit daunting initially as you must purchase an Oyster card. This will cost a small deposit, which you ought to quickly recoup in the money you save.
You also need to "touch in and touch out" your Oyster card throughout your journey. But you should get used to this quickly by copying the many Londoners who use the system.
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 to get an Oyster card, do make sure you always get hold of the cheapest day "travelcard" - giving you unlimited day travel on both the Underground and buses. Do however wait until after 9.30am on a weekday to avoid paying the most expensive fares.
You can also get a weekly travelcard for a greater discount if you're staying longer, but this does require you to provide a photo.
Remember: Oyster cards and travelcards can be used on both the tube and bus system, though not at all national rail stations. Do check before you travel.
For more information about Oyster and public transport in London, do visit the official Transport for London website.
Finally, do wait beyond 9.30am on a weekday to sidestep London's very expensive peak-time fares.
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