The Oyster smart card has massively improved London's "tube" system.
An Oyster card allows you to use most of London's public transport network (though a few stations remain outside the system).
It gets you a huge discount on standard fares and helps avoid the hassle of queueing to buy tickets.
The system automatically saves you money by calculating the lowest fare at the end of each day based on your exact travel that day.
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 sometimes be a bit complicated for new London visitors, since you have to buy an Oyster card in advance. You may need to pay a few quid deposit (but you should get this back quickly in savings).
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.
So unless your trip to London is a very brief trip, you're certainly advised to get onto the Oyster scheme. As far as I know, Oyster cards have no expiry date: you should be able to use them when you return 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 special "Visitor Oyster" card available from certain selling points which is meant to be specifically for tourists. But it does not appear to have any particular benefits currently.
If you absolutely don't wish to deal with an Oyster card, please ensure that you always buy the cheapest London travelcard for unlimited travel for the day on both the tube and buses. But you should wait until after 9.30am on a weekday since it will then cost much less.
You might also purchase a weekly travelcard for a larger discount if you're in London for longer, but this does involve providing a photograph.
Do recall that Oyster cards and travelcards may be used on the tube and buses, though they are not valid at all rail stations. It's important to confirm before travelling.
For more information about Oyster and public transport in London, do visit the official Transport for London website.
Finally, please make sure you wait until after 9.30am on weekdays to avoid London's extremely high peak-time prices.
An Oyster card allows you to use most of London's public transport network (though a few stations remain outside the system).
It gets you a huge discount on standard fares and helps avoid the hassle of queueing to buy tickets.
The system automatically saves you money by calculating the lowest fare at the end of each day based on your exact travel that day.
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 sometimes be a bit complicated for new London visitors, since you have to buy an Oyster card in advance. You may need to pay a few quid deposit (but you should get this back quickly in savings).
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.
So unless your trip to London is a very brief trip, you're certainly advised to get onto the Oyster scheme. As far as I know, Oyster cards have no expiry date: you should be able to use them when you return 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 special "Visitor Oyster" card available from certain selling points which is meant to be specifically for tourists. But it does not appear to have any particular benefits currently.
If you absolutely don't wish to deal with an Oyster card, please ensure that you always buy the cheapest London travelcard for unlimited travel for the day on both the tube and buses. But you should wait until after 9.30am on a weekday since it will then cost much less.
You might also purchase a weekly travelcard for a larger discount if you're in London for longer, but this does involve providing a photograph.
Do recall that Oyster cards and travelcards may be used on the tube and buses, though they are not valid at all rail stations. It's important to confirm before travelling.
For more information about Oyster and public transport in London, do visit the official Transport for London website.
Finally, please make sure you wait until after 9.30am on weekdays to avoid London's extremely high peak-time prices.
About the Author:
The author shares inside information on the best of London in addition to real-time London hotel tips on Twitter.
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