travel card london prices monthly student

London Travelcard Prices 2024 - One Day, Weekly & Monthly Pass

• Adult travelcards
• Child travelcards

What is a travelcard?

How long does a travelcard last.

• Anytime and off-peak
• Where to buy travelcards
• Are travelcards the cheapest way to travel?
• Where to use travelcards
• Using travelcards on the bus
• Using travelcards on the train
• Which is best: travelcards or Oyster?

Travelcard prices for children

London travelcards come in two different types. The cheapest version just covers buses and trams, whilst the more expensive one includes the trains as well.

Travelcards bought at a National Rail station (the big overground hubs like Waterloo , shown with a symbol on the London underground map ) are printed on orange paper. Travelcards bought at an underground station are printed on pink paper. Other than the colour of the paper, there is no difference between the two. It’s also possible to load a travel card onto a blue Oyster card . (Note: It is not possible to load them onto a Visitor Oyster card or contactless card .)

If you buy a pass that includes the trains then you will also have to choose which fare zones you want it to cover. If you buy a one day travelcard then you’ll only have three options: zones 1-4, zones 1-6 or zones 1-9. If you buy a weekly, monthly or annual travelcard then you can choose a combination of different zones between 1-9.

Important note: there are no trams in central London, only in zone 3 and beyond (in places like Beckenham, Croydon and Wimbledon). So if you buy a zone 1-2 travelcard then you won’t find any trams to travel on.

What are the benefits of a travelcard?

• London travelcards can cover one day, one week, one month or one year, depending on how long you’re staying in London
• They’re very easy for tourists to understand: you simply choose the zones and dates you want it to cover, pay once, and then you can make an unlimited number of journeys between those dates
• Depending on which one you buy, travelcards can be valid on the tram, bus , Docklands Light Railway, London Underground , London Overground, TFL Rail and National Rail
• You can also benefit from a discounted fare on the cable car and Thames Clipper riverboat

What are the downsides of a travelcard?

• Depending on how many journeys you make, you might find that Oyster prices and contactless prices are cheaper than travelcard prices
• You’re only allowed to travel in the fare zones you chose at the start. If you later decide to travel outside the zones then you’ll have to buy a completely separate ticket
• Two people are not allowed to share one travelcard
• If you lose a paper travelcard then there’s no way of replacing it, or getting your money back

A travelcard lasts for one day , one week , one month or one year , and you choose which one you want when you buy it. You can then travel as many times as you like during that period.

You always have to choose a start date when you buy it. The date can be in the future, but it’s not possible to buy a dateless card.

One Day Travelcards (Anytime) – Valid for the date shown on the ticket, plus any journeys that start before 4.30 AM the next morning

One Day Travelcards (Off-peak) – Valid for the date shown on the ticket, but only after 9.30 AM on Mon-Fri, plus any journeys that start before 4.30 AM the next morning

Weekly, Monthly & Annual Travelcards – Valid between the start date and end date shown on the ticket. And they all have to be consecutive days (it’s not possible to buy a 7 day travel card that skips a day in the middle, for example).

Can two people share one travelcard?

No . Two people are not allowed to share one travelcard between them. And you can’t share an Oyster card that has a travelcard loaded on to it either.

What time is Anytime and Off-Peak?

Anytime – Anytime is valid for the dates shown on the ticket, and up to 4.30 AM the following morning. (So if your travelcard expires on the 10th, you can actually travel up to 4.30 AM on the 11th.)

Off-Peak – Off-Peak travelcard holders are restricted to travelling after 9:30 AM on Mon-Fri, but can travel at anytime during the weekend or on a public holiday.

Is it cheaper to use a travelcard?

Travelcards are not always the cheapest way to travel in London.

1-Day Travelcards – The Oyster daily cap and contactless daily cap are always cheaper than a one day travelcard (by around two-thirds).

Weekly Travelcards – Weekly travelcards are always cheaper than buying seven one day travel cards, but whether it works out cheaper than the Oyster card weekly cap depends on how many journeys you make. If you make two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six of the days, then a weekly travelcard is likely cheaper. But the only way of knowing for sure is to add up all your journeys on a calculator (sorry!).

Monthly Travelcards – Monthly travelcards are always cheaper than buying four weekly travel cards.

Annual Travelcards – Annnual passes give you 12 months travel for the price of ten and a half.

Where can you use a travelcard?

Buses – All travelcards are valid on TFL buses , regardless of which zones they cover. That’s because buses don’t have zones. So if you buy a zone 1-4 travelcard then you can ride the trams and trains in zones 1-4, but you can ride the buses all the way out to zone 6.

Trams – Bus & Tram travelcards don’t have zones, so they’re valid on all the buses, and all the trams. But Train, Bus & Tram travelcards are only valid on the trams if they cover zones 3 and beyond, because there aren’t any trams in zones 1-2.

London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, TFL Rail, National Rail – A Train, Bus & Tram travelcard is valid on all of these trains as long as it covers the right zones (you choose which zones you want when you buy it). The exceptions are the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, Heathrow Connect to Hayes and Harlington, and high-speed Southeastern services between St. Pancras and Stratford .

IFS Cloud Cable Car – You can’t actually use your travelcard to ride the cable car , but if you present it at the ticket window you’ll get a 25% discount off the price.

Thames Clipper – You can’t use it on the Thames Clipper river boat service either, but if you show it at the window you’ll get a 33% discount off some of the fares.

Where can you buy a travelcard?

Day Travelcards (for Bus & Tram only) – It’s not possible to buy a day travelcard for the Bus & Tram from the TFL website. It’s not possible to buy one in advance either. You can only purchase them on the day of travel from a train station or London Visitor Centre.

There are seven Visitor Centres in London: Euston station , King’s Cross , Liverpool Street , Paddington , Piccadilly Circus , Victoria and Heathrow airport.

These will always come as a paper ticket.

You can also buy a Bus & Tram pass from an Oyster Ticket Stop, but these ones will be put onto an Oyster card instead. Oyster Ticket Stops are just normal shops (usually newsagents) which have a blue Oyster sticker in their window. (Note: The usual £7 deposit will apply if you need to buy a new Oyster card, which will come on top of the day travelcard price. It is not possible to load a travelcard onto a London Visitor Oyster Card .)

Day travelcards do not require a photocard.

Day Travelcards (for Bus, Tram & Train) – Paper tickets for the Bus, Tram & Train are available to buy online from the TFL website and from train stations and Visitor Centres.

Group Day Travelcards – Group Day Travelcards can be ordered from the TFL website . They only last for one day and you need to be travelling in a group of at least ten people during off-peak hours (after 9:30 AM Mon-Fri, or any time during the weekend).

Weekly Travelcards – Weekly Travelcards can be bought online at TFL’s Visitor Shop , You can also have it loaded onto your Oyster card at a train station, Oyster Ticket Stop, London Visitor Centre or TFL’s Oyster website (but you need to set up an Oyster account with them first).

Weekly travelcards do not require a photocard.

Monthly Travelcards – Monthly Travelcards can be loaded onto your Oyster card at train stations, Oyster Ticket Stops, London Visitor Centres and TFL’s Oyster website .

Annual Travelcards – Annual travelcards can be loaded onto your London Oyster card at TFL’s Oyster website , and most London Overground, TFL Rail and National Rail stations… but not London Underground stations, London Visitor Centres or Oyster Ticket Stops.

What zone travelcard do you need?

Most tourists will choose a travelcard that covers zones 1-2, which covers the touristy heart of London.

Zone 3 is for places like Highgate Cemetery , Kew Gardens , Wimbledon and London City Airport . Zone 4 will take you to Wembley Stadium . And if you’re flying into Heathrow then you might need a zone 1-6 travelcard.

How do you use a travelcard on a bus?

Using a travelcard on a London bus is easy. If you have a paper travelcard then just show it to the driver as you board the bus.

If you have an Oyster travelcard then touch it against the big round yellow reader by the front door (some buses also have Oyster readers by the middle door and back door). There’s no need to touch the travel card down again when you leave the bus – you only have to do that for trains.

How do you use a travelcard on a train?

Using a travelcard on the London Underground is easy. If you have a paper travelcard then just insert it face-up into the slot at the front of the barrier. The same ticket will then pop out of the slot on the top. The gate won’t open until you remove your travelcard from that slot.

If you have an Oyster travelcard then all you have to do is wave it in front of the big round yellow reader and the gate will open automatically.

Which is better: Travelcards or Oyster?

TFL travelcards are very easy to understand – you simply choose the starting date, the duration, which zones you need (probably just zones 1-2 if you’re here on holiday), and then you pay just once and can make an unlimited number of journeys until the travel card expires.

The downside is that travelcards are only available for fixed periods – either one day, one week, one month or one year – so if you’re visiting for a different number of days then you’re better off buying an Oyster card .

Train travelcards are also limited to the zones you buy it for, so if you decide to make an extra journey out of the blue then you’ll have to buy a completely different ticket, whereas the pay-as-you-go credit on an Oyster card can be used in all zones.

Your comments and questions

CC Hi, I want to know if I buy the one day card does it means it lasts 24 hrs? Or just till midnight of the day I purchase it?

Staff Hi CC. It actually lasts until 4.30 AM the next morning. So if it's dated for the 1st, it will last until 4.30 AM on the 2nd.

Leanne Hi there, I am travelling to London with 3 children aged 8, 10 & 11 and will need a travelcard that will cover us all. We have a few things planned but im not sure of which travelcards I need and for which zones? We will need to travel from Paddington station to Waterloo, and will be visiting the Cambridge Theatre and also Knightsbridge. Is it possible to buy a 3 day ticket that will cover those areas? Ive not been to London before so would like to plan as much as I can in advance. Thank you

Staff Hi Leanne. It's not possible to buy a 3-day card unfortunately - they only come as 1-day or weekly cards (or monthly). And the only travelcard that covers multiple people is the Group Day Travelcard, but that's for a minimum of ten people. The good news is that your 8 and 10 year old will travel for free on the tube, so I recommend that you use your contactless bank card, and you get an Oyster card for your 11 year old. That's because contactless and oyster fares are cheaper. The most you will pay each day is the 'daily cap' for zone 1, which is less than the cost of a 1-day travelcard (all of the places you mentioned are inside zone 1). Unfortunately you will also have to pay a £5 deposit the first time you buy a new Oyster card - but you can claim that back at the self-service ticket machine at the end if you want.

Leanne Thank you very much, that's very helpful

Csaba Is it possible to buy a new Oystercard and put a 7-day Travelcard on it at the newsagents generally? Do I have to have a minimum pay-as-you-go balance on it if using a Travelcard loaded onto my Oystercard?

Staff Hi Csaba. You can just have the travelcard on your Oyster card if you want. There's no need to have any pay-as-you-go credit on there as well, but you can do that as well if you want. You should be able to do it at any newsagent displaying the Oyster symbol in their window - not all of them have it.

Lafont If I have a travelcard on my Oyster card for zones 1 and 2, and I want to visit Hampton Court, how to proceed.

Staff Hi Lafont. Hampton Court is in zone 6, so you just need to add some pay-as-you-credit onto the same card to cover zones 2-6. You can see that fare here - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php . When you tap it down on the gate the computer will recognise that the travelcard already covers zones 1&2 and just use the credit for the extra bit.

Pamela Laurie I need only a paper 1 day Oyster ticket, is it over 24 hours from when you buy it? ie. 12am one day till 12 am next day ?

Staff Hi Pamela. You buy it for a particular date. It will then last for the whole of that date, and up to 4.30 AM the next morning.

Ch What time can you use your travelcard from on a Sunday?

Staff Hi Ch. If it's a 1-day card then it's all day Sunday, right up to 4.30 AM Monday morning. If it was a midweek one then it would be different, because there are two cards available midweek: anytime and off-peak. The off-peak ones wouldn't start until 9.30 AM

Awi If I buy a zone 1-6 travelcard from Vauxhall rail station will that entitle me to the National Rail 2for1 promotion? Thanks

Staff Hi Awi. You have to be careful because you need a National Rail paper ticket for the 2for1 offer. Don't buy it from the underground station because then it will be a TFL ticket. That won't be valid. Buy it upstairs from the National Rail windows, and make sure they give you a paper ticket rather than putting it on an Oyster card, because that won't be valid either.

Diane Can you use a one day travelcard on any of the London tour buses?

Staff Hi Diane. No, sightseeing tour buses have got nothing to do with normal buses, so you'll have to buy a ticket from them.

Cathy If I buy a weekly travelcard from a train station, will the start day to use to card be the day I buy it? Or can I tell the counter staff which day I would like to start to use the travelcard? For example, I want to buy the paper travelcard at London Paddington Station on July 1st and I would like to start using it on July 6th. Is it possible? Thanks for your help.

Staff Hi Cathy. Sure. You can tell them which date you want it to start. It doesn't have to be the same day that you buy it. Paper tickets will then have the start date printed on the front.

Elle Hi, With weekly travelcards, do I need to get an identity card to go with it? Thanks

Staff Hi Elle. Not if you're an adult, no. You only need to provide a passport photo for monthly and annual travelcards, but not weekly ones. And a child would need a photocard

Ray Does the one day travelcard include journeys to Heathrow? Thank you Ray.

Staff Hi Ray. You have to choose the zones when you buy it. If you choose the one that covers zones 1-6 (or 1-9) then it will.

Cozzieanne Hi there, I'm soon going to be travelling four times a week from Ealing Broadway to Leytonstone station on the Central Line. If I buy an annual Zones 2-9 travelcard, does that mean that I can get on and off at literally any stop, on any line, at any time, as long as I'm within those zones? And does it include buses? Thank you! Cozzieanne

Staff Hi Cozzieanna. A zone 2-9 travelcard won't get you from Ealing Broadway to Leytonstone on the central line, because that journey goes straight through zone 1, so you'll need a zone 1-9 instead (actually, you only really need a 1-3 for that journey, unless you've got some other plans out to zone 9 that you haven't mentioned). A zone 1-9 travelcard will let you get on and off at any stop within zones 1-9, at any time, as many times as you like. And you can use it on the bus as well.

Graham Can a London Travelcard be used on both the Underground and on Network Rail trains? I'm planning to travel from Baker Street to Monument on the Circle Line, then from London Bridge to Waterloo East on normal Network Rail. Is the Travelcard valid for both journeys?

Staff Hi Graham, It works on both the underground and National Rail trains within the zones you buy it for. So assuming your travelcard covers zone 1 (which all those journeys are in), then it will be fine

Harmeen I just want to know that if I opt for a weekly travelcard for Zone 1 and 2, how many trips am I allowed in a week?

Staff Hi Harmeen. As many as you like. There's no limit with travelcards

Lailiyah McInnes Can I buy weekly travel card to London zone 1-2 and5? And how much the cost weekly and monthly .I just from Bromley south to Victoria to Fulham

Staff Hi Lailiyah. You can buy one for zones 1to5 (price is in the table above), but not zones 1,2+5. They don't sell one for just zone 5 on its own either. If you really wanted to then you could put a zone 1-2 travelcard on your oyster card, and then top it up with some pay-as-you-go credit as well. Then every time you tap it down on the gate the computer will recognise that you have a travelcard for zones 1-2, and only take the fare for zones 2-5 from the pay-as-you-go credit

Heather Is there a student discount on Oyster cards.

Staff Hi Heather. There is a discount, but you have to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard to get them. All the details are here - tfl.gov.uk/​fares/​free-and-discounted-travel/18-plus-student-oyster-photocard

amar Can I use oyster card on traine

Staff Hi Amar. You can, yes. But it depends what train you’re talking about. It has to be within the Oyster zones. If you're talking about putting a travelcard onto an oyster card, then the train will have to be in the zones you buy the travelcard for

Jerry I need Travelcard from zone 2 to 8. How can I get one?

Staff Hi Jerry. It sounds a bit bonkers, but they don't sell travelcards for zones 2-8. You can get one for zones 1-8, or zones 2-9 instead which is a bit cheaper

Jerry I don`t understand why I have to pay more for something what we don`t need.

Staff Maybe you could try using a contactless card instead, because there's a cap for zones 2-8 on that. But if you want the weekly cap then it only works from Mon-Sun (not Tue-Mon, or any other combination of 7 days) - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

Bob Scrivener Where do you find a zone map?

Staff Hi Bob. Here's one - content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

Nigel Hi, I plan to come to London in the Autumn. It looks as if I’ll need to travel in zones 1-3 between my University and accommodation. Can you advise what the weekly cost is for a travel card

Staff Hi Nigel. All the prices are shown in the table above - at the moment it's £43:50 for zones 1-3

Karen Wilce Are there any concessions

Staff Hi Karen. If you mean senior concessions then you can get something called a Freedom Pass or a 60+ Oyster card, but you need to live in a London borough to qualify. If you live outside London then you can get a Senior Railcard. There are more details here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

Theresa I have a monthly travel card zones 1 to 4, but i need to get to zone 6, what do i need to do.

Staff Hi Theresa. Assuming that it’s on an Oyster card, all you have to do is go up to a ticket machine and load some pay-as-you-go credit on to it. When you tap down on the gate the computer will recognise that the travelcard already covers zones 1-4 and just charge for the extra zones. You can see the price on our Oyster card page - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

Anita Ganea My daughter is a 2nd year university student living in London, travelling to university and also to her place of work. She has now got a student oyster card and also has a 1/3 16-25 railcard. Does she have to link these to get the full benefits of the oyster card. I said that her travel will be a 1/3 cheaper if she gets the oyster card but obviously if she uses it as a pay as you go it is still the same, why is this?

Staff Hi Anita. She needs to get the railcard loaded onto her Oyster card, then she can use the Oyster card like normal and it will charge the discounted fares. She needs to take both cards to a London Underground station and then ask a member of TFL staff to load it on. You can usually find one standing behind the ticket barriers. Bear in mind that she doesn't get a discount on all Oyster fares, just off-peak ones, and zone 1-9 travelcards (if bought together with another National Rail ticket) - full details here 16-25railcard.co.uk/​using-your-railcard/​travel-times-tickets/

Steven Gatting Hi folks,,, returning uk resident arriving with Family from US for 7 day visit covering all areas on tube. Kis are 10. 14 and 16 . Shall I just get 7 day travel cards.Will be making plenty travel around the tube on all days. Thanks Steve Gatting

Staff Hi Steven, if you’re staying seven days then a weekly travelcard usually works out cheapest if you’re making at least two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six days, but it depends what zones you buy (most people only need zones 1-2). Your 10 year old will travel for free, but bear in mind your 14 and 16 year olds will have to pay for adult passes because it won’t be worth paying out extra for photocards to qualify for the kid prices.

Michael Just to make sure it will work: I want to buy a weekly 1-2 zones paper travel card at Paddington railway station. All I need is to bring £37 and paper-sized photo, right? No need to buy Oyster card or something like that?

Staff Hi Michael. You can only get a paper travelcard if it’s a 1-day travelcard. Weekly ones will go onto an Oyster card. If you don’t have an Oyster card you’ll have to go to an Oyster Ticket stop shop (newsagent) in the National Rail part of Paddington (and pay £5 deposit for a new card on top). The underground bit only has self-service machines. If you do have an Oyster card then you can load it on at a self-service machine. You don’t need a photo

Selina Rahman Hi, If I want to travel from Woodford to Bermondsey by train and then bus from Bermondsey to Bricklayer's Arms by bus, can I buy a weekly oyster card from zone 2-4? If not, please suggest how I can make this journey with the most economical option? Thanks,

Staff Hi Selina. Thats okay for Woodfood to Bermondsey (assuming you don't choose a route that passes through zone 1). theres more than one bricklayers arm’s in london so we don't know which one you're talking about, but it should be alright because buses don’t have zones. all travelcards are valid for bus travel in zones 1-6, regardless of which zones they cover

Polya Genova Why when I transfer via Wimbledon from Streatham to Fulham Broadway I am overcharged for zone 1.??? I notice 3 times on my way going but mot charge in my way back. The pink rider was no clear sound.

Staff Hi Polya. You're only supposed to tap down on the pink readers if your journey would normally take you across London through zone 1, and you're changing trains to bypass zone 1. But the journey you're doing wouldn't normally go through zone 1 anyway, so I would stop tapping down on the pink reader and see if that helps - just tap down at the beginning and end of your journey instead

Lorraine I am travelling to london from Leigh on sea going to Wood Green station / Shepherd’s Bush there are 6 of us all together 2 adults 4 chikdren under 11 years we have bought the Kidszania tickets What would be the cheapest fares to travel on the tube

Staff Hi Lorraine. your national rail tickets would be separate, but if all four kids are under 11 then they travel for free on the tube, and the adults should just use their contactless cards to pay (oyster is the same price as contactless, but you have to pay a £7 deposit to get hold of the cards)

MR JOHN ROZNOWSKI Is there any discount for ENCTS pass holders who live outside London?

Staff Hi John. Not if you want to buy a travelcard, but you should be able to use it to travel for free on TFL buses (with time restrictions) if it has the red rose symbol on it. Theres some more information here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-bus-fares.php

Engrid Hello, Do children travel for free with a parent who purchases a travel card?

Staff Hi Engrid. Only if they’re under 11. They travel for free with a fare paying adult - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Pauline My partner and myself are travelling on Avanti train from Lancaster for the day.Can we buy I day travel cards when we buy our train tickets in Lancaster. Thankyou

Staff Hi Pauline, we cant really help with what’s for sale in Lancaster, but we doubt that the train company will sell them. But you’d be better off just using your contactless card to pay anyway (assuming that you both have one), because the ‘daily cap’ for contactless is half the price of a 1-day travelcard - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php

John Evans RAIL CARDS OR SENIOR BUS PASS Are they valid with one day travel card off peak

Staff Hi John. A senior bus pass with the red rose symbol lets you travel for free on TFL buses, with time restrictions, but you cant use them to buy a travelcard, A Senior Railcard will give you a discount on “Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London (subject to minimum fare)” - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

James allison Is their a pensioner discount

Staff Hi James. Not for travelcards, no, unless you have a senior railcard as mentioned in the comment above. But you can travel for free on the buses and trains if you have a freedom pass or 60+ oyster card (with time restrictions). More info here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

Paul Hoelzley Good afternoon, We are Canadian seniors (82 & 76) and will be in London for 5 days early January 2023. Could you kindly help us and advise us on what is the cheapest card to use during our stay. There seem to be so many different choices and fares and this is very confusing to us. Thank you for taking the time to answer our question (s). Regards, Paul H.

Staff Hi Paul. A Visitor Oyster card will be the cheapest, and you can buy it online before you go and have it delivered to you in Canada - more information about that here: city-guide.london/​transport/​visitor-oyster-cards.php . You’ll have to choose how much credit you want on it, so just work out which fare zones you’ll be travelling through each day (most tourists just need zone 1), and look at the ‘daily cap’ for that zone in the fares chart. That will be the maximum you will be charged that day. Add up all the daily caps for the five days, and thats how much credit you’ll need. Alternatively… you can just buy a weekly travelcard when you arrive in London. You’ll lose a little bit of money, but its a lot less complicated because you can make unlimited journeys for the whole week

Mark Hi, we will be travelling to London from Melbourne in September. Four adults For five full days. We are flying into Gatewick. What is the best way to get to accommodation near Hyde park and where should we get recommended pass?

Staff Hi Mark. I would buy tickets for the Gatwick Express into Victoria on their website, and then get Visitor Oyster Cards for everyone and have them delivered to Australia before I travel. Oyster cards have the cheapest fares, and you can use them on the tube to wherever it is you're staying around Hyde Park. Info about where to get Visitor Oyster cards here - city-guide.london/​transport/​visitor-oyster-cards.php

Ali Need a travel pass ticket in London for tube and buss

Staff Hi Ali. We've explained how you can get one on this page

Jordi Hello, I'm going to travel to London for a 7 days in July. 2 adults and 1 of 14 years. We move for zones 1-3. Wich is the best option? and Where can I buy better?

Staff Hi Jordi. It depends how many journeys you're making. If you make two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six of the days, then a weekly travelcard should be cheaper. Otherwise the adults should use their contactless cards if they're from the UK, or Oyster cards if they're from abroad (which have the same fares as contactless, but you have to pay a £5 deposit on top). The 14-year old should get an Oyster card and have the 'Young Visitor Discount' applied to it, as explained on this page - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Keith Morgan How much will a 1-6 zone one day travelcard for 2 adults and two children with a family railcard

Staff Hi Keith. You dont get a discount if you buy the travelcard on its own. You need to be coming into London on another train. According to their terms: “With your Railcard you can get 1/3 off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £20,30)” - familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/​help/​faqs/

DEREK SPELLER Good afternoon.......we are travelling into Heathrow from Canada in August and staying in Paddington. The London Transport Travelcard will allow us onto the Tube at Heathrow but NOT the Heathrow to Paddington Airport Train.....am I correct?

Staff Hi Derek. That's correct, yes. You can use an Oyster card on the Heathrow Express, but not a travelcard. If you want to use a travelcard on the tube from heathrow to paddington then you'll have to get one covering zones 1-6

Muraleedharan vp Which are the places covered by differrnt zones?

Staff Zone 1-2 covers the central touristy part of London, which is good enough for 99% of tourists. but maybe you'll want zone 3 for kew, and zone 6 for heathrow

Reda Weekly travel card zone 2 to zone 4. Travelling from zone 4 to zone 4 without crossing zone 1 , why I got charged £2.50 at the end of the day.

Staff Hi Reda. Is the travelcard loaded onto an Oyster card? £2.50 is a zone 1 fare, so the only thing I can think of is that you didn’t tap out at the end.

B Walker Can I purchase a weekly anytime travel card as ticket? Not plastic oyster

Staff Hi B Walker. Only if you buy it online from the TFL shop - visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/​en/​london-travelcard . If you buy it anywhere in London then it will be loaded onto an Oyster card.

Veronica We are a family of five traveling into London Kings Cross on 7th Oct children are aged 15,15,14, We are staying for 9 nights at Twickenham and will be travelling in/out London and going to attractions. What would be the best travel option?

Staff Hi Veronica. We always recommend that adults use their contactless bank card. (oyster cards have the same fares, but you have to pay a deposit on top.) and then get oyster cards for the kids. but get the ‘young visitor discount’ applied to the oyster cards when you arrive in London, which is explained here - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Veronica Which zone is Twickenham in. Should I order the child oyster card before we arrive and do they require a photo

Staff Its in zone 5. you can order it in advance if you want to, they don’t require a photo. its all explained on our oyster card page - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

PEDRO Do foreign children between 11 and 15 have a discount with the one-day travelcard? I think no...

Staff Hi Pedro. They can do, but only if you get them an Oyster Zip photocard as well. But you have to pay extra for those, which will wipe out any savings you make. So we dont recommend getting one if its just a one-off visit - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Alex If I buy a travelcard at Heathrow and need to travel to Hammersmith but only on the next day do I need to make another journey (in zones 1 and 2), can I buy a 7 day travelcard at the same time as buying some PAYG but somehow POST-DATE the 7 day travelcard so it is only active from the NEXT day?

Staff Hi Alex. You can do. You always have to choose the start date when you buy a travelcard so i would do that first, then load some credit on after. Another way is to just buy a zone 1-2 travelcard at heathrow, from the first day, and load some extra credit on to cover the zones 2-6 bit

Alex Hello again. Travelling from Buckhurst Hill to Hampton Wick with a Zone 1-2 Travelcard and PAYG. I see this necessitates a National Rail Journey from Zone 1 to 6. Will it cost a Zone 1 to 6 fare from PAYG despite the travelcard because it's National Rail and not Overground/Underground? Does one have to check in/check out at a station on the border of zones 2-3? Pink card reader or something?

Staff As long as the National Rail station is within the oyster zones (which your stations are) then you can pay with a travelcard and oyster - theres no difference. you dont have to tap down on a pink reader. you only use those if you're making a detour to avoid zone 1, on a journey that would normally go through zone 1. you just have to tap down at the beginning and end of your journey like normal

ELHAMUDDIN ZAHID Hello I am student and have class two days a week and live in zone 5 which option will be cheap for me. Many thanks

Staff Hi Elhamuddin. The easiest and cheapest thing to do is to just use your contactless card - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

Alex Hi. I just phoned up TFL and got my PAYG balance refunded (£8:70) from my oyster into bank account. I'm no longer on London and couldn't do it at machine in London as I still had a valid travelcard on my last day! Now the oyster card has been removed from the app! Is the card still valid should I return to London in the future? Or did refunding the PAYG balance cancel the card? I paid £7 for the card. Perhaps they canceled the card and refunded the £7 as well as the £8:70?

Staff Hi Alex. The card gets voided at the same time as the refund, so you wont be able to use it anymore. The deposit would have been converted into PAYG credit after 12 months, but if you've had it less than that then you don't get it back.

JOHN Hello everyone, I have a crucial to me question that puzzles me when I try to buy online a London weekly anytime travelcard for my planned trip to London next month, i.e. November 2022, landing at Heathrow airport. As far as I understand, a 7-Days (weekly) London anytime travelcard does not have a peak, or, off-peak option (As 1-day travelcards do). They are valid throughout the whole day (And, if I am not mistaken valid until 04:30 am of the next day after their expiry). I am trying to buy the card from abroad (within EU) prior my arrival & ordering it to be mailed to my home country. I choose adult, Ticket Duration = 7 Day (only option), Ticket Zone = Zones 1-6, Then it requires me to choose (Under: “Admission)” an option, BUT, the only option available in the: “Peak”. Then date of first use which I provide and then the total price is £70.30. Question is, in the field entitled: “Admission” the only option being: “Peak”, What do they mean by the word: Peak ? If I choose Peak (the only option available) will I purchase a weekly anytime travelcard that I will be able to use throughout the whole day, OR, will I be able to ONLY use it during Peak hours (i.e. prior 09:30 am) which does NOT make any sense as a 7-Days (weekly) anytime travelcard (As the name clearly states) is valid throughout the whole day ? I am at a loss. What do they mean by the option: Peak ? Can somebody please help me ? Many thanks in advance for your time & effort. Looking forward to your reply/assistance. Many thanks & Best Regards

Staff Hi John. The way they've worded it does look a bit confusing (they should have called it 'anytime') but it will definitely be valid for an entire week, both off-peak and peak hours. That's the only version you can buy for a weekly travelcard.

JOHN Many thanks for your reply ref London weekly anytime travelcard. Much appreciated. If I land to Heathrow during weekend will I be able to buy a London weekly anytime travelcard from Heathrow Visitor Center, OR, from a Heathrow ticket machine ? In this case do I need an oyster card ? Can I use the very same card to travel (By tube and/or overground rail) from, AND, to Heathrow airport (E.g. Heathrow to Waterloo)? In the latter case, are there any specific tube/overground trains I cannot use, i.e. express ? Many thanks in advance for your time & effort. Looking forward to your reply/assistance. Many thanks & Best Regards

Staff You won't be able to buy a paper travelcard at Heathrow, but you will be able to get one loaded onto an Oyster card. Assuming that you haven't got an Oyster card already, that will add another £7 deposit on top. But if you do get an Oyster card then you may as well forget the travelcard and load some credit onto it instead, and pay normal Oyster fares, which might work out cheaper depending on how many days you're staying. Oyster credit can be used on buses and trains in all the zones, including Heathrow. But if you catch the Heathrow Express then the credit will be used to pay the normal Heathrow Express fare instead (rather than a cheaper Oyster fare - you'd have to catch the tube for that). More info about all that here - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php - If you want a paper travelcard then your only option is to get it from the TFL site and have it posted to you.

Matt Greer Are weekly travelcards discontinuing in January 2023? If so, what is replacing it for tourist weekly travel?

Staff Hi Matt. There was talk about scrapping them last year as well, but nothing has happened so far. If they do disappear then people will have to use the weekly cap on Oyster and contactless instead (which is the same price as a weekly travelcard). So tourists will have to buy an Oyster card.

Eva Ticket type Hi, I found Super Off-Peak Day Travelcardincludes London Travelcard with Travel conditions Same day return off-peak travel including unlimited bus, tube, tram and DLR journeys around London. I would like to use with the 2 for 1 promotion wisiting London Eye. I would like to be sure that this train ticket is accepted by them. thank you

Staff Hi Eva. It has to be from a National Rail station rather than an underground station (so it has to be printed on orange paper), and you have to book the London Eye in advance rather than turn up on the day. You can check the ticket here - daysoutguide.co.uk/​travel-by-train/​is-my-ticket-valid-for-2for1-and-other-offers

Muhammad Athar Masood I am coming to London on March 29 and shall stay here upto April 11. During my stay, I intend to travel in almost all zones of the city using bus, tube, tram or train whichever convenient. Please guide me if should buy a Travle Card or an Oyester Card.

Staff Hi Muhammad. Price-wise you're probably going to be better off with an Oyster card rather than a travelcard, but there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Have a read of this page which explains them all - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-contactless-travelcard-comparison.php

Sandr Hi, Me and my husband are coming to London with our kids age 8,15,16.We will be there one week.Is the seven days travelcard best options for us?

Staff Hi Sandr. Travelcards usually work out cheaper if you make 2 or more journeys on each of the 7 days, or three or more on 6 of the days. Otherwise you’ll be better off with Oyster cards (unless you have UK bank cards, then you can just use contactless instead)

Sandra Thank you very much for your answer.We surely will be using it more than 2 times a day.And my daughter age 8 doesn't have to have a travelcard?My daughter age 15 has a child travelcard?Does it have to be with a photo? Thanks for your help.

Staff You can only get a child travelcard if you have a child photocard, but you have to pay extra money for those which means you’d wipe out all the savings. So its not worth it. Your 8 year old travels for free. Its all explained on our child fares page - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Kathe Conway Hello, riding here i am curious, i will be in london for seven days thinking it is best to get a travel card, can you buy this at Heathrow ? Also if for one day I am traveling to zone four does it make more sense just to buy a single trip that day? sorry so confusing :)

Staff Hi Kathe. You can get it loaded on to an oyster card, but youll need the oyster card first. You can have a paper one posted to you if you order it online (even abroad - its all described in the ‘Where can you buy a travelcard?’ section above). If you want to use it from heathrow into central london that would be zones 1-6, which would also cover zone 4. You wouldnt be travelling zones 1-6 all week though, so it would be a bit of a waste of money. I would probably recommend getting an oyster card instead, which you can get from heathrow - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

Giuluano Hi there, how much cost me a travel card zone 1to 6 on Sunday?

Staff Hi Giuluano. Sunday is off-peak so get the off-peak one - 15,20

Richard Can I buy the 1 day Travelcard at any national trainstation (planning for Knockholt)? As this is a requirement for 2for1

Staff Hi. Richard. You can, yes (assuming you mean one of the stations in London). But you have to get it from the windows/machines upstairs, in the National Rail part of the station. If you go downstairs to the London Underground part then it will be printed on different paper, which is no good for the offer.

Richard Thanks. Indeed we drive from SevenOaks to Knockholt national railstation, with our Diesel from the Netherlands, which I want to leave outside LEZ. Thus parking in Knockholt (which is in Zone 6) and then use for the Saturday and Sunday the 2 day paper travelcard. This should allow our group of 6 to have the cheapest means of transportation into London, benefitting from 2FOR1, as long as we purchase the cards at Knockholt national Railwaystation (Can we purchase them at this station!? ). Can you confirm this is the best strategy? Thx

Staff Knockholt is in zone 6, so they should sell them. Its not the cheapest way of travelling (using contactless/oyster would be cheaper) but you’d make all the money back and more from doing the 2-for-1 offer, so it sounds like a good plan. You can buy the off-peak ones if youre travelling at the weekend. And its definitely a lot cheaper than driving into london. If youre talking about this saturday and sunday remember the coronation is on, so everywhere will likely be packed

JOSE CARVALHO If I have a travelcard card for zones 1 and 2, and I want to go Canning Town (zone 2/3) and return, how to proceed.

Staff Hi Jose. if you coming from the direction of zone 1 or 2, and get off at Canning Town, then you're fine, your travelcard will cover the whole journey. If you’re going into zone 3 and your travelcard is on an oyster card, then you can just load on some extra pay-as-you-go credit to cover the fare for zone 2-3 (which can be seen here - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php )

Lynn I am arriving in London from overseas and need just one train ticket from Paddington Station to Kings Cross Station. What is the best way to pay for this trip please

Staff Hi lynn. If it's just a one-off then I would buy a single ticket from the self-service machine in the station

Derek Scriven Is there still a concession on 1 day travelcards with a senior railcard?

Staff H Derek. There is, but only this specific one - "Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London" - senior-railcard.co.uk/​using-your-railcard/​travel-times-tickets/

Richard I want to find out about the cheapest weekly cost for travel card from Brockley station to Reading.

Lala If I want to travel to London zones 1-6 and I need the weekly travel cards, how much is it and how do I buy it? I also have a 16-25 Railcard, can it be applied when buying?

Staff Hi Lala. the prices for zone 1-6 are all shown in the table at the top. The different ways to buy it are described under ‘Where can you buy travelcards’. The railcard wont get you a discount on a weekly travelcard. The only travelcard you can get a discount on is a “one day travelcard, zones 1-9, when bought together with a National Rail ticket to London (when coming from outside London)”

ALAN Can I use a Rail Travel Voucher issued by Transport for Wales for a cancelled journey to buy a TFL Travelcard?

Staff Hi Alan. I wouldn't imagine so, but it's probably best to ask Transport for Wales - tfw.wales/​help-and-contact/​rail/contact-us

Edward Gould Do I need a photo for an annual season travel card

Staff Hi Edward. You’ll need to get an oyster card and register it on the TFL website. You’ll then be able to buy the annual travelcard through that website and load it straight onto your card

Malcolm Oates What is price of off-peak one day travelcard zones 1-6 for a senior railcard holder. it was 34% off.

Staff Hi Malcom. The normal price is £15,20 and the discount would only apply if you bought the ticket as part of a longer National Rail journey from outside zones 1-9 - senior-railcard.co.uk/​about-the-railcard/​using-your-railcard/

Tahira If I bought a Train, Bus & Tram Travelcard covering zones 5-6, what buses would be covered? Will it always be buses up to zone 6? Or is my case different?

Staff Hi Tahira. Buses don't have zones, so whichever train travelcard you buy it will always cover buses in train zones 1-6

Steve Hi, I’m traveling to Leicester square on the Friday bank holiday from Bedford with two adults and two 15 year olds just for the day. Do we just get the one day travel card or is there a better option. Tia

Staff HI Steve. The fares will be cheaper if you just use your contactless card. But you’ll have to have one card each. if your kids don’t have one then I would get them one day travelcards - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-contactless-travelcard-comparison.php

Steve Thank you for your help

Ron Travelling from Richmond to Stratford using Overground line Do I need to use pink reader anywhere to get cheaper fare using contactless? Thanks

Staff Hi Ron. You need to avoid zone 1, so it will make the journey a lot longer. If you want to do it then you could change onto the Overground at Gunnersbury and tap the pink reader there (don't go through any ticket barriers, because that would end your journey)

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November 30th, 2022

How to apply for and use your 18+ student oyster photocard.

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If you’re new to London, one of the first things you’ll notice is the convenient and efficient public transport system the city has. Transport for London (TfL) has impressive connectivity across the city that helps you get anywhere you’d like to go with great ease. As a student, the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard helps you cut down on travel costs and makes exploring the city fun and affordable. How, you ask? Read on.

What is it?

The 18+ Student Oyster Photocard is specifically designed for students living and studying in London. It’s a card that you tap-in and tap-out (for the tube) and tap-in only (for the bus) to pay for your ride. It’s different from the usual Oyster Card because it’s got your picture printed on it and offers you discounted rates.

How do I apply?

To apply for the student photocard, you have to first complete your campus enrolment and then apply online on the TfL website . The card costs £20 and remains valid until the end of your course. The application process is straightforward and requires basic information covering your student enrolment ID, London address and digital photograph. Be sure to check the instructions for your photograph before uploading.

After application submission, the university approves it and then TfL will post your card to your address. You will receive email/text updates on your application.

I received my card within two weeks of applying.

What are the benefits?

The student photocard helps you save 30% on adult-rate Travelcards as well as on Bus and Tram Passes . Once you receive your card, you can buy discounted travelcards and bus passes on the TfL website. You can also add pay as you go credit but there are no discounts for this.

The adult fare for a 7-day bus pass is £23.30 but with a 30% discount using the student photocard, the price drops to £16.30. For the tube, between Zone 1-2 the adult fare for the 7-day travelcard is £38.40 but the discounted travelcard using the student photocard costs £26.80.

Another benefit of the student photocard is that you can add your 16-25 Railcard to it. By doing this, you can save 34% on pay as you go fares during off-peak hours. You can apply for the 16-25 Railcard online and it costs £30 per year. If you’re between 16-25 years old or a mature student , you’re eligible to apply. Once you receive your card, you can link it to your student photocard at any tube station by asking a staff member.

How do I make my choice?

The choice between travelcards and pay as you go fares depends on how often you plan to take public transport. Compare the prices of the discounted travelcards and pay as you go fares for the number of journeys you will make. If you will take more than two rides each day for the whole week, the discounted travelcard on your student photocard will be economical. If not, you’re better off with pay as you go fares. It’s cost-effective to buy 7-day travelcards as opposed to the monthly ones because during some months you would not use public transport as frequently and so a 7-day travelcard helps you save money.

I usually take between 6 to 8 rides a week. So, pay as you go fares are economical for me.

Any tips for navigating public transport?

• Getting around London becomes super easy with a transport app. Citymapper is a great one that gives you several route options with real-time updates on delays.
• Check for updates from TfL when planning your journeys. This is especially useful when there are planned closures on the transport network.
• Check for weather updates before planning your travel and always leave some buffer time to avoid running late.
• If you can, do check out alternate modes of transport for a change. London is a very walkable city and it also has a great cycling network.

About the author

I’m Aish, an MPhil/PhD student at the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. I study the impact that personality characteristics can have on performance at the workplace. When I’m not actively PhD-ing, I spend my time cooking, writing, and hula-hooping.

I’m so interested by joining your team how to apply

LSE have rejected my student oyster verification… who can I contact at LSE about this? Thanks

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How To Travel Around London

Travelling around London may be costly, so we’ve compiled a list of tips for navigating about the capital city efficiently. Get a student travel card or a student Oyster card sent to your door to help you save money and minimise travel costs daily!

Student Oyster Card For Bus Travel

Get A Student Oyster Card To Save Money On Tube, DLR, Bus And Overground

If you are 18 or older, a student, and live in a London borough, you can use an Oyster Photocard to save money on your journeys. You will save up to 30% on the Adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.  You may apply online by clicking here!

Keep in mind… when your course ends, your 18+ Student Oyster Photocard expires. Your school, college, or university will notify TFL if you are no longer qualified or if the end date of your course has changed. Your Photocard benefits will then end.

If you are in a hurry, you can take a taxi around London. There is the traditional taxi as well as private rental cars known as minicabs such as Addison Lee and local cab businesses. There has recently been a surge in the number of new taxi services, such as Uber, Ola, and Lyft. All of this is accomplished through the use of phone apps. Some individuals may prefer these apps since they allow you to get a cab quickly and without having to plan ahead of time. You can also earn discount codes and credits to help save on your journey.

The cost of renting a Santander Cycle is £2 for unlimited travel of up to 30 minutes. If your journey lasts more than 30 minutes, you will have to pay £2 for every extra 30 minutes. If you do not return the cycle within 24 hours, you will be charged. Simply download the Santander Cycles app or go to any docking station terminal with your bank card and touch the screen to get started. When you’re through with your journey, return it to a docking station.

Use A Student Travel Card

If your route requires you to travel on public transport that is outside of London’s central zones, you may need to obtain a student travel card. The 16 to 25 Railcard is an example of this. This Railcard gives you one-third off train fares. When you make your purchase you have the choice of receiving it in digital or physical form. It just costs £30 each year or £70 for three years. More information about Railcards may be found here !

So, as a student, take advantage of these travel options!

Before you go! Have you read our Magazine?

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

How much are TfL monthly travelcards going up by in 2023?

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Commute to work in London ? Use the Tube a lot? If so, you might want to purchase a monthly travelcard.

Transport for London (TfL) travelcards allow you to pay for a day, week or month of travel across the Tube, Overground, DLR, buses, trams, TfL Rail and National Rail services – plus, if you need them, the Emirates Air Line and the River Bus.

To use a travelcard you must first purchase an Oyster card (£7) and then you can purchase a travelcard and add it to your Oyster.

You can use also use Oyster for pay as you go, with fares capped per day and week just as they are when you use a contactless card or device (such as your phone). You can also add a national railcard to Oyster , saving up to 1/3 on off-peak pay as you go travel.

However, if you frequently use London public transport, you may find a monthly travelcard is the better option for you.

TfL fares are set to rise again in early March 2023 , so how much do monthly travelcards cost now?

And what will they cost later in the year?

On average, the price of an adult’s monthly travelcard will rise by 5.9% from March 5 onwards.

How much will monthly travelcards cost from March?

For monthly travelcards including travel to Central London, here’s what they currently cost, plus what the new price will be:

• Zone 1: £147.50, going up to £156.30 from March 5
• Zone 1 – 2: £147.50, going up to £156.30
• Zone 1 – 3: £173.60, going up to £184
• Zone 1 – 4: £212.00, going up to £224.70
• Zone 1 – 5: £252.30, going up to £267.30
• Zone 1 – 6: £270.00, going up to £285.70
• Zone 1 – 7: £293.80, going up to £311.10
• Zone 1 – 8: £346.80, going up to £367.20
• Zone 1 – 9: £384.80, going up to £407.50

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If you don’t need to be in Zone 1, you can choose to either pay for just one zone, or for the zone range you actually require.

Usually, it’s cheaper to travel in one zone, or between two zones. Once you start needing to commute between three, four or more zones, the monthly travel card costs starts to tot up.

It’s also more cost effective to travel in areas located in Zone 2 and Zone 3 (£110.60, going up to £117.20) than it is to travel just in Zone 1 (£147.50, going up to £156.30).

For the full range of prices, plus daily and annual travel card costs, check out TfL’s adult fares chart or work out your new cost from March using this price checker .

As for youngsters, 11 to 15-year-olds can buy a monthly ZIP Oyster card, with fares starting from a much lower £73.80 (going up to £78.40) for travel in Zone 1 and Zone 2. 16 to 17-year-olds can also commute between the two for the same price.

Meanwhile, an apprentice or an adult student can pay £103 per month (going up to £109.10) for travelcard covering Zone 1 and Zone 2.

There’s also a JobCentre Plus monthly travelcard, which starts at £73.80 (going up to £78.40) per month.

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Oyster cards, contactless cards and rail discounts

Here you can find information about getting an Oyster card and using your bank card on public transport as well as information about what discounts you may be eligible for.

Contactless payment

Oyster cards, 18+ student oyster photocards.

• 16+ Zip Oyster cards

16-25 and 26-30 railcards

Young persons coach card.

Please note that this information is correct to the best of our knowledge but may be subject to change.

If your bank card issued on Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or American Express shows the contactless payment symbol, you can use it to pay-as-you-go on all Transport for London (TfL) services. 

Using a mobile payment, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, is the same as using a contactless card. You can make mobile payments with devices such as phones, watches, key fobs, stickers or wristbands.

For more information on using contactless payment methods on London transport, please visit the Transport for London (TfL) website.   

Please do not apply for the 18+ oystercard until you are living in London during term time and have updated your Portico record to show this. You will not be eligible for the card if you do not live in London during term time.

What is an Oyster card?

Many people living in London use Oyster cards to pay for public transport. An Oyster card is a plastic smartcard which can hold pay-as-you-go credit (money), Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes. You can load money on to your Oyster card (known as ‘topping up’) at any tube or London Overground station, as well as in any shop where you see the blue Oyster card sign. You can use an Oyster card to travel on bus, tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line, River Bus services and most National Rail services in London.

Most people living in London will have an Oyster card, as Oyster fares are substantially cheaper than buying paper tickets for single journeys. 

You can find out the cost of single journeys using Travel for London’s Single Fare Finder tool.

Where can I get an Oyster card?

You can get an Oyster card from any Tube, London Overground and TfL Rail stations, as well as some DLR and National Rail stations.

How much does it cost?

You have to pay a £7 fee for an Oyster card, and if you bought yours on or after 4 September 2022, it is non-refundable. 

What is an 18+ Oyster card?

An 18+ Student Oyster photocard works in the same way as a standard Oyster card, but looks slightly different as it includes a photo of you. It also entitles you to some extra discounts.

What discounts can I get with an 18+ Oyster card?

If you have an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, you can get 30% off the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.

A Travelcard season ticket gives you unlimited travel for a week, a month or a year. The cost of a Travelcard will vary depending on the length of time it is valid for and which zones you are travelling between. For example, if you are travelling only in zone 1 or between zones 1 and 2, a weekly Travelcard will cost £33. Travelling in zones 1-3 will cost £38.70. You can find a full list of rates on the TfL website .

Am I eligible?

If you're 18 or over, live at a London address during term time and in full-time education, or on a mandatory work placement in London, you may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard.

Please find the eligibility criteria outlined on the TFL web page.

You must have fully enrolled at UCL before you will be eligible . If you apply before you have fully enrolled, you risk your application being rejected and losing your application fee. If you are a part-time student, your application will be rejected unless you meet the TfL criteria, which can be found on the TfL website. You must use your correct programme end date from Portico when you apply otherwise your application will be rejected.

How do I apply?

In order to apply online for your photocard you will need to provide:

• an active email address
• your UCL student number (SN on the front of your UCL ID card )
• London borough  address
• Digital photo  which must be a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB
• Your correct programme of study end date from Portico

You will be required to pay an administration fee of £20 using a credit or debit card. Due to the £20 fee of registering for an 18+ Oyster card, it is worth considering whether or not it will be worth the money for you. Please make sure to select the 'University Course' option and not the 'Work Placement' option, as you may lose the administration fee if you choose the incorrect option. 

If you will only be making a few journeys on public transport, you may not need to use a Travelcard or Bus & Tram Pass season ticket and therefore would not need an 18+ photocard. You may be better off using pay as you go at the adult rate and not paying the £20 fee. For example, to hit a weekly Travelcard in zones 1-2, you would need to make at least fourteen Tube journeys (which would cost £2.40 each within zones 1-2) or 22 bus journeys (which always cost £1.50, no matter how far you travel) to make it worth buying a £33 weekly Travelcard, and thus benefit from the discount.

You can use TfL’s Single Fare Finder to work out how much single tube journeys would cost you for different zones, and whether or not you are likely to make enough journeys for it to be worth buying a weekly, monthly or yearly Travelcard. If you are buying multiple Travelcards, it may be worth paying the £20 fee to register for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard to benefit from the 30% discount.

Please note:  You must enter your institution name correctly in order for the application to be successful - if the form does not automatically select 'UCL' when you type it in, please click the link to view a list of all eligible institutions and pick 'UCL' from the list. If you extend your period of study, you will need to apply for a new Oyster photocard to cover the additional time. UCL is not responsible for any inaccuracies in your Oyster photocard end date. If your status changes and you are no longer eligible for the 18+ Oyster photocard (because you leave UCL, interrupt your studies or change to part-time status) we are required to report this to TfL.

You should be aware that once your Oyster has a discount attached to it, you can no longer share it with or lend it to other people as it is only valid with the associated discount card.

Apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Card

Checking your application status

Information on how to check your application status can be found on the TfL's 18+ Student Oyster photocard web page

If you have a query about the status of your application for the 18+ Oyster card, you may log an enquiry via askUCL. Please quote your application reference number.

16+ Zip Oyster Card

UCL can sign and stamp a 16+ Oyster card application for eligible students.

To be eligible for free bus and tram travel, the applicant must be aged 16 or 17 on 31st August and be living in a London borough. If the applicant is 18, UCL does not sign the form as a Higher Education Institute (level 6).

Full details of how to apply for the 16+ Oyster card can be on the Transport for London website .

What are railcards?

The 16-25 and 26-30 railcards are plastic cards or downloadable as an app that gives you 1/3 off rail fairs. Many home students consider buying a 16-25 or 26-30 railcard if they are intending to travel by train fairly often, for example, to visit family.

For more information visit the 16-25 railcard web page.

For more information, visit the 26-30 railcard website.

Where can I buy one, and how much do they cost?

You should only buy the 16-25 or 26-30 railcards from the official railcard website . They cost £30 for one year.

Linking your railcard and your Oyster card

You can also add the discount to your standard Oyster card or your 18+ Student Oyster photocard to get a 34% discount on single off-peak pay-as-you-go fares on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services.

Peak times are from 06:30 to 9:29 and from 16:00 to 18:59 Monday to Friday. During peak travel times, some journeys cost slightly more. Your railcard will not get you a discount during these times.

For example: a single Tube journey within zone 1 or between zones 1 and 2 outside the hours of 06:30 to 9:29 and from 16:00 to 18:59 or on a weekend would cost £2.40. With a railcard linked to your Oyster card, the same journey would cost £1.59. Journeys made within those hours (during peak times) would cost £2.90, regardless of whether or not your Oyster and railcard are linked.

You can use TfL's Single Fare Finder to work out how much single Tube journeys would cost without being linked to a railcard.

Due to the £30 fee when you buy a railcard, it is worth considering whether or not you would use the discounts it gives you often enough for it to be worth the money.

How do I link my railcard and my Oyster card?

To link your Oyster card and railcard, you need to take your Oyster card and your railcard to an Underground station, Overground ticket office or some National Rail ticket offices and ask the clerk to add your discount entitlement to your Oyster card. It will be valid until the expiry of the railcard.

Young person coach cards are available for all people aged 16 - 26 or full-time students over the age of 26. They give you a third (33.3%) off all Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares with the National Express. 

Find out more information on the National Express website .

Useful links

• TfL info - student travel in London  
• TfL blog - 5 things to do in London on a student budget
• Student Beans (discounts)
• National Union of Students (NUS)
• Endsleigh Student Insurance
• UCL Term Dates
• Students' Union UCL Advice Service

Student Oyster Photocard

All full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 and over may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard , which provides a 30 per cent travel discount on most Transport for London (TfL) services.

The 18+ Student Oyster photocard enables you to buy Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets at 30 per cent off the equivalent adult weekly and monthly fares. These are for use on:

• National Rail trains in the London area
• the London Underground (the tube)
• Docklands Light Railway
• London bus services

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, you must be aged 18, be living at a London address during term time AND be one of the following:

• a full-time student enrolled on a full-time course, consisting of 15 or more tuition-led and/or structured learning hours a week over a period of at least 14 weeks
• receiving NHS Bursary funds as a full-time student (proof is required)
• a full-time postgraduate student (e.g. studying or writing up for 15 or more hours per week)
• a part-time postgraduate student on a course lasting at least 14 weeks, and receiving NHS bursary funds (you must provide evidence of this)
• a sabbatical officer
• a full-time student as defined above on mandatory work placement in London for a minimum period of 14 weeks

Part-Time Students

Please be aware that part-time students are generally not eligible under the terms of the 18+ Student Oyster photocard scheme, and applications will not be approved automatically.

If you are a part-time student and believe that you qualify for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard, please contact the Student Funding Office by emailing [email protected] providing your name, King's ID and course details, and let us know which criteria you believe you qualify under. 

How do I apply?

Applying online is the only way to receive your discount entitlement. Your 18+ Student Oyster photocard will be sent to the address you provide and should arrive within five to seven days after approval from King's (this is carried out by the Student Funding Office ). 

Please note that when applying you will need:

• A colour, digital photo
• Your student, enrolment ID from your school, college or university
• A London address
• A valid debit or credit card to pay the £20 administration fee
• An active, valid email address

When applying for your TfL 18+ oyster card please ensure you search for 'Kings College London' and select the entry with address ‘Kings College London, James Clerk Maxwell Building, 57 Waterloo Road.’

If selecting the institution from a list, make sure to select Kings College London, and not the NHS Foundation Trust or “Kings London.”

If you don’t apply to the correct 'Kings College London' your application will be rejected by another institution and you may have to make a new application and incur the £20 administration fee again.

When entering your Course Details (Step 3) you will be asked to provide your Student enrolment (ID) Number. This is the 7 or 8 digit number on your student card. Please do not enter the ID that begins with a “K” as this may cause delays in approving your application.

18+ Student Oyster photocard

Applications cannot be approved until your first day of term, so we will not be able to submit approval before this date. 

We will only be able to approve applications for students who have fully completed registration, including on-campus enrolment and the collection of their student ID card.

If you have any further issues, please contact the Student Funding Office on [email protected]. 

16+ Zip Oyster photocard

As King's is a university, under the terms and conditions of the 16+ Zip Oyster Photocard scheme we are not able to approve applications for this scheme. Students at King's who are not yet 18 will be able to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard after their eighteenth birthday.

Can I get discount on National Rail?

Students can apply for a National Rail 16-25 Railcard (formerly known as a Young Persons Railcard). It costs £30 and saves students 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. For information about eligibility and how to apply visit the 16-25 Railcard website .

Mature students (over the age of 26 and in full-time education) can also apply.

Changes in Registration

Please note that if your registration status changes (e.g. if you graduate, interrupt or withdraw from your studies or change your study status to part-time), you may no longer be entitled to the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard under the terms and conditions of the scheme. Under these circumstances we are required to report this to TfL and your card will be stopped.

If you have interrupted your studies, then you will need to reapply for a new 18+ Student Oyster Photocard when you have re-enrolled as a full-time student.

Medical students intercalating externally will be considered as interrupted at King's, and will need to apply for a new 18+ Student Oyster photocard with the institution where they are completing their intercalated degree, once their card at King's is stopped.

If you extend your period of study you will need to apply for a new 18+ Student Oyster photocard to cover this additional study time. 

You can find out further information on the TfL website. 

Disclaimer:

King's has tried to give students an early opportunity to begin their research of student funding. Although every effort has been made to ensure that information provided is both helpful to prospective candidates and accurate at the time of its publication, it is possible that some information may be outdated or superseded before the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

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London Public Transport

We realise that being a foreign student in a big city like London can be a bit overwhelming, especially when trying to take public transportation. Do not worry! We have broken everything down for you so that you can get to where you want to go without any troubles and for the cheapest price.

You can buy an Oyster or travel card here:

Planning Your Journey

• Before taking the Tube, always check to see when the first and last trains are.
• The first thing you need to know is what tube station you are leaving from and at which station you will need to arrive at.
• Once you know where you are leaving from, check to see where your station is on the underground line. Locate your destination and the underground line that it is on.
• Remember to check the train's destination, which can usually be found on the front of the train or on the display boards, to make sure that you are getting a train going in the right direction – and that if you need to change lines, you keep going the right way!
• Note: Sometimes trains do not travel all the way to the terminal station and will terminate a few stations before. There will usually be a train that goes to the end of the line shortly afterwards, but it means that you may have to get out and wait at the platform for a while.

Oyster Cards

An Oyster Card is a pay as you go travel pass that you can use for the underground, bus, tram, DLR, London over-ground trains and some National Rail train services.

There are two advantages to having an Oyster Card. Firstly, they are so convenient. When you've just arrived back in London from your summer holiday, the last thing you want is to be messing around buying a Travelcard every day. The other major benefit is that Oyster Cards make travelling much cheaper. It will always calculate the cheapest price for your journey, and paying for a journey with an Oyster Card costs a lot less than buying a paper ticket.

There are two types of Oyster Card: 

Standard Oyster Card

You can pick one of these up from selected high street shops or at most train stations in London, or get it delivered within the UK. They are free but have a refundable £5 deposit. They can have season tickets placed on them, be pay as you go, or auto top-up.

Visitor Oyster Card

If you want to get your Oyster delivered abroad before you arrive in London then this is for you. They have a £3 non-refundable deposit and you can get them already topped up when they arrive.

Order One Now 

Make sure you touch your Oyster Card to the yellow sensor at the start and the end of your journey. If you forget to touch in or touch out, you will be charged the maximum daily fee.

If you travel during peak times, Monday to Friday (4:30–9:30 in the morning) you will be charged more for your journey.

Student Oyster Cards

Student Photo Oyster Cards are available to students over the age of 18 and enrolled at a participating university or institution. Although you can still use the Student Oyster Card for pay-as-you go travel, no additional discounts are available for single journeys, daily travel or 3 day travel. The Student Oyster Card allows you to spend less money on travel in and around London when you purchase Travelcards valid for 7 days, one month or longer periods of time (up to one year). You will end up saving 30% off the adult fare for that Travelcard. Eligible students must apply for a student oyster card online or by post through their university or institution. Contact your Student Union or the National Union of Students for more information.

If you are under the age of 19 and in full time Education in the UK, you may qualify for the 16+ Student Oyster Card, which will entitle you to free transport on London buses and trams and allow you to purchase Travelcards at a child's rate.

You can purchase a Travelcard valid for transport on the underground, London over-ground trains, DLR, tram, schedules riverboat services and some National Rail services for anytime travel or off-peak travel (travel starting after 9:30 in the morning). You can also purchase a travel pass only valid for the bus and tram network in London. This pass will not allow you to travel on the tube or on any trains.

National Rail Cards allow you to have unlimited travel on National Rail services between the zones specified on your card for the duration of your card. Students holding the National Rail 16-25 cards can purchase travel cards at the off-peak rate, which is a great deal and can save you 50% off your travel costs.

Before taking the bus, always check to see what the times for the first and last buses are. It is also a good idea to check if there are any delays or closed routes by using the Journey Planner.

For bus route map and timetable information, check TFL. You can also use the Journey Planner to find out which bus you will need to take in order to reach your destination.

When you arrive at the bus stop, make sure the bus you need to take, stops at that station (bus numbers are listed on white plaques at the stop). If it does not, look to see if there is any other bus stop nearby or ask a local shop owner for help.

When you arrive at the correct bus stop, check the route map to make sure your bus is heading in the correct direction. If you are unsure, check the front of the bus to see if its last stop is in the direction you wish to travel.

If you find that the bus is heading in the opposite direction to the one in which you want to travel, you will probably need to cross the street to take the bus heading in the right direction.

If you have an Oyster Card, make sure to touch in, but you will not have to touch out. Sometimes, you will be allowed to buy a bus ticket on the bus, although not usually in Central London. Check around the bus stop to see if there is a machine to purchase tickets before your bus arrives.

Night Buses

Night Buses are run on a limited service, late at night. The Night Bus service usually starts after midnight. The routes are much longer and the stops are less frequent. Students usually take the Night Bus to get home after a late night out because it is the only mode of public transport to run through to the early hours. To find out which Night Bus services your area, check at bus stops near you or use the Journey Planner. Night Buses have an "N" before the route number e.g. N11.

In London, you have two cab options: Registered Black Cabs and Mini-Cabs.

All airports have a Black Cab service. Riding in a Black Cab can be a great experience for a foreigner, as the cab driver will most likely tell you about picking up members of the Royal Family, celebrities and other interesting people. They are also quite knowledgeable about London and if you ask, they will probably tell you what you want to know.

However, if you are not careful, you can run up a hefty bill in a Black Cab. All the cars run on a meter that charges per portion of a mile and per minute stopped. If you hit some traffic, you will be broke in no time! Though they are convenient, they are not the best way to save money.

Mini-Cabs are the way to go if you want discounted taxi transportation. Unlike Black Cabs, you cannot hail Mini-Cabs on the street.

You have to call a Mini-Cab station and they will send you a taxi if you have not pre-booked. Mini-cabs charge for the entire journey, regardless of traffic. When you want to book a Mini-Cab, make sure you call the nearest company to you, as they will most likely be the cheapest.

There are also Mini-Cab companies run by women only for women, so if you are a female and you are wary of cab drivers, know that there is another option for you.

Everything students need to know about Travel Cards. Get your discount on Transport for London!

Traveling around London can be quite expensive for students. Luckily, all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 and over are eligible for a Student Oyster Photocard (student travel card London). This card gives them a 30% travel discount on most Transport for London services, including buses, the underground and trains.

If you’re 18 or over, live at a London address during term time and in full-time education, or on a mandatory work placement in London, you may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard .

If you’re 18 and live in London, you may still be eligible for a Zip 16+ Oyster photocard which offers half-price travel on rail services and free travel on buses.

To apply for student travel card London, you must be enrolled:

• With a school, college or university that’s registered on the TfL scheme
• On a mandatory work placement in London or
• On an eligible full-time or part-time course  

You can top up your pay as you go credit and buy Travelcards for your 18+ Student Oyster photocard online. 

You can only do this via your 18+ Student Oyster photocard account. If you try to buy a Travelcard via a contactless and Oyster account, you will be charged the full adult price. 16-25 Railcard is a perfect solution for students who travel a lot by train. It costs £30 a year and gives you a third discount on all UK rail travel. You can get a 12% discount with the NUS Extra card .

The National Express Young Persons Coachcard costs £10 a year and gives people aged 16 to 26 a 1/3 discount on full National Express bus tickets for travelling to anywhere in the UK.

3 thoughts on “Everything students need to know about Travel Cards. Get your discount on Transport for London!”

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Is the 18+ Student Oyster card worth it?

The student oyster card 18+ is a discounted travel card that is available to full-time students over the age of 18 who are studying in London. This card is a great option for students who need to travel frequently in London, whether that’s by bus, tram or the underground. Find out more about the 18+ Student Oyster card, including information on the cost of the card, how to obtain it, and how to use it to save money on your daily commute. Whether you’re a new student just arriving in London or a returning student looking to save money on your transportation costs, the student oyster card 18+ is a valuable resource for any student studying in London.

How much can you save with an 18+ Student Oyster card?

The card provides a 30% discount on adult-rate Travel cards and Bus & Tram Passes for the academic year. That’s almost a third of all public transportation, which – given the price of getting around London – could save you a lot!

How much does an 18+ Student Oyster card cost?

The cost of the card is £20 for administration fees. The card can be valid for up to three years while you’re studying, which works out at £6.66 a year.

Is an 18+ Student Oyster card worth it?

This is generally dependent on how much you travel, but at only £20 for three years, most agree the student oyster is worth it. The benefits of a student oyster include 30% off travel cards, which include 7 day travel cards, monthly travel cards and yearly travel cards. It also gives you discounted bus and tram passes.

Importantly, the student oyster will only give you 30% discount on travel cards and seasonal passes, not pay as you go! So if you’re the type of student who doesn’t like to plan in advance, the student oyster may not be as beneficial!

Limitations and restrictions of the Student Oyster Card

The 18+ Student Oyster Card, while offering significant benefits, does come with certain limitations. Firstly, the card’s discounts are primarily applicable to Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes, offering a 30% reduction in costs. However, it’s important to note that these discounts do not extend to Pay As You Go (PAYG) fares. This means that if you’re using your Oyster card on a PAYG basis, you’ll be paying the standard adult rate, just like with a regular Oyster card.

Comparing PAYG and travelcards for students

When deciding between PAYG and Travelcard options, your travel patterns play a crucial role. PAYG is more suitable for students with irregular travel schedules or those who travel infrequently. It offers flexibility as you only pay for the journeys you make. On the other hand, Travelcards are more cost-effective for students who travel frequently, especially if their daily commute covers multiple zones. The 30% discount on Travelcards can lead to substantial savings over time. Therefore, if your daily commute involves extensive use of the transport network, opting for a Travelcard with the Student Oyster Card would be more beneficial financially.

Alternatives to the 18+ Student Oyster Card

For students in London and other cities, there are several travel discount options besides the 18+ Student Oyster Card. Many cities offer their own versions of student travel cards, providing similar benefits. For instance, in cities like Vancouver, student fares are often discounted, and some universities include a free transit pass as part of the tuition, encouraging the use of public transportation.

In addition to specific student travel cards, there are also general travel deals and offers that students can take advantage of. Websites and platforms dedicated to student deals often list various discounts on travel, holidays, and transport, which can include savings on train tickets and flights. Furthermore, some cities offer free bus services or discounted tickets to help students make their money go further.

It’s also worth exploring options like railcards, which can offer significant savings on train travel. While these might not be exclusive to students, they can still provide substantial discounts that are beneficial for student budgets. Each city or region may have its own unique set of travel discounts and schemes, so it’s advisable for students to research and compare these options to find the best fit for their travel needs and financial circumstances.

Overall, the 18+ Student Oyster can be a great way to save money on daily commuting in London. However, you’ll most likely reap the benefits if you plan ahead and buy weekly, monthly or yearly passes. Find out how to apply in our step-by-step guide . Now that you’ve got travel sorted, take a look at our tips on managing out the rest of your student finance while living in London .

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Weekly and Monthly Travelcards excluding Zone 1

Weekly and Monthly Travelcards are available for zones excluding zone 1 (central London). So if you’re working, studying or visiting relatives in the suburbs of London, you don’t need a Travelcard including zone 1 unless you travel through zone 1 to reach your destination or enter or exit a station in zone 1.

Travelcards excluding zone 1 are cheaper and for occasional visits to the centre, you can top up your Oyster card with Pay as you go money to pay the difference between the zones your Travelcard covers and zone 1.

Top Tip: A Travelcard for any zone entitles you to travel by bus all over London, including central London (zone 1).

• See where to buy a Travelcard
• See London transport zones to find the zones you need
• See Travelcard fares including zone 1

Zone 2–3,4,5 or 6 Travelcards from 3 March 2024

Zone 3–4,5 or 6 travelcards from 3 march 2024, zone 4–5 or 6 travelcards from 3 march 2024, zone 5–6 travelcards from 3 march 2024, related pages.

• One day and weekly Travelcards including zone 1
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• London transport zones

Last updated: 22 February 2024

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Getting around London: Pay as you go and Travelcard prices

London is big. We get it. So working out how to get from A to B can be slightly intimidating.

To help you with your travel planning and budgeting, we've laid out the best ticket options (and how much they cost*) for your time in London. Pay daily or buy a weekly London Travel card - it's up to you.

Daily Travel Card Prices

If you only need to use public transport for a day or two of your trip, TFL's (Transport for London) day pass with a price cap is all you need to know about. It's priced as a London day travel - one day travel pass. Tap in using your bank card as much as you wish throughout the day and you'll never be charged more than the daily London tube prices cap and they can be used for bus travel as well.   

Weekly Travel Card Prices

If you have a week in the city and you know you're going to be bouncing between the London Underground and those iconic red buses, purchasing a weekly London ticket could save you a few pennies. 

*The above prices are controlled by TFL and are subject to change.

Buy with confidence

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Plans can change, we get it. All non-activated credits packages are eligible for a refund within 90 days of your purchase date.

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Winterville

Get Unlimited Travel With A London Travel Card (Zones, Prices and More)

September 19, 2022

Winterville Staff

Unlimited travels sound great, especially when you’re in London, the Home of Big Ben.

Traveling through London’s convenient transport system is the best way to explore the sights and tastes of the city.

On one side, you’ll take a bus , then on the other, you’ll take a tube .

The perfect way to navigate and wander around the city is by using one single paper ticket – a Travelcard.

It is truly a travel necessity, so you don’t need to take out cash and count the money when you ride a bus or tube . Just insert or swipe the Travelcard and ride with ease.

So if you are coming to London, don’t forget to get a Travelcard, one of the best options to help you save money and travel stress-free.

You can find all the information you need on Travelcards in this Travelcard guide. Learn about the prices, how to buy, validity, and many more.

Want to find out which payment is more suitable for London transport? I suggest reading Visitor Oyster Card Vs Oyster Card Vs Travel Card Vs Contactless Card  to help you decide which card is best for you.

• 1 What is a London Travelcard?
• 2.1 Travelcard season tickets
• 2.2 Day Travelcard
• 2.3 Group Day Travelcard
• 3.1 Adult Travelcard Prices
• 3.2 Children Aged 11-15 Travelcard Prices
• 3.3 16 Years Old and above Travelcard Prices
• 3.4 Students above 18 Years Old Travelcard Prices
• 3.5 Disabled Persons Travelcard Prices
• 4 Where to Buy Travelcards
• 5.1 Is Anytime Travelcard better than Off-peak Travelcard?
• 5.2 How long will it take for my Travelcard to be delivered if I order it online?
• 5.3 Which zones should I choose when purchasing a Travelcard?
• 6 Ready to See London?

What is a London Travelcard?

A Travelcard is a type of contactless electronic smart card used to get unlimited travel through a variety of transportation options .

It is usually a small paper ticket with a magnetic stripe used across selected valid zones shown on the ticket. If you already have an Oyster card , you can request to add a Travelcard to it.

With a Travelcard, you can travel any time from one place to another, no matter how many times you use it.

Travelcards make traveling around London much more convenient since you can use them for all types of transportation . Here’s where you can use a Travelcard:

• London Underground (Tube)
• London Overground
• All buses in London
• Docklands Light Railway ( DLR )
• Elizabeth Line
• National Rail
• River Boat (gives you a 33% discount)
• Emirates Air Line (gives you a 25% discount)

*Travelcards cannot be used for Heathrow Express services and High Speed 1.

Types of Travelcards

Choose the type of Travelcard that suits your needs, whether you need a ticket for one day, week, month, or year.

You can select the duration, start and end date, and the zones you wish to travel to.

The Transport for London (TFL) provides three types of Travelcards: Travelcard season tickets, Day Travelcard, and Group Day Travelcard.

Travelcard season tickets

Travelcard season tickets are best for long-term travels to help you save more money. If you plan to stay for one week, a London 7 Day Travel Card is the optimal choice.

You can travel for seven days and pay for the ticket at a discounted price worth five days.

If you are staying for a month, you can save more when you purchase a Monthly Travel card, instead of a 7 Day Travelcard.

You can get about an 11% discount with a Monthly Travelcard, which is cheaper than buying four 7 Day Travelcards.

Alternatively, the best option for a longer stay is the Annual Travelcard, which gives you at least a 13% discounted price compared to 12 Monthly Travelcards.

Enjoy unlimited travel for 12 months and pay for the price of 10 and a half months of Travelcards.

If you compare it to a 7 Day Travelcard, you get a 23% discount, which gives you more savings than purchasing 52 7 Day Travelcards.

Take advantage of a 52-week unlimited journey and pay for the price of 40 weeks.

Not yet sure how long you plan to travel? Not a problem! You can also choose your first and last day of usage, which can be from 1.5 to 10.5 months.

Day Travelcard

Need a Travelcard for just one day? Opt for the Day Travelcard and choose between Anytime Day and Off-peak Day Travelcards.

An Anytime Day Travelcard can only be used on the date written on the ticket and is valid until 4:29 am the next day. Generally, you can use it from 00:01 to 4:29 the next morning.

Off-peak Day Travelcards are valid from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4:30 am the next day. It can also be used on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays .

However, if you are only going to ride a few times in the day, an Oyster card may be the cheaper option than a Day Travelcard.

Group Day Travelcard

If you are traveling with a group of 10 or more people, choose the Group Day Travelcard and use it from 9:30 am to 4:30 am the next morning.

It is valid from Monday to Friday, as well as on weekends and public holidays . Below is a table of the Group Day Travelcard price list for adults and children under 16 years old.

How much does a travel card cost?

Travelcard offers a flat fee for unlimited travel. However, prices vary per age group, peak or off-peak, ticket type, and zones you are going to . The more zones you wish to travel to, the higher the price.

For instance, a monthly Zone 1 3 Travelcard for adults costs £173.60, whereas a Zone 1-4 Travelcard costs more at £212.00.

If you want more coverage such as a Zone 1-6 Travelcard Monthly, you will have to pay £270.00.

Children between 5 to 10 years old can travel for free with a Zip Oyster photocard , and children under 5 years old can travel for free as long as they are traveling with a paying adult.

Below is a table of Travelcard Prices listed at Tube and rail fares according to age group.

Adult Travelcard Prices

Children aged 11-15 travelcard prices.

To obtain the discounted rates below, the child should have an Oyster 11-15 Photocard.

16 Years Old and above Travelcard Prices

To obtain the discounted rates below, the child should have an Oyster 16+ Photocard.

Students above 18 Years Old Travelcard Prices

Disabled persons travelcard prices, where to buy travelcards.

A Travelcard can be purchased in several ways, regardless of whether you live within the UK or abroad.

You can buy from physical stores in the UK or online via Transport for London Visitor Shop .

If you live outside the UK, you can have the Travelcard delivered to your home, so you are all set to travel as soon as you arrive in the UK.

Aside from the Visitor Shop, there are several other places to buy a ticket in advance, including VisitBritain and The London Pass , or at airports such as Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport.

Wherever you are in the world, you can easily buy tickets from your country with TFL’s many partnered stores.

To purchase a Day Travelcard, go to ticket machines or ticket offices at the stations. Alternatively, you can also buy it at Visitor Centres or at the Tramlink Shop in Croydon.

If you have an Oyster card already, you can add a Travelcard to it through:

• Ticket machines at the station
• Visitor Centres
• Oyster Ticket Stops
• Online (for those with a contactless and Oyster account )
• TfL Oyster and contactless app

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anytime Travelcard better than Off-peak Travelcard?

Determining which is better depends on your planned travel time. An Anytime Travelcard is more suitable if you wish to travel at any time without considering the peak hours.

However, if you don’t mind traveling after 9:30 am, an Off-peak Travelcard is the cheaper option.

How long will it take for my Travelcard to be delivered if I order it online?

After placing your order, the Travelcard will be delivered within 24 hours on business days.

The delivery time depends on the country and delivery method you selected upon checkout.

Which zones should I choose when purchasing a Travelcard?

The specific zones depend on where you want to go. Most of the places you’d want to visit in London are in Zones 1 to 6, of which Zones 1 and 2 have the most major tourist landmarks.

Check the tube map to see the list of zones per station.

Ready to See London?

If affordability and convenience are what you are after, you should get a Travelcard each time you come to London.

Whether you are traveling by bus , tube , or tram , you are ready to pay fast with your all-in-one single paper ticket.

Travelcards are good for solo travelers, families, and groups, helping you save more and travel better.

Do you already have a Travelcard? Share your tips on how to get one and how to use it by writing in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this helpful guide with those who need to buy a Travelcard.

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Student Travel Discounts

Oyster cards or contactless payment cards are the cheapest way to pay for single fare journeys on the underground, buses, DLR and some trains in London. 

Pay as you go

If you don't travel frequently, you may find pay as you go is the cheapest option. If you visit a tube ticket office, you can also link a 16-25 Young Persons Railcard  to your Oyster card to save money on off-peak travel.

16+ Zip Card 

Students aged 16 and 17 can apply for a 16+ Zip card and request to have the form stamped at the Student Hub. Students aged 18 and over need to apply for a 18+ Student Oyster card

18+ Student Oyster Card

With an 18+ Student Oyster Card, you can save 30% off adult-rate Travelcards & Bus/Tram season tickets.

Eligibility

To get an 18+ Student Oyster Card you must be:

• A student aged 18 or over
• A registered, full time student for a minimum of 14 weeks course duration
• Living at a London address during term-time

 How to apply

Once you have enrolled, applications can be made online with  TFL

You will need:

• A colour digital photo to upload
• Your CID number from the College
• Your course start and end dates
• The full postal address of your London based term-time address
• A valid debit or credit card
• To use the end date on your student card

 You can find more information, including full terms and conditions on the  Transport for London website

Frequently Asked Questions

Are part-time students eligible for the 18+ student oyster card.

Part-time students are not eligible.

When will my card expire?

Your 18+ Student Oyster Card will expire on your course end date.

How long will it take to get my card?

After the College has confirmed your student registration to TFL, you should receive your card within two to three weeks. 

You can track the status of your application by signing into your 18+ web account with TFL.

What information does the College release about me to TFL?

Once you have made an application for the 18+ Student Oyster Card, the College is required to confirm that you are a registered student, and the expected end of your course.  

If you make an application for an 18+ Student Oyster Card, you are agreeing to the College releasing this information to Transport for London and its agents.

Am I eligible for a 16+ Zip Oyster card?

Only students aged 16 and 17 can apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster card. The application form can be stamped by staff at the Student Hub,

Students aged 18 and over can only apply for the 18+ Student Oyster Card. 

Where can I find out more information about the 18+ Student Oyster Card?

You can find out more information on the  TFL website