What are the different types of Oyster cards?

What are the different types of Oyster cards? There are 2 different types of Oyster Cards: a Visitor Oyster Card and a Regular or Standard Oyster Card. They function in essentially the same way but with a few key differences.

What is a purple Oyster card?

Railway enthusiasts have been snapping up the limited edition cards, which have been released by Transport for. The cards, which work exactly like the normal pay-as-you-go Oyster card, are emblazoned in purple and designed to look like the chairs found on trains on the Elizabeth Line.

Can I buy an Oyster card at Heathrow Airport?

The most convenient places to buy an Oyster card are Underground stations across London, including Heathrow airport. You can buy one using either cash or your credit/debit card. Although there are a few manned ticket offices in London, the likelihood is that you will buy an Oyster card from a ticket machine.

What is a blue Oyster card?

The Oyster card is a payment method for public transport in London (and certain areas around it) in England, United Kingdom. A standard Oyster card is a blue credit-card-sized stored-value contactless smart card.

How many zones does Oyster card cover?

An Oyster card covers the majority of public transport options in London, including buses, trams, Underground Tube, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), TfL Rail services and London Overground services in Zones 1-9, all suburban national rail services in zones 1-9, Thames Clipper River Bus services, and the Cable Car service ...

Do you need ID for Oyster card?

You do not need a ticket for free travel, just the ID Card. You cannot get a standard child rate Oyster card without an Oyster ID Card.

Where can you not use Oyster card?

You can't use Oyster on the following rail services on any journey starting or finishing outside the Pay as you go area: East Midlands Trains, Grand Central, Hull Trains, Virgin Trains, or London North Eastern Railway services.

How do you put money on an Oyster card?

If you need to add more value/credit to your Visitor Oyster card you can simply 'top up' at one of the machines in the stations, or by going to one of the Transport for London ticket desks. Any credit you don't use can be kept on your card for use at a later date.

Is there a difference between an Oyster card and a Visitor Oyster card?

Unlike Standard Oyster cards, Visitor Oyster cards are disposable and cannot be topped up. Another difference between the two cards is that Visitor Oyster cards come with a daily price cap, which means that you will only pay a certain amount per day, regardless of how many journeys you make.

What is the cheapest way to travel around London?

The cheapest ways to get around London include walking, getting an Oyster card, avoiding travel at peak hours, cycling, taking the bus for long-distance, cruising the Thames Clipper, and taking the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

Are Oyster cards being discontinued?

However, there are no plans to stop offering an Oyster option, according to TfL's head of customer payments Mike Tuckett, who joined the ticketing team just after the contract to deliver the technology for the Oyster card was signed in 1998.

Is it worth getting an Oyster card as a tourist?

Great value. Pay as you go fares are cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or Day Travelcard. Your Visitor Oyster card offers daily capping. This means you can travel as much as you like in a single day and the amount you pay for your travel is limited (or capped).

What are the disadvantages of the Oyster card?

Cons: A £7 cost applies when you get a standard or visitor card. You'll need to top it up in advance of travel. You can't use an Oyster card at any station between Reading and Iver.

What are the cons of Oyster card?

Can I buy a Visitor Oyster card when I arrive in London?

You can't buy a Visitor Oyster card in London. Go to the Visitor Shop website to buy your card before you leave home and it will be delivered to your home address.

How long does it take to get an Oyster card?

All orders of Travelcards and Visitor Oyster cards are dispatched within 24 hours of being placed, Monday to Friday. Our fulfillment warehouse is closed at the weekends. Any order placed after 08:30 (GMT) on a Friday will be dispatched the following Monday (excluding public holidays).

Can non UK residents buy an Oyster card?

If you are a non-UK resident , then you choose to either buy a Visitor Oyster card online before you leave home or you can choose to buy one at the TFL visitor centres and Oyster ticket shops in London upon your arrival. The Tramlink Shop, Croydon, is another location where one can be purchased.

Can I get a free Oyster card at 60?

60+ London Oyster photocard This allows you to travel for free on most public transport in London. You can apply from two weeks before your 60th birthday.

Is it cheaper to use Oyster or bank card?

Is it cheaper to use Oyster or contactless? As both cards use the same Pay As You Go system and are compatible with the TfL Oyster & Contactless app, the costs are comparable. As a tourist in London, it can be worth getting an Oyster Card as part of the London Pass.

Do Oyster cards expire?

Never expires: You can stash your Oyster card for your next trip and, even if it is many years later, it will still work. All you need to do is top up when you're there and you're ready to go!