any benefit to the oyster card versus my phone?

Nope. In theory it should work...but I'm not familiar with Android pay, since I've seen variations of Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

But I know from experience that Apple pay works pretty well.

You can check this Mobile Payment options in the TfL website for more info

Even though your phone will work, the Oyster Card is easier to use. With your phone you have to go through the process of authorizing the phone which can sliow you down in a busy subway station with the possibility that a pickpocket cann take advantage of the situation being distracted. With the Oyster you simply stick it in your wallet or a side pocket in your purse and hold it up to the reader; no need to take it out and fumble around with anything.

@Michael Schneider, interesting. i guess for people who always have their phones closeby it's not so much of an issue. i never noticed fumbling around when paying with google pay for anything else, tho i have a fingerprint lock so it takes no time to unlock it.

There’s a big difference between paying by phone at a retail store and a busy metro station at rushhour with a hundreds of people trying to exit all at once. It will be an experience you won’t forget:)

would you expect the same issues tapping in with a credit card?

Contactless payment still has the advantage over Oyster of having weekly in addition to daily capping. Could be a saver if your visit covers a Monday-Sunday period.

Oyster is required though if you are entitled to apply any kind of discount. For visitors the most common would be the Young Visitor Discount for 11-15 year olds.

For such a small value the phone ought to only need to be woken up, without authorisation as such in the app, but there are always occasions when this doesn't still quite work.

Things to consider using contactless payment for the Tube:

• Your credit card may charge Foreign Currency Conversion and usage fees for each transaction.
• Not all credit cards are supported through android or Apple pay for payment for London Transit. (All AmEx cards work, Most MasterCards work, but only a few Visa cards not issued in GB are supported.)
• You have to use the exact same payment card within the android or Apple pay app for every trip to get the cap discounts.
• Oyster is simply the quickest to approve and let you through the gate compared to any phone or credit card.

Marco,

Not sure how android works, but Apple pay requires every transaction, from a penny to hundreds of pounds, to be authorized by your finger print at least. Takes time even though you are not fully waking your phone.

Your credit card may charge Foreign Currency Conversion and usage fees for each transaction.

Not quite true. Your card is only charged once a day, not for every trip.

Overseas transaction fees
Be aware that overseas transaction fees or charges may apply for travel made with a card issued outside the UK - please check with your card issuer. Generally, this is only one charge per day.

This info is on the official TFL website, including info on which foreign cards are accepted: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless/what-are-contactless-payment-cards

Chris F,

Yes, I did say "transaction" not "trip". :-)

Still even at once per day the fees can add up when you are being charged up to 5% and $5 per transaction which is common among the larger US card issuers.

Each transaction though is one day's combined travel, not each individual trip, as long as the same card is used by the app.

Contactless payment still has the advantage over Oyster of having weekly in addition to daily capping. Could be a saver if your visit covers a Monday-Sunday period.

Exactly this! Here's a quick video on this to illustrate

but only a few Visa cards not issued in GB are supported.

I've been able two use three different Visa cards (two credit-one debit) from three different banks via Apple Pay without any problems.

Not sure how android works, but Apple pay requires every transaction, from a penny to hundreds of pounds,

That sounds rather inconvenient and somewhat of a drawback. Google pay for one only needs it over the contactless limit of £30.

I think the main advantage of using oyster over phone or credit card is risk reduction. This may not apply to your situation.

If I lose my phone or credit card while traveling, it is a real inconvenience. If I lose an Oyster, I'm out maybe 20 GBP and I just go buy a new one. I prefer to keep my phone and credit card in an interior zippered pocket of my purse when I am in transit. I keep my Oyster in a more accessible place so I can quickly retrieve it when entering/exiting.

The Oyster Card is the way to go in my opinion! Easy to purchase, easy to load, easy to use, and easy to redeem at the same machines you use at the airport to purchase. Wish France and Italy would use them!!
Happy Travels✨💫

The Oyster card is really easy to use. Just tap it against the button, and you're good to go! I think that's what I like best about it.

Oyster card, hands down. You can always tell the tourists using their phones which won't wake up or having other problems. That queue is not moving and the daily commuters are VERY unhappy. Personally, I prefer to avoid catcalls and insults, like "Bloody tourist" or "Inconsiderate bloke", or worse..... That plus we keep our phones is a secure inner pocket and the Oyster card is SO easy to tap and go.

Well I guess I'm in the minority and one of the few tourists that actually had no issues using my phone in the tubes/buses.

I do have an Oyster card that I bought during our first trip 2 years ago and did use it a lot.

My wife is "electronics/gizmo" challenged...so using her phone to pay for anything is NOT an option for her.

Bottom line: If you don't know how to use the NFC features on your phone...stick with the Oyster Card.