If I'm flying into Heathrow from AMS on British Airways, arriving at Terminal 5 and being met by a driver, will I pass near someplace I can buy my Oyster card?
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
what about the tube station at Terminal 5?
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUHR5/heathrow-terminal-5-underground-station
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Terminal 5 station has only ticket machines which cannot sell you an Oyster card. Terminals 2 and 3 station has a Visitor Centre where you can buy one.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
Is this a recent change? We were able to buy an Oyster Card at Terminal 5 just last year. If I remember correctly, we bought it at a counter before descending into the tube station.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4168 posts
If you are being met by a driver , I assume the driver is transferring you to your hotel , yes ? If so , why would you need an oyster card before going into a tube station , somewhere in central London , when you could buy it leisurely at your convenience , I am curious ?
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5467 posts
If you are discounting the airport, Oyster cards are sold at various locations apart from Underground stations etc, from neighbourhood newsagents, corner shops etc. Find them here.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Oyster cards are sold at places other than tube stations - it's possible that a shop in the terminal is selling them outside the station itself.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7208 posts
When I was last there in Dec 2015 I bought the cards at the airport. At that time they were in the process of automating everything so I'm not certain where there are still people to help you.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
995 posts
Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question! I wanted to buy at the airport mostly for convenience so we could hit the ground running as soon as we got to the city. Our apartment is on the Albert Embankment near the Lambeth Bridge, and there are bus stops right in front but not a tube stop very close. If we needed a bus immediately (e.g., it's raining) thought it would be good to have Oyster cards in hand. Not a big issue. Had no idea they are sold at so many places other than tube stations! The map Marco linked me to shows a convenience store very near our apartment where we can buy. So all is good. Thanks again for your help, everybody.
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
My travel companion bought an Oyster from the ticket machine at the tube station in Terminal 5. This was last October. As long as you have cash or a credit card that works in the machine, I don't know why you wouldn't be able to do that today unless there have been major changes to the ticket machine.