London Tube

https://www.toptiplondon.com/transport/tickets/contactless-cards

I use an Oyster simply because I wouldn’t have a meltdown if I lost it.

Losing a credit or debit card would cause unwanted angst.

I’ll use a tap and go at restaurants, pubs, shopping, and to purchase tickets.

I have a related question. Doesn’t oyster card require a photograph? Just curious before I go to London, so that I can get an extra photograph made if I need to bring one.

Great. Thank you! Where do I buy an Oyster card? At the station? Thanks again!

I didn't need a photo for my Oyster Card.

You can buy the card from vending machines at Underground stations, I believe, as well as from staffed counters. I'm not sure there's a staffed counter selling cards at every station, though.

You don’t need a photo for your Oyster Card. You get them at the LHR Terminal 5 Underground Station. There’s a cashiers window..There’s a £5 refundable deposit. I’d put £ 15 pounds on it to start with. At nearly every Underground Station there are machines where you can top up your card.

If any interest there are nice plastic card holder choices in the British Library gift shop. Love mine from there. Also saw them at the V & A Museum gift shop.

No photos needed for Oyster Card.

You can get the Oyster Card at any underground station. There are three Underground stations at Heathrow and you can buy them at any of them.

You can use any form of contactless payment. Just make sure you use the same type of payment tapping out as you did tapping in.

I think you need to use the same method all the time to get the benefit of the daily and weekly caps, don't you?

Yes, acraven, that's why I said you need to use the same method tapping in and tapping out. Otherwise, not only will you not get the daily cap but you will also pay the highest fare.

You don't even need to visit a staffed ticket window to get an Oyster card. You can get them from the machines at most stations, including Heathrow.

Can I use my credit card to tap and pay to use the tube? Or do I need to buy an oyster card? Thank you!

Yes, you can use a contactless credit/bank card. You do not need to buy an Oyster card.

I suggested getting an Oyster card for a few reasons.

1.) Wouldn’t be miffed if I lost it. Easily replaced.
Can’t be said for loosing or replacing bank debit or credit card.
2.) You’ll have a souvenir. Although I don’t use it I kept the Oyster Card which has a photo of Prince William and Kate on it when it was issued during their engagement.