Oyster card and London Pass

Last year in London all we needed was our tap credit card for the tube, why pay for an oyster card?

Edit: just to add, an Apple Watch makes it even easier……..:-)

OP -- I'm assuming you're looking at a London Pass and a Visitor Oyster Card?

Generally many will say that the Visitor Oyster Card is not the ideal payment method.

You'll need a payment method for TfL/tube/bus etc. That payment method may be your contactless bank card, NFC/mobile payment, or a regular Oyster Card. If you're comfortable with using your contactless bank card or mobile device you're good to go. If you'd rather have an Oyster Card, or you need an Oyster Card to insure that each individual traveling in your party has their own payment method, they can be purchased once you arrive.

You can use this link to learn about Oyster, contactless or mobile payment with TfL
https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0003.do

why pay for an oyster card?

Why not? Personally I'm not quibbling over £7 for the card and when doing the dance between gates, pockets, wallet and a cane. I'd rather just leave my Oyster Card loose in my pocket, till I'm finished on the tube.

We were in London for a week last month and didn't bother buying an Oyster Card. We each used a tap credit card for all our tube and bus rides. The only reason I could think to buy an Oyster Card now, would be for a child or teen who didn't have their own credit card.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

Love having an Oyster Card to use on Public Transport. If I lost it I’d be mildly upset….if I lost a debit or credit card I’d be livid.

So THAT is why I still use an Oyster Card.

It looks to me as if the reason is that they are including the Big Bus HOHO with the pass.

Now the principle of HoHO buses in London is hotly debated here. But the wider thing to bear in mind is that there are at least half a dozen HOHO companies in London.
Tying yourself to one ahead of time seems a bit foolish to my mind, even if you want to use a HoHO. They are all much of a much ness, whether their prices significantly vary I don't really know.

It will usually be more time efficient (and a lot more cost efficient) to use the tube than any of the HoHO companies.

I would also do the math (as they say) on where you plan to visit. Personally I am distinctly sceptical if you would spend £104 on admittances and transport per person in 1 day, or even £169 in 3 days. £229 in 7 days even feels to me like a bit of a stretch., but may be possible.

But you need to check that out. I am just guiding your thought process, not decrying the scheme. It may well work for you.

Given that you can buy an Oyster Card on arrival, the Visitor Oyster (which they promote) doesn't have any obvious reason to have to pre-purchase- assuming you go down the Oyster route of paying for your TfL fares. The only clear reason (and it may be enough) is that you get a pretty picture on a Visitor Oyster, not on a regular one. So for £5 it is a nice souvenir, irrespective of other merits or otherwise.

Thank you everyone for the information it has been very helpful.
I think we will use our tap credit cards, it seems to be the easiest way to pay for transportation.
Have a wonderful day and safe travels to all,
KSM

Love having an Oyster Card to use on Public Transport. If I lost it I’d be mildly upset….if I lost a debit or credit card I’d be livid.

I agree with Claudia. I don't love pulling out my debit card all the time. Like keeping it more protected and using the Oyster card.

Oyster cards vs tap-to-pay. Carry cash or rely on credit. Trains or buses.

So many questions for which the right answer is different for different folks.

Love having an Oyster Card to use on Public Transport. If I lost it I’d be mildly upset….if I lost a debit or credit card I’d be livid.

This.

Where I live in the US I can use a credit card for public transit. But if I lost my card it would be an inconvenience; I'd quickly call to report the card lost and go on my merry way. Maybe I'd have to pay cash for a few days in grocery stores until I got my new card. Losing a credit card in Europe would be a much more difficult situation.

Just a quick note that owners of Apple Watches or Android watches can pay using those, helping to keep the credit cards safely in the wallet. But Oyster cards are a fine solution, too. I'm just too cheap myself to pay someone ten bucks for the privilege of paying them for service.

Will tapping the same credit card in/out using London's transport max out at the daily price capping as would the Oyster card or Apple/Google pay?

Will tapping the same credit card in/out using London's transport max out at the daily price capping as would the Oyster card or Apple/Google pay?

Yes