My younger daughter and I will be going to London soon. Since she doesn't have a credit card, would I need to get her an Oyster Card to tap in/out and then use my card/phone for me?
How do I add money to an Oyster Card given that I'm out of the country?
Thanks!
Oyster cards are available in ticket machines at Tube stations. Simply use your credit card to purchase and add credit at the ticket machines upon arrival. It’s very simple and straightforward.
You each need your own method of payment, depending on your daughter's age there may be some discounts available https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel It is easier to buy an Oyster card on arrival than try to purchase one from overseas.
Thanks - so I can use 1 credit card - directly for mine and to add money to her Oyster Card? And I can add money with that credit card at ticket machines to an Oyster Card?
How old is your daughter? If she is 15 or under, you can ask a member of staff to add a young visitor discount to her Oyster card and her rate will be half the adult rate. Kids that are 10 or under travel free with a paying adult and don’t need an oyster card.
"Thanks - so I can use 1 credit card - directly for mine and to add money to her Oyster Card"
That's correct, yes. Or one of you can use phone pay and the other can use the card, or you can give her a debit card, rather than buy an Oyster card. But see comments above re young visitor discount.
Red G, good point re a debit card. Our kids had their own accounts and cards from 12 years old, mainly for train/buses/taxi and perhaps a snack on the way back from school, but they were also able to use them when traveling overseas.
Also.worth looking at Revolut or Wise for debit card options with good exchange rates. Can we opened in a few minutes online.
The vital question is, how old is your daughter? An Oyster card will cost £10 even before you have loaded any money onto it. If she is eligible for discounted travel due to her age, by all means, buy one and ask for the young persons discount to be applied so that she gets cheaper travel. Otherwise ask your bank for a contactless card linked to your account before you travel.
Thanks for so much quick and great info! She's 15. Given that there's the upfront fee for the Oyster Card itself, would that negate any child discount? We're there 5 nights.
Given that there's the upfront fee for the Oyster Card itself, would that negate any child discount? We're there 5 nights.
No it doesn't. The adult fare in Zone 1 is £2.90 Peak, £2.80 Off Peak.
With the Young Visitor Discount on an Oyster those fares are £1.45 and £1.40. So over the 5 days if you travel 8 or more times on the tube then you have saved money.
Furthermore if you come into London from Heathrow on the Piccadilly Line that is another £2.80 saving, if on the Elizabeth Line it is £6.90 saving.
I agree with isn31c that you should more than recoup the $10 Oyster card fee with a young visitor discount on a five day visit. Just remember that you need to get a member of staff at the station where you buy the Oyster card to add the discount.
Does she have an iPhone/Apple Watch, and can you add your card onto her device? Then you can enable it for transit so you can both tap and go.
You can also use apple pay from your phone, super convenient!
