Traveling to London with my granddaughter in March, 2026. I think I heard that Rick says that the Oyster card is no longer necessary and we instead should just tap our credit card. Did he say that the Transport of London will give the traveler the best deal according to how many times they use the tube? I’m supposing that Rick is referring to our American credit card with the chip? We would just tap each time we use the tube?]
Thanks!
Polly
Correct, you each tap a separate card each time you enter and exit the tube (and each time you get on a bus). Most new American cards have tap-to-pay, but you can double check by looking for a symbol with 3* (edit: actually 4) curved lines or by trying to use it at home before you go. At the end of the day, the system tallies up all the journeys you made and applies the cheapest fare for the whole day. If you're going for a longer time, it also has a weekly cap. You'll each need a separate device (either card or phone set up for Apple/Google Pay).
Yes, that's all correct. Each person needs their own method of payment. Apple or Google Pay, or a chip credit card or ATM/debit card. Usually Visa and Mastercard cards are the most frequently accepted, and look for the 3 curved lines that signify tap to pay enabled.. Tap in on any bus or Underground turnstile. Tap out on Underground exits (not buses). As long as you use the same method of payment, the daily cap will apply.
There are still a few good reasons to use an Oyster Card, but they may not apply to you.
1. You already have an Oyster Card
2. You feel uncomfortable having your phone or credit card out to go through the turnstile.
3. You have a rail card that will also give discounts to registered oyster cards.
4. You have a large party and Oyster Cards eliminate the need for multiple credit cards.
My preference is always to go to the source with questions like this - not "Rick" or another travel guide or blogger. Things change!
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/ways-to-pay/pay-as-you-go
TFL tap and go has been around for since 2012 and 2014 - bus and later Tube and TFL rail.
Many of us prefer using credit cards (or Apple or Google Pay) instead of Oysters. Others on this board prefer Oysters. You can use the search function and find some of the discussions. Basically, some prefer Oyster - if lost, less important than the credit card. I prefer credit card - no need to constantly monitor the Oyster for cash balance and re-load. I have used ApplePay on my phone before the chip cards were common in the US - I find it awkward, but others have no problem. I've never had an Apple Watch - some like that for ease. Edit - the above post snuck in before I posted - good summary of on-going CC vs Oyster - consider it personal preference - valid arguments on both sides.
Depending on age, your grandchild may be eligible for discounted fares: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel
Added observation - the contactless are becoming more and widespread across the world. I personally love it - I have a drawer full of transit cards from various cities that I can now discard and forget about packing!!!
The bit which Rick missed out the other night on MNT is that the weekly cap on contactless or Oyster only applies to a fixed Monday to Sunday period, not to any 7 days.
Also that you can't benefit from two for one deals at London attractions by using contactless or Oyster payments.
On past posts people have gotten confused about the card they can use. My husband and I each have a card for the same credit account. You don’t each have to have a separate ‘credit card account’ just each have a card that you tap in then tap out.
