Oyster Card vs Travel card

MJ download the CityMapper - London app. We used it everyday. You put in where you are, and where you want to go, and it tells you exactly how to get there in detail by walking, bus, underground, and every combination of those. It also gives you estimates of time, alternative routes, and knows when there are delays, traffic and construction issues. I don't like to use apps, and even I liked this.

We just got the regular everyday Oyster Card from a kiosk at the airport Underground station, and it was no hassle or need to buy in advance. You can add money to it at any time. At the end of trip, you can get a refund of unused balance from a kiosk at the airport. I dont think you can get a refund from the travel card.

Thank you Stan! Good to know about the refund. Didn’t know that.

Ae you likely to want to take advantage of the 2 for 1 offers on admission charges? If so you will need a Travel Card issued on paper from a National Rail station.

I don't know about the travel card, but daily expenses on the Oyster card are capped at a certain level. While I was in London in 2016, the cap level in the close-in zones where I was traveling seemed to be around 6.50 GBP.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/oyster/using-oyster/price-capping

Also, keep in mind, some journeys are much shorter (and more feasible) on foot, rather than going to the nearest tube stop, going down the stairs and catching the train to go a couple blocks. This is where CityMapper can help by telling you to walk to the destination rather than to the tube or bus stop.

If you want the refund for unused money and the issuance fee, it is very important to get the regular standard Oyster -- not the Visitor Oyster. The Visitor is non refundable. Neither expire, so you can let your funds sit until your next visit. If you purchase at the Tube station, it will be a regular Oyster. If you purchase in advance or from some of the shops that sell them along with souvenirs, it will be the Visitor Oyster. Choose wisely.

Depending on your travel plans while in London, you can add a travel card to your standard Oyster and maybe save some money over using either one separately. Someone with more in depth knowledge will have to provide those details.

And don't forget, each of you will need your own Oyster. They cannot be shared by people traveling together.

Walking is great, plenty to see and experience. However, learn how to jump on and off the buses as they provide a terrific way to quickly cover ground while also resting your feet. We have compared the two cards, but found the Oyster Card more then sufficient. We do encourage you to pre-purchase web admission to the major attractions in order to avoid spending time in lines. Within several attractions (Westminster Abby, Churchill War Room and Kensington Palace) we found the food in their cafes to be of good value, tasty and a convenient intermission amidst our visit. We also spoke with the servers and learned some inside tips which added to the enjoyment of our trip.
Happy Anniversary!

I've used a regular Oyster card for my 2 trips to London--7 years apart, returned a couple of weeks ago for a 5 day stay & was delighted to find out it still had 3 pounds or so on it. Tube stations have very helpful employees who will answer any questions and assist you in purchasing or topping up a card--I added 30 pounds to mine and used the tube and buses every day--with plenty of walking, 7-8 miles per day--for 5 days, came home with a small balance on it for next time. As the balance gets lower it will flash the amount on the display when you tap in/out at the tube stations.

The machines at Heathrow will refund the £5.00 charge for the Oyster card itself and up to £5 of unused fare in coins. You get to keep the depleted card. More than £5 requires dealing with a human.

Thank you everyone! Your feedback’s been indispensable. We’re looking forward to the jaunt.

London is a great walking city. We tend to spend 7-20 days there and mostly walk, or use buses. But we buy a 7-day paper Travelcard to take advantage of the 2-4-1 offers on major attractions. We group those visits to fall within the 7 days. The rest of the time we use Oyster cards with PAYG for our he bus rides.

Is it possible to purchase Oyster cards on line ahead of arrival? Or, is there any point in doing so? I just don't want to get there and have issues buying one. Probably overthinking.

bl53931

yes you can, and it is absolutely a bad idea.

If you buy online you get a Visitor's Oyster and have to pay for postage and you can't put a Travelcard on it, and you can't get your deposit back.

Buy it from a machine or a person when you arrive and you don't have any of those problems. You get your deposit (£5) if you cash it out at the end, or you can keep it, you can put anything you want (or don't want) to, or change your mind on a future trip, and you don't have to pay a premium.

bl53931 getting them ahead of time would be a bigger hassle than buying them once you get there. Just follow the signs all the way to the Underground station at the airport, and look for the vending machines. Of course you will need UK currency to pay for them. Or look for the human-occupied ticket window and buy there. Easy.