Oyster cards and account

Yes it will be. But in truth for a short visit there is no need to get an account. I've been travelling to London regularly for more years than I care to remember and I don't have an account.

Or indeed, these days you really don't need to get an Oyster card. You can just use a contactless card and will be charged the same as using an Oyster but without the one-off fee of £7 for the card.

Years ago TFL responded to my request by saying use its address to create an account. I never did because even with an account there’s little you could do, and as already stated, one isn’t needed.

I believe it is your US credit card that is a problem, or possibly your US address. But no worries; it is not necessary.

We have Oyster Cards that are around 10 years old and have never been attached to an account. It means we cannot add value online, but it is very easy to top them up at a machine.

The only advantage I know of for having an account is being able to connect an Oyster Card with other passes.

oh- I never even got to webpage that someone could enter data of any kind,
I thought it was because TFL was going to be sticklers about tourists and Visitor Oyster cards.

The TFL really does not care how you pay, just that you pay. As others have said, if you really want an Oyster card, wait until you land, go to the first machine, select that option, pay your 7 GBP for the card, try and figure out how much GBP you want on the card, and away you go. There is no need to set up an account, it really provides no value to the visitor, which is probably why the system really does not cater to non-residents.

Easier yet, when you land, simply walk up to the gates of the Underground, tap your credit card or pay with your phone (Apple or Google Pay), tap again when you leave at your destination, just like tapping an Oyster Card (In essence, your credit card is now your Oyster card). With Tap-to-pay, you get the same discounts and caps as the Oyster, you just do not worry about adding funds to the card and it costs you nothing. I have been tapping on the last several visits, it is a breeze.

I notice, from a prior thread, that you already have an Oyster Card, so you may as well use it.

In present day London you can buy and use an Oyster card or simply use a tap and go credit/debit card.

I’m old school and use an Oyster Card as I wouldn’t be too upset if I lost it. Loosing a credit card would be far more upsetting.

So here’s my suggestion. Upon arrival at LHR and after you get through immigration you’ll walk into the terminal. Look for the Underground sign. Head there. If memory serves there are Oyster Card Machines closeby. You can usually spot an Underground employee in a light blue shirt, dark blue vest and navy pants.

Someone correct me If I’ve got the colors wrong.

They are trained to guide people around the various train and underground stations. Suspect they’d show you where to purchase an Oyster card.

I still have a couple of cards. One I’ve kept as a memento. Why? Because it has a picture of William and Kate. Issued after their engagement.

2nd Oyster from 2022 trip. Still have £10 pounds on it. Will use it next trip.

In nearly 50 years of London travel and stays have never had an account.

Lastly, I like the various Oyster Card carriers you can buy. Mine depicts the 1865 Alice in Wonderland tea party. Believe I purchased it in the British Library gift shop.

THANK YOU ALL FOR your input!
I would rather use an Oyster card as I would hate to loose my credit card by accident.
Faye

Regarding the Oyster Account. I have one. I am US based. If I try to access my account while outside the UK, I can't. But once I'm in the UK, no problem. (It blocks non-UK IP addresses.)

I have an account because it lets me know how much I have left on my Oyster Card, add funds online, or if I should lose the card, get a new one with credit for the amount on my old card.

But it's not necessary. You can just buy an Oyster Card at any tube station. You can easily add funds at any station.

I prefer using the card over a credit card or phone even though I have used those in the past. Why? The station I use most now has big signs....Beware of phone and credit card grabbers. I'd rather lose my Oyster Card than the others.

One side note.....the Oyster Card is the same size as most hotel key cards. I keep both in the same back pocket. Often, I've pulled out the Oyster Card without looking and try to use it to open my hotel door. Doesn't work.

I am able to log in to my Oyster account from the US by turning on my VPN and setting my location to England. (Then set it back to the US when I'm finished. )