Can we buy our Oyster card to already have in hand when we arrive in London? We fly out April 7th. It would be great to already have it and not have to deal with that at the airport. If it’s possible, what site is the best to purchase it through??
Posted by
California
52 posts
I don’t believe you can buy one online from the US. It didn’t seem like much of a hassle to get one in England. Once you have the cards you can top them up online, but again, it is pretty easy to do at the stations.
Posted by
Freedonia
14945 posts
You can buy a Visitor Oyster Card before going to London but it will cost you extra in postage.
https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card
You cannot top it off online unless you have an account with a UK address.
Remember, every person in your party must have their own Oyster Card except for kids who travel free.
If you have a contactless credit card, you can use that instead of an Oyster card.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, WA
362 posts
A related question - how much would it cost from LHR to 153 Hammersmith Road? Trying to figure out how much we should start with on our visitors Oyster card. We will be in London 4 days and will be heading to Tottenham one of them.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
£2.80/£1.50 depending on time.
Posted by
Freedonia
14945 posts
London's public transportation system is made up of zones. Hammersmith is in Zone 2. Most sights are in zone 1.
The prices quoted above are peak and non peak times:
Peak fares - Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) between 06:30 and 09:30, and between 16:00 and 19:00
Off-peak fares - at all other times and if you travel from a station outside Zone 1 to a station in Zone 1 between 16:00 and 19:00, Monday to Friday
Please don't shorten the names of destinations because it will confuse people. When you say Tottenham do you mean Tottenham Court Road station? Tottenham stadium?
May I suggest you look at this website as it will answer many of your questions about Oyster Cards including daily capping.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1069 posts
Visitor oyster cards are a more restrictive product than the normal ones, plus you have to pay for postage to have it sent to you and you can't add a travelcard to it.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8423 posts
Its not a hassle to buy regular Oyster cards at the tube station at the airport, from a vending machine or a human clerk. You have to go there anyway to catch the train.
We started out with 25£ on them, estimating 6£ per day, and topped off when needed. Easy.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8345 posts
It took less than 1 minute to buy my Oyster card from the machine. I had watched a few you tube videos on how to buy an Oyster card in advance and it was extremely easy.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, WA
362 posts
Sorry, Frank! Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium - 782 High Rd, Tottenham, London N17 0BX, United Kingdom
I should know better! Here at home the absence of St., Ave., Court, etc. could put you 10 -15 miles away on the complete opposite site of town 🤪
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, WA
362 posts
Carol and Stan - thank you!!!
Posted by
Moncton NB
1028 posts
I was going to help you until I saw you were heading for Spurs (Gunners forever!).
JK. The Visitor Oyster Card is really not worth it. Its easier and cheaper to get one at the ticket machine at the Tube station at Heathrow, and you can load it with as much money as you think you'll need. Round down, knowing its a lot easier to add money later than get a refund.
Posted by
Chicago
1323 posts
Buying an Oyster card from the machine is as easy as buying a soda from a vending machine. No need to get one in advance and deal with international shipping.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, WA
362 posts
Awesome! Thanks everyone! We will wait!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I agree that buying an Oyster at Heathrow is easy. There are uniformed helpers who will assist you in using the machines, if you have any problems. Just know what you want, and they'll get you "sorted" (favorite UK word). The machines take cash and cards.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6508 posts
Ditto what others have said, get them when you get there. The machine is easy to use and only takes a few minutes per card. You cap out at £7 a day, so for 4 days the most you’d need is £28 per card.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1802 posts
You can also pay using a contactless credit card or smartphone. Some details in the link
Posted by
183 posts
If I recall correctly you can buy a zone 1-2 card at Heathrow with a supplement for the additional fare in from Heathrow. The attendants at the Heathrow tube station are awesome and very helpful. Easy Peasy!