Visitor Oyster Card

I personally would never buy an Oyster Card in advance. Its just too easy to get one at Heathrow, at the ticket machines.

More importantly, I no longer use Oyster at all. Apple Pay, a credit card, or a debit card can all be tapped for fares. I've heard some Americans say some of their cards don't work, so you should check, but every Canadian card I've ever tried works perfectly.

Oh, and to answer your more specific question, yes, every individual needs their own card. Maybe for the kids, then, it does make sense to get an Oyster card. Only children under 5 travel free (unless you're a resident).

This is what the internet says about traveling with children 11 and under:

How to ride with children 11 and under
Accompanying adult's payment: The adult traveling with the child(ren) must have their own valid payment method, such as a contactless bank card or an Oyster card.
Use the wide gate: Instead of the smaller turnstiles, use the wider accessible gate at the station.
Tap for the adult: The accompanying adult taps their card at the gate to pay for their fare.
Walk through with the child: The child(ren) can then pass through the open gate with the adult.

I’m not sure post above is accurate about resident only. I suggest you go directly to the transport for London site for information.

https://tfl.gov.uk/

Everone needs their own card (payment method). You are correct that you cannot share. Reminder that Oyster cards are £7 each (going up to £10 soon, but I don’t know the details) and that is nonrefundable. You can get a refund for any remaining pay-as-you-go credit on the card, but not for the £7 card cost.

Even the TFL site seems to be recommending you use contactless. That said, some travelers like knowing that if they lose their card in the Tube they have not lost a credit card - just the Oyster card.

I have my debit card on my phone and use that for virtually every transaction I make in London.

The 12 year old gets Young Visitor Discount (50% off for up to 14 days) when travelling on an Oyster Card (buy the Oyster and ask any member of staff to set up the YVD). Those under 11 get free travel when travelling with a fare paying adult- https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/getting-around-london/best-ways-for-visitors-to-pay#on-this-page-3

Thanks! This is helpful. I think my husband and I could use our phones or cards for ease of usage. Sounds like I might just get two one for the 12 and one for my brother as that would be easier for him.

The purchase price for Oysters went up on 7 September 2025 to £10 from £7

We had an issue with my partner’s long-held oyster card a couple weeks ago. He wasn’t able to use to it to tap into a bus, and the driver told him the card was stopped. In the morning we called TFL, and they said it’s because it failed to top up. (It was tied to a US credit card that had been reissued with a new number.) New card would be £10 and that they recommended he tap in with a credit card or phone going forward.

Tap to pay is just so easy, it's almost always the way to go

Just for general info… if you have a senior rail pass or a disabled person rail pass, an Oyster Card is the way to go. You can register the card and have an agent help you connect it with rail pass to receive discounts on transport for London fares.

Also you can just top up an Oyster at any ticket machine, you do not have to set it up with a credit card on the app. Every Oyster reader tells you your balance when used, so it should not be a surprise when you run out of credit.