On our first several trips to London, we bought single-trip or return (round-trip) tickets every time we rode the London Underground (or Tube). These paper tickets got us from point A to point B (and back). It wasn’t until 2013 that we decided it would be worthwhile to purchase Oyster cards. At the time, this felt like a game-changer. We could just tap in and out at the turnstile, no more fumbling for tickets. Plus, the Oyster card worked not just for the Tube but also for buses, trams, the DLR, London Overground, TFL Rail, most National Rail services, and even the Thames Clipper River Bus.
Just as we patted ourselves on the back for adapting to the latest transit tech, things changed again. By our next visit, Oyster cards were already becoming outdated. Londoners had largely moved on to using contactless credit cards or mobile wallets instead.
Why You Should Stop Buying Paper Tickets
No matter how you pay—whether with an Oyster card, contactless credit card, or mobile payment—you’ll save money compared to buying single-use paper tickets. Transport for London (TfL) has a complex fare structure based on zones and travel times, and while you can purchase Travelcards for unlimited rides, do you really want to predict how much you’ll be using public transport in advance? What if your plans change?
Instead, you can just tap in and out with an Oyster card, a contactless payment card, or a mobile wallet, and TfL will automatically calculate the best fare for you, including any daily or weekly caps. This makes a big difference depending on how much—or how little—you use public transport during your trip. Just remember: the weekly cap runs from Monday to Sunday, so if you’re staying for a long weekend, you won’t hit that maximum savings threshold.
Mobile Payments: The Best Option?
For our own experiment, Sharon insisted on sticking with her trusty Oyster card, while I opted for Apple Pay linked to my Sapphire Reserve card.
Many devices work with the London Underground, including:
If you’re using an iPhone or Apple Watch, enabling the Express Transit feature allows you to tap on and off without unlocking your device, making it even more convenient.
The Downside of Oyster Cards
Sharon learned the hard way why Oyster cards can be a hassle. If you accidentally drop your card after passing through the turnstile, you have to track down a London Underground employee and hope they take pity on you. (Note from Sharon: Hey, it worked, did it not? He let me through for free. I perfected that “I am a helpless tourist in a foreign land” look in Japan in 1993 and it’s served me well. Don’t be a hater just cuz you can’t do it, too LOLOL!)
The Bottom Line
Before you head to the ticket machine to load your Oyster card—or worse, buy a single-use ticket—consider using a contactless credit card or mobile payment instead. You’ll save time, money, and avoid the headache of losing a tiny plastic card. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
Cover Photo © Oxyman (cc-by-sa/2.0)
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