How to Get Around London — Oyster, Contactless and the Tube
11 November 2026 · GoFlyLo Blog
London's transport looks confusing at first — the Tube, the buses, the zones, Oyster cards and contactless payment. But once you know how to pay and how the zones work, it is one of the easiest systems in the world. This guide explains it in simple English — the Tube, Oyster vs contactless, and bus fares — so you never pay more than you have to.
TL;DR — The Short Version
Best way to pay: a contactless bank card or your phone — tap in, tap out, no ticket needed.
Oyster card: the same fares, but you must buy the card first — best for children and for a 7-day Travelcard.
Daily cap: you never pay more than the daily limit, however many trips you take.
Tube: the fastest way across the city — most sights are in Zones 1–2.
Bus: the cheapest way to sightsee — one flat fare, and the top deck is a free tour.
Tip: walk in central London — many sights are 10 minutes apart on foot.
The Tube — How It Works
The Tube is the fastest way to cross London. Trains run every 2–5 minutes in the centre, and most of what you want to see — Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the Tower, Westminster, Covent Garden — is in Zones 1 and 2, the central zones. A Tube journey inside Zone 1 costs about £2.70–£2.80.
Always tap in and tap out on the yellow reader — if you forget to tap out, you will be charged the maximum fare.
Two tips that save you time. First, travel outside the morning rush (7:30–9:30 a.m.) if you can — the trains are packed then, and fares are higher in peak hours. Second,
step-free access is limited — many older stations have stairs and no lifts, so check the step-free map if you travel with a pram or heavy luggage. The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights, so you can get home late without a taxi.
Oyster vs Contactless — Which Is Cheaper?
For most visitors, contactless is the winner — because there is nothing to buy. If your bank card or phone has contactless payment, just tap it on the yellow reader.
You pay the same fares as an Oyster card, and the same daily cap applies: once your trips reach the daily limit (about £8 for Zones 1–2), the rest of the day is free.
An Oyster card is worth it in two cases. First, if your bank charges foreign transaction fees, an Oyster card avoids them: load it once, and your trips are paid from the balance. An Oyster card costs £7. Second,
if you stay a full week, a 7-day Travelcard on an Oyster can be cheaper than paying day by day.
Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult, and ages 11–15 get child fares with a Zip Oyster photocard.
Never buy a paper ticket: it costs far more than the same journey on Oyster or contactless.
Buses, Walking and a First Day — Step by Step
Buses are the cheapest way to sightsee in London. Every bus journey costs one flat fare of £1.75, however far you go — and the Hopper fare gives you unlimited bus and tram journeys for one hour after your first tap. Sit on the top deck at the front: the view from a London bus is a free sightseeing tour.
Good bus routes for visitors: the 24 and the 88 pass Westminster, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly.
Walking is free and often faster in the centre: Covent Garden to Leicester Square is 5 minutes on foot, and Trafalgar Square to Westminster is 10 — the Tube takes longer with the stairs and queues.
Step 1: Before you arrive, have a contactless card or phone payment ready, and download Citymapper — it shows the fastest route, the platform, and the fare.
Step 2: On your first day, take the Tube to the farthest sight in the morning, then walk back through the centre in the afternoon.
Step 3: stay near a Tube station in Zone 1 or 2 — read our guide to cheap hotels in London for the best areas.
Step 4: for a day trip, the train reaches Oxford, Bath, Cambridge or Brighton in 1–2 hours — read our Europe by train guide for how rail passes work. London's transport is simple once you know the rules — tap in, tap out, and walk the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Oyster card in London?
No — most visitors can use a contactless bank card or a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, paying the same fares and the same daily cap. An Oyster card is worth it if your bank charges foreign transaction fees, or if you want a 7-day Travelcard.
How much is a single Tube journey in London?
A journey inside Zone 1 costs about £2.70–£2.80, and the daily cap for Zones 1–2 is about £8. Bus journeys cost a flat £1.75 each.
Can I pay with my phone on the Tube?
Yes — Apple Pay and Google Pay work on every Tube gate, bus and train in London. Just hold your phone near the yellow reader, and keep it charged: a dead phone cannot tap out, and you may be charged the maximum fare.
Is the Tube open all night?
The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on five lines. On other nights, the last trains leave central London around midnight, and night buses run all night.
Related Guides
London Travel Guide · How to Find Cheap Hotels in London · London on a Budget — Free Things to Do · How to Use Public Transport in Europe
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