Public transport, Oyster and railcards

Getting around the UK is easier than ever once you understand a few payment systems. Whether you are hopping on the Tube in London or catching the bus in Birmingham, this guide will help you pay the right fare and save money on train travel with railcards.

London: Contactless, Oyster and fare capping

In London, the simplest way to pay for public transport is with a contactless payment card or device. You can use your UK or international Visa, Mastercard or American Express debit or credit card, or a phone or smartwatch set up with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Oyster cards are also available, but contactless offers the same fares and is easier because there is no need to top up or buy a separate card.

How to use contactless in London

At every station or bus stop, you will see a yellow card reader. Tap your card or device when you enter the Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line or tram platform, and tap again when you exit. On buses and trams, you only tap once when you board. Always use the same card or device for all journeys in a day so the system can calculate your cap correctly. If you tap in with your phone and out with your physical card, the system will treat them as separate incomplete journeys and charge you the maximum fare.

Understanding zones and caps

London is divided into nine fare zones, with Zone 1 covering the city centre and higher numbers extending outward. Most visitors spend their time in Zones 1 and 2, where attractions like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Covent Garden are located. The fare you pay depends on which zones you travel through and the time of day. Peak fares apply Monday to Friday between 6.30am and 9.30am, and 4pm to 7pm, except on public holidays.

The crucial feature of contactless and Oyster is capping. Once your total daily fares reach a certain amount, you will not be charged for any further journeys that day. For example, the daily off-peak cap for Zones 1 to 2 is currently 8.90 pounds, while the peak cap is the same amount. Weekly caps run from Monday to Sunday, so if you travel regularly for five or more days, your spending is capped at the equivalent of a weekly Travelcard. For Zones 1 to 2, the Monday to Sunday cap is 44.70 pounds.

If you are travelling with children, note that under-11s travel free on all London transport and do not need a ticket. Children aged 11 to 15 need a Young Visitor discount applied to an Oyster card, which you can arrange in advance through the Transport for London website.

Railcards: Cut a third off train travel across Britain

Railcards are one of the best deals for anyone who travels by train in the UK. Most railcards cost 35 pounds for one year or 80 pounds for three years, and they give you one-third off most rail fares throughout England, Scotland and Wales. That means a single long-distance journey can often pay for the railcard. There are nine different types of railcard, each designed for different groups of people, so it is worth checking which one fits your situation.

Railcards by age

• 16-25 Railcard: Available to anyone aged 16 to 25, or mature students in full-time education. You can buy it up to the day before your 26th birthday and use it until it expires. The three-year option is 80 pounds and available until the day before your 24th birthday.
• 26-30 Railcard: For those aged 26 to 30. This is digital-only and costs 35 pounds per year. It gives one-third off most Off-Peak fares.
• Senior Railcard: Available from your 60th birthday. Costs 35 pounds for one year or 80 pounds for three years, offering one-third off Off-Peak rail fares.
• 16-17 Saver: For 16 and 17 year olds. Offers 50 per cent off Standard Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets, plus Season tickets. Costs 35 pounds per year.

Railcards for groups and families

• Family and Friends Railcard: Up to four adults get one-third off and up to four children aged 5 to 15 get 60 per cent off when travelling together. You do not have to be related, just travelling as a group. Costs 35 pounds per year.
• Two Together Railcard: For two named people travelling together. Both save one-third on Off-Peak fares. Costs 35 pounds per year and is ideal for couples or friends who travel frequently together.
• Network Railcard: Covers travel in South East England, including Greater London and counties as far as Exeter, Worcester and Kings Lynn. One-third off for you and up to three adults, plus 60 per cent off for up to four children. Costs 35 pounds and is useful if you live or travel regularly in that region.

Special railcards

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs just 20 pounds for one year or 54 pounds for three years and offers one-third off for the cardholder and one companion. It is available for people who meet specific eligibility criteria related to disabilities. The Veterans Railcard is available to UK Armed Forces veterans and offers one-third off most rail fares. Both require proof of eligibility when you apply.

Most railcards have a minimum fare restriction during peak times, typically around 12 pounds, so you cannot use the discount on very short peak-time journeys. However, there are no restrictions on Off-Peak travel, weekends or public holidays. You can buy railcards online from the official Railcard website, through train ticket booking apps, or at major railway station ticket offices. Digital railcards are stored on your smartphone, while plastic cards are posted to you. International students and visitors can buy railcards with no UK residency requirement, though you will need a valid passport or national ID to verify your age.

Buses and trams outside London

Outside London, bus services are run by different companies depending on the region, so payment methods and fares vary. Contactless payment is widely accepted on buses operated by major companies such as First Bus, Stagecoach and Arriva. You can tap your contactless card or device when you board to buy a single ticket. Some operators have introduced daily and weekly capping similar to London, meaning your fares are capped automatically if you make multiple journeys using the same card.

Many regional bus operators also offer mobile apps where you can buy tickets in advance, often at a small discount compared to paying the driver. Exact cash is sometimes accepted, but an increasing number of bus routes are moving to cashless payment only, so always check before you travel. Some areas offer local day or week passes that can be better value if you plan to make several journeys in a short period.

Tram systems exist in a few UK cities including Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. Most trams accept contactless payment and have ticket machines at stops. In Manchester, for example, the Metrolink tram system uses contactless with daily and weekly capping. Edinburgh Trams introduced a tap-on, tap-off system that works with Lothian Buses, so your daily and weekly fares are capped across both tram and bus travel. Always remember to tap or buy a ticket before you board, as revenue inspectors check tickets frequently and can issue penalty fares if you do not have a valid ticket.

Concessionary travel passes are available for older residents and people with disabilities in many local authority areas. If you hold a bus pass issued by an English council, you can use it for free travel on buses across England, typically after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends and on public holidays. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own concessionary travel schemes. These passes are not valid on the London Underground, but they work on London buses.