Oyster or contactless in London: what is the difference?
Both pay for the same journeys at the same pay as you go fares, and both apply daily capping. The difference is the card: an Oyster card is a travel card you top up, while contactless charges your own bank card or phone.
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How it works
You tap in and, on rail services, tap out, and the fare is worked out from where you travelled. Contactless adds weekly capping across Monday to Sunday, which an ordinary Oyster card does not have.
Commonly mixed up with
Paper travelcards, Oyster and contactless are often described as one system. They are three ways to pay, with different caps and different refund routes.
Oyster or contactless in London: what is the difference?
| Knowledge, London | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Both pay for the same journeys at the same pay as you go fares, and both apply daily capping. The difference is the card: an Oyster card is a travel card you top up, while contactless charges your own bank card or phone. |
| How it works | You tap in and, on rail services, tap out, and the fare is worked out from where you travelled. Contactless adds weekly capping across Monday to Sunday, which an ordinary Oyster card does not have. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Paper travelcards, Oyster and contactless are often described as one system. They are three ways to pay, with different caps and different refund routes. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is one cheaper?
- Single fares are the same, and contactless adds a weekly cap.
- Can I use a foreign bank card?
- Contactless cards issued outside the UK are accepted, and your bank sets any currency fee.
- Do I need to tap out?
- Tap out on rail, Underground and Elizabeth line journeys, but not on buses.
- Can two people share one card?
- Each traveller needs their own card, tapped separately.
- Where are fares published?
- Transport for London publishes every fare and cap.
Sources
More in this track
- How do you get from Heathrow to central London?
- How do you get from Gatwick to central London?
- How do London travel zones work?
- What is the Elizabeth line and when is it useful?
- Which areas do visitors stay in when they come to London?
- What is the weather like in London through the year?
- Can you get around London without a car?
- Which airports serve London and how do they differ?
- How do payment and tipping work in London?
- How accessible is London transport?
- Which day trips are reachable from London by train?
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