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Are you planning to study in London? If so, you have probably heard about the Oyster Card, a must-have for navigating the city’s transport system. Whether you are catching a bus, riding the Tube, or hopping on the DLR, this card makes getting around easy and affordable. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about getting, using, and topping up your Oyster Card, along with some handy tips for students to save on travel costs.
What Is An Oyster Card?
The Oyster Card is a contactless smart card that makes travelling around London quick, easy, and affordable. Whether you hop on the Tube, buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, or even some river buses and cable cars, it’s your all-in-one ticket. Simply load it with credit, Travelcards, or season tickets, and touch in and out at yellow card readers (no need to touch out on buses and trams). The card automatically calculates your fare, applying daily caps so you never pay more than a set amount per day.
Types of Oyster Cards:
| Type of Oyster Card | Who It’s For | Key Features |
| Standard Oyster Card | Residents and visitors | Can be bought and topped up in London; usable across public transport modes. |
| Visitor Oyster Card | Tourists | Available online for pre-arrival delivery; includes travel discounts. |
| Student Oyster Card | University students in London | 18+ Student Oyster photocard; requires TfL-registered institution. |
| Zip Oyster Card | Children aged 11–15 | Offers free/discounted travel on London transport; contactless smart card. |
Understanding Student Oyster Cards
The 18+ Student Oyster photocard offers discounted travel for students aged 18 and over who live in a London borough during term time and are enrolled in a full-time course at a Tfl-registered institution. It provides 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. You can combine it with a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard for an additional 1/3 off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares on the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and most National Rail services in London.
Eligibility:
- Aged 18 or over
- Enrolled in a full-time course with at least 15 tuition hours per week, or meet other specific criteria
- Live in a London borough during term time.
How to Apply?
- Apply online through the TfL website after enrollment at your institution
- Pay a £20 administration fee
This card is ideal for students who travel regularly. It offers significant savings on commuting costs across London’s transport network.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An Oyster Card?
Using an Oyster card offers several advantages that make travelling on London’s transport system more convenient and affordable:
- Cost Savings: Oyster cards are significantly cheaper than paper tickets for individual journeys, especially if you travel frequently. They offer discounted fares on buses, the Tube, DLR, London Overground, and more.
- Daily & Weekly Caps: Once you spend a certain amount in a day or week, Oyster cards automatically apply a cap, ensuring you never pay more than a set amount. This makes it easier to budget for travel.
- Convenience: Forget the hassle of purchasing a ticket each time you travel. Simply top up your Oyster card and use it across various transport services, all with a simple tap in and out.
- No Expiry of Credit: The credit you load onto your Oyster card never expires, so you can keep it for future visits or top up as needed without worrying about losing value.
- Travel Flexibility: Oyster cards can be used on various transport options in London, including buses, trams, trains, and river buses, providing flexibility to get around easily.
How Do You Top Up Your Oyster Card?
Topping up your Oyster card is quick and easy, with several convenient options. Whether you prefer doing it online, at a station, or using the Auto Top-up feature, you can always ensure your card is ready for travel around London. Here’s how you can add credit to your Oyster card.
- Online: Create an account on the TfL website or use the TfL app to top up, then tap your card at a yellow reader to collect credit.
- Ticket Machines: Add credit or buy Travelcards at touchscreen machines at Tube, DLR, London Overground, and many National Rail stations.
- Oyster Ticket Stops: Top up with cash or card at 4,000+ participating shops across London.
- Visitor Centres/Station Ticket Offices: To top up your card, visit these locations.
- Auto Top-up: Set up Auto Top-up to automatically add credit when your balance drops below £20.
How Much Does An Oyster Card Cost?
An Oyster card costs minimal, with a one-time payment for the card itself. However, the real cost comes from the pay-as-you-go credit you load onto the card, as well as any Travelcards or season tickets you choose.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with getting and using an Oyster card.
- Standard Oyster Card: £7 activation fee (non-refundable).
- Visitor Oyster Card: £7 activation fee (non-refundable), plus postage if ordered online. You can pre-load it with credit in amounts from £10 to £50.
Pay As You Go Single Fares
| Zones | Off-Peak Fare (Oyster card) | Peak Fare (Oyster card) | Single Fare (Cash) |
| Zone 1 | £2.80 | £2.90 | £7.00 |
| Zone 1–2 | £2.90 | £3.50 | £7.00 |
| Zone 1–3 | £3.10 | £3.80 | £7.00 |
| Zone 1–4 | £3.40 | £4.60 | £7.00 |
| Zone 1–5 | £3.60 | £5.20 | £7.00 |
| Zone 1–6 | £3.80 | £5.80 | £7.00 |
Peak times: Monday–Friday, 6:30–9:30 am and 4:00–7:00 pm.
Off-peak: All other times, including weekends and public holidays
Note: Tapping In and Out, To avoid being overcharged, you must tap your Oyster card both at the start (tap in) and end (tap out) of your journey. If you forget to tap out, you may be charged the maximum fare for that journey, which could be much higher.
Bus and Tram Fares
- Single fare: £1.75 (no cash accepted on buses).
- Daily cap (maximum you’ll pay in a day): £5.25.
Daily Price Caps (maximum daily spend)
| Zones | Daily Cap |
| Zone 1–2 | £8.90 |
| Zone 1–3 | £10.50 |
| Zone 1–4 | £12.80 |
| Zone 1–5 | £15.30 |
| Zone 1–6 | £16.30 |
How To Check Your Oyster Card Balance?
- Online: Sign in to your TfL account at tfl.gov.uk and view your balance and journey history under “My Oyster Cards.
- Oyster Ticket Machines: Tap your card at any Underground ticket machine to see your balance on the screen.
- Oyster Ticket Stops or Visitor Centres: Simply show your card, and they will check your balance.
- Exiting the Tube: Your balance appears on the screen at the ticket gates after you touch out.
Oyster Card Refunds And Cancellations
Transport for London (TfL) offers several ways to get a refund on your Oyster card, depending on your card type, remaining balance, and how you apply.
Refund Eligibility
- Up to £10 of remaining credit can be immediately refunded at Tube station ticket machines.
- If your credit is over £10 or you have a season ticket, you can apply online, by phone, or by post.
- Cards issued before Feb 2020 are eligible for a £5 refundable deposit.
- Cards bought after Sept 4, 2022, cost £7 with no refundable deposit.
How to Request a Refund?
- Ticket Machine: For balances of £10 or less—tap your card, select “Oyster refund,” and collect cash. The card is cancelled.
- Online: Log into your TfL Oyster account to request a refund to your bank.
- Phone: Call TfL at 0343 222 1234 (UK) or +44 343 222 1234 (abroad).
Difference Between Oyster Cards And Contactless Payment Cards
If you didn’t know already, you can travel around London using not just an Oyster card, but also a contactless payment card. Just tap in and out at the ticket barriers, and the fare will be automatically deducted without any PIN.
While both Oyster and contactless cards offer the same fare capping and convenience, the key difference is that Oyster cards are topped up manually. In contrast, contactless cards charge your bank account directly.
Oyster Card Travel Tips for Students
Travelling around London as a student can be much easier and cheaper when you know how to make the most of your Oyster card. Here are some handy tips to save time and money:
- Apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard
If you are studying in London, apply for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard. It gives you 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes, making daily commuting significantly more affordable.
- Use Pay-As-You-Go for Flexibility
If you don’t travel every day, using pay-as-you-go credit is better than a Travelcard. It caps your daily fare, so you won’t pay more than the maximum for that day.
- Travel Off-Peak When Possible
To get cheaper fares, avoid travelling during peak hours (Monday–Friday, 6:30–9:30 AM and 4–7 PM). Instead, plan classes or activities around off-peak travel for the best value.
- Always Tap In and Out
Remember to tap your card at the start and end of each journey. Missing a tap can result in a higher fare being charged, or even a penalty.
- Register Your Card Online
Create an online TfL Oyster account to track your spending, top up remotely, or request refunds in case of overcharges or delays.
- Avoid Card Clash
When tapping in and out, keep your Oyster card separate from contactless cards. Having two cards close together may result in the wrong card being charged.
- Look Out for Student Discounts
Some London attractions and shops offer discounts when you show your Oyster photocard, so keep it handy even when you are not commuting!
Whether you are commuting daily to classes or exploring the city during your downtime, an Oyster card is your gateway to affordable and convenient travel across London. By applying for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, you can unlock major discounts, saving you money on transport while enjoying the flexibility of pay-as-you-go credit. Don’t forget to use the handy tips for students to maximise your savings and make the most of your time in this bustling city.
If you are looking for student accommodation in London that’s well-connected by public transport, UniAcco can help! Browse verified properties near top universities and major transit routes. Book your student home with UniAcco today and enjoy a hassle-free commute every day.
FAQs
Q. How to use an Oyster card?
Ans: To use an Oyster card, simply touch it on the yellow card reader at the start of your journey and again at the end to register your entry and exit. The system will automatically deduct the appropriate fare based on your journey.
Q. How much does an Oyster card cost?
Ans: An Oyster card costs £7 for activation, which is non-refundable. You then add pay-as-you-go credit to use for travel. The same £7 fee applies to both standard Oyster cards and Visitor Oyster cards.
Q. How to get an Oyster card?
Ans: You can get an Oyster card online before arriving in London or buy one upon arrival at airports, Tube stations, TfL Visitor Centres, and many newsagents. Visitor Oyster cards must be ordered online in advance, while standard Oyster cards are widely available across London.
Q. Who is eligible to get an Oyster card?
Ans: Anyone can get a standard or Visitor Oyster card to travel in London. Specific Oyster photocards, such as Zip, 16+, and 60+ cards, offer discounts for children, students, and seniors.
Q. Do Oyster cards expire?
Ans: Oyster cards do not expire and can be used again at any time. The pay-as-you-go credit on both standard and Visitor Oyster cards never expires, so you can keep your card for future visits or lend it to others.
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