Visitor Oyster Card - the London travel pass

• The Visitor Oyster Card comes pre-loaded with £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50 credit. Once your credit runs out, you can easily top up with any amount (in multiples of £10) at over 3,000 outlets around London.
• The Oyster Card incurs a £3 activation fee which will show in your shopping basket. 
• Children aged 10 years and under can travel free at any time on buses, trams, the tube and Dockland Light Railway, as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket/Visitor Oyster Card. Ask a member of staff to let your child through the gate.
• Children 11 years and over need to purchase a standard card. There are no child versions of the Visitor Oyster Card.

• PLEASE ALLOW 7-10 WORKING DAYS FOR OVERSEAS DELIVERY AND 2-4 WORKING DAYS FOR DELIVERY WITHIN THE UK.
• Please note we cannot currently deliver Visitor Oyster Cards to Brazil or Russia.

London tube network map showing zones

With a Visitor Oyster Card, you can travel on all London tube trains, buses and trams, as well as the Docklands Light Railway and many regular train services within the city.

The card works like a pay-as-you-go mobile phone - you top up with credit and when that runs out, you simply top up some more. However, once you reach the price of a day travel card, no more credit will be deducted from your card for the rest of the day no matter how many journeys you make.

There are many benefits to Oyster cards:

• Fast - they save you time. No more queuing for tickets, as you pay in advance.
• Smart - Oyster will automatically calculate the cheapest fare for the journeys you make in a single day.
• Easy - your card is reusable and the credit never expires.
• Cost effective - a single tube journey will cost £4 with cash but a maximum of £2 with an Oyster card.

London tube network map showing zones

Does my Visitor Oyster Card expire?
No, your Oyster Card and any balance on it do not expire. If you have any money left on your Oyster Card then you can use this on your next trip.

What is the difference between the Visitor Oyster Card and a London Travelcard?
The Visitor Oyster Card is a 'smartcard' storing credit to pay for journeys. It is valid across all travel zones and automatically calculates the cheapest fare for all the journeys you make in a single day.
Travelcards are paper tickets available for 1 or 7 days of travel in London, and in various combinations of travel zones

Where can you use the Visitor Oyster Card?
Oyster Cards can be used on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and National Rail (Excluding Heathrow Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow, on Heathrow Express and on Southeastern High speed services between St Pancras International and Stratford International)

Can I use the Visitor Oyster Card as soon as I buy it?
Yes, once you have received your Oyster Card it is ready to use.

Are there any time restrictions when using the Visitor Oyster Card?
You can use the Visitor Oyster Card at any time. Please note that prices vary depending on what time you travel. Travelling during rush hour tend to cost a little bit more than travelling off-peak. Rush hour is Monday to Friday between 06.30 to 09.30 and 16.00 to 19.00. Off peak is all other times including public holidays.

Do I need to provide a passport photo to buy a Visitor Oyster Card?
If you purchase a Visitor Oyster Card from our website, you do not need to provide a passport photo.

Can I top up my Visitor Oyster Card through the VisitBritain Online Shop?
At present you cannot top up your Oyster Card through the VisitBritain Online Shop, however, you can top up your Oyster card at Tube stations, at almost 4000 Oyster Ticket Stops throughout London, and at London Travel Information Centres.

Is the Visitor Oyster Card valid from Heathrow?
Yes, Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6 and you can use your Oyster Card on the Tube (by taking the Piccadilly Line) into central London

I bought a Visitor Oyster Card a couple of years ago, can I still use this when I come to London?
Yes, this will still be valid for you to use - You can top this up when you get to London at one of almost 4000 Oyster Ticket Stops throughout London. You can also top your Oyster Card up at ticket machines and ticket offices at Tube and London Overground stations.

We are a family of 6. Can we all use the same Visitor Oyster Card?
No, each person must have their own Oyster Card to swipe in and out with.

Can I register my Visitor Oyster Card against loss or theft?
It is not possible to register a Visitor oyster card

Can I use my Visitor Oyster Card on the Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted Express?
You cannot use your Oyster Card on the Airport Express Trains but you can purchase tickets for them from our website

How do I get a refund on the remaining balance left on my Visitor Oyster Card?
You will need to return your card to Transport for London at the below address:
Oyster Ticketing and Refunds
55 Broadway
London
SW1H 0BD
The card will be cancelled and you will be sent a refund by Sterling cheque.

Can I purchase a Visitor Oyster Card at Heathrow Airport?
Yes, you can purchase the Oyster Card/Travelcard at any of the three London Underground train stations located at Heathrow Airport.

How long is the underground journey from Heathrow Airport to the centre of London?
The journey time from Heathrow Airport into central London takes around 45 – 50 minutes.

Can I purchase a Visitor Oyster Card at Gatwick Airport?
No, Gatwick Airport is not connected to London by Underground. The Gatwick Express is the fastest rail link between the airport and central London. You can buy tickets here

Can I purchase a Visitor Oyster Card at Stansted Airport?
No, Stansted Airport is not connected to London by Underground. However, you can take the Stansted Express which is the quickest way into London from the airport. You can get your Standsted Express tickets from our website