Using contactless on London Underground - cheaper than Oyster?

runningbuddy

Hi folks. My son is heading to London for Xmas. I haven't been in a few years but I do remember it was cheap to use contactless. Or would it be better to buy an Oyster card? He is only going for a few days anyway - thoughts? 😀

DoctorEdgeWild

I'm in London one weekend a month, I use my regular card, think there's a very small saving if you use Oyster but for semi regular visits, just tap on and off has been easiest for me. Plus the benefit of just needing to remember one card when you leave the house! Hope he has a great time.

EDIT: Here's some more info, forgot there might be a charge on his Irish card, I live over here now so didn't consider that!

Oyster Card vs Contactless: How to Pay for Public Transport in London - Finding the Universe

runningbuddy

Thanks so much DoctorEdge 😀

hynesie08

If he's got revolut, throw the money on that, convert and use that card, if there's a foreign transaction fee those charges can quick add up.

Effects

You can also use your phone. I usually use Revolut on my phone when I'm in London.

corcaigh07

Revolut was about a cent off the exchange rate of the day last time I was over. As close to 1:1 as you'll get.

Padraig Mor

Don't worry too much about the foreign transaction fees - TfL gather all the day's usage into one single charge at the end of the day, so only one fee per day.

Effects

Still, there's no point in paying a transaction fee, and bad exchange rate, when you don't have to.