Irish Bank Card on TFL

mikeybhoy

I am looking to plan a trip to London soon and will be using public transport. Can you use a BOI debit card on the tube/buses or should I just get an Oyster card. The reason I ask if I've tried to use contactless on other metros in Europe which accept contactless and couldn't and ended up having to buy paper tickets but in London that's not really option as its only Oyster and contactless.

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058325045/irish-bank-card-on-tfl

Yes you can.

mikeybhoy

Thanks

p_haugh

Bear in mind you'll be charged the foreign exchange rate fees by your bank. If you have a revolut card (or similar) that allows you to have GBP "stored" in your bank account, it will use that currency and avoid the exchange rate on each transaction. You'll still get the conversion fee for the initial amount that you move to that currency, but it would be much better value than the likes of AIB/BOI.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121437115#Comment_121437115

Is there a conversion charge with Revolut? I thought it was just a good exchange fee, so better than regular banks? And no set debit charge like most banks. Think aib charge 40c per transaction or something.

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121451481#Comment_121451481

Yes it's just the exchange fee (up to a certain limit depending on what plan you're on), but there may be an extra charge added on if the exchange is done over the weekend.

TheChizler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121451522#Comment_121451522

Which for a public transport charge will only be couple of pence, it's usually not worth worrying about.

RetroEncabulator

You can also use your phone or watch, if you set it up properly.

BowWow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121437115#Comment_121437115

Last time I was in London, I used both my Revolut and my AIB Debit Card on the tube (for identical fares at different times). The AIB transactions were slightly cheaper when debited back in Euro to my AIB account.

RetroEncabulator

AIB's conversion rates aren't too bad - the issue is more just that you get a pile of transaction fees on the bill at the end of the year / quarter.

There's no issue using any Visa or MasterCard with contactless, or Apple Pay / Google Pay on the TFL system.

Just make sure you activate Express Travel Card mode in Wallet on Apple or the equivalent on Google Pay.

iOS will often prompt you to when you're in a city with the service.