Can someone help with Oyster card purchase calculation?

Question

The Oystercard is the London travel pass for bus, tube and rail.

I plan to use the card as follows over 5 days during peak and off-peak hours:

1/2 day
2 full days
1 trip from the airport
1 trip to the airport

2 days right in the middle we'll be out of town so I didn't want to buy a 7day travelcard.

We'll be doing our own sightseeing vs. guided tours so we will be using the cards at least 3 or 4 times a day.

Since the daily cap is 6 British pounds ($12 USD) should I load it with 30 BP/$60, or a little less?

I know I can buy a daily card or cards when I get there, but I don't want the hassle of checking balances every day, adding value, keeping track of cards, etc. I can order the Oyster card now and have it before we get there. The main reason I want the card now is so I can have most things paid for in advance and not have to worry about our last-minute budget and scrambling for things upon arrival.

Thanks!

Answer 1

OK this is what I did. I just purchased 7 day pass. You can also buy a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 day pass.

When you buy the pass you need to consider within which zone you will be traveling. If it is downtown it is zone 1.

As for the airport, you will have to purchase special tickets to and from the airport.

check http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for the journey planner. this is a very useful website especially when you need to travel at night or you do not know how to get somewhere.

The transport system in London is amazing, when they are not on strike. But unfortunately the subway is on strike till Friday.

Enjoy London!!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Answer 2

It should be less than £30, but it does depend exactly when and where you are travelling.

Assuming the airport you are referring to is Heathrow, and assuming you travel in or through Central London, you will be capped at the zone 1-6 rate, which is £6.20 off-peak, £12.70 peak (applies 04.30-09.30 Monday-Friday). However the fare is actually only £3.50.

Once in London, and assuming your sightseeing is limited to central London, you will be charged at the zone 1-2 rate, which is only £4.60 off-peak (£6.10 peak).

But, if you only travel by bus (which is best for sightseeing) the daily cap is only £3.00 and there is no peak period applicable to buses.

So, if your travel to/from Heathrow is off-peak and you do all your sightseeing by buses then you might spend as little as £16. It may even be cheaper because bus fares are due to be reduced in Novemeber.

Note that it is very easy to 'top up' Oyster cards at any time, from any Underground Station and stores displaying the Oyster sign. But I think you are right not to bother getting your Oysters at Heathrow, because there can be long queues at the ticket office.

Answer 3

The daily cap for central London after 9:30 is £4.60, travel to Heathrow airport by underground is £3.50. £20 should be enough for what you want.
However, if you buy the Oyster here you can get the £3 deposit and any remaining cash back at the end of you last journey. I am not sure if that is possible if you buy it abroad.

Answer 4

payasyougo is better as you know how mcuh you're spending and can keep track, especially as it caps your spending and also you never spend more than a daily travelcard.

Where are you flying into? does it accept oyster?

Dont forget to touch in and out, even if there are no barriers!

It doesnt matter if you load it with too much as payasyougo do not have expiry and so you can re-use the card or save it for your next visit. Dont forget you can always re-top up your card if you need to very easily at most stations.

Answer 5

You also need to consider how you are traveling from/to the airport. You cannot normally use oystercards on overland trains eg from Gatwick , Stanstead etc (also they are beyond the London Transport limits)

Answer 6

Load it with £25 or so, when the balance nears zero you can top it up very easliy.
When you no longer need it you can also get a refund of the £3.00 deposit you pay to obtain a card.