London Public Transport, Tickets, Passes, Prices

Everyday travel in London centers on two core systems: the Underground (Tube) and the bus network, including the iconic red double-deckers. Together, they connect nearly all major sights and central districts.

Airport connections rely primarily on the Elizabeth line serving Heathrow Airport, the Docklands Light Railway connecting London City Airport, and National Rail services for Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports.

Rail-based services operate roughly from 5:00 am until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, selected lines run as part of the Night Tube. Buses operate 24 hours a day, with night routes clearly marked.

Underground trains run every 2–5 minutes during peak hours and every 5–10 minutes off-peak. Buses operate every 5–10 minutes on major routes during the day, with slightly longer intervals at night.

Tickets & prices

London operates on a zone-based fare system. The city is divided into Zones 1 to 9, arranged in concentric circles around the center. Fares depend on how many zones you travel through and the time of day. Higher peak fares apply on weekday mornings and late afternoons, while off-peak fares apply at other times and on weekends.

In most cases, you do not need paper tickets. You either use pay-as-you-go with a contactless bank card or mobile payment, or with an Oyster card, which is a rechargeable transport card issued by Transport for London. Both methods automatically calculate the correct fare and apply daily or weekly fare caps.

The ticket examples and prices shown below focus on Zones 1 and 2, as these cover nearly all central attractions and typical visitor routes. Prices shown in parentheses refer to reduced fares for children aged 11–15.

Good to know: Children under 11 travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Fare capping & Travelcards – the most convenient option

If you use public transport several times per day, pay-as-you-go with fare capping is usually the most practical solution.

Pay-as-you-go with daily cap

You tap in at the start of your journey and tap out at the end. The daily cap applies from 4:30 am to 4:29 am the following day. Once you reach the cap, additional rides that day are free.

Weekly cap (contactless only)

If you use the same contactless card or device from Monday to Sunday, the system automatically limits your total spending to the weekly cap. Oyster cards do not offer automatic weekly capping.

Fixed-price Travelcards as an alternative

If you prefer to pay upfront instead of relying on automatic fare capping, you can choose a Travelcard with unlimited travel. The Day and 7-day Travelcards are issued as a paper ticket or loaded onto an Oyster card. The Group Day Travelcard is available as a paper ticket only.

Day Travelcard

• Available in two versions, Anytime and Off-Peak.
• Anytime: Valid all day from 4:30 am on the date shown until 4:29 am the following day
• Off-Peak: Valid from 9:30 am Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays, until 4:29 am the following day

7-day Travelcard

• Not divided into Anytime and Off-Peak versions.
• Valid for unlimited travel at all times on seven consecutive days

Group Day Travelcard

If you are traveling as a group of 10 or more fare-paying people and remain together during your journeys, each person can purchase a Group Day Travelcard at a reduced rate. The group must stay together at all times.

• Off-Peak only
• Valid from 9:30 am Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays, until 4:29 am the following day

Standard local fares – pay per ride

If you only use public transport occasionally, pay-as-you-go is usually the most practical option.

Bus & tram – Hopper fare

• Flat fare per ride with unlimited transfers within one hour
• No peak or off-peak hours apply

Transfers from London Airports to the City Center

London is served by five major airports, all connected to the city by public transport. For detailed information on transfers from these airports to central London, please refer to our separate guide Public Transport from London Airports to Central London.

Where to buy tickets & how to use the system

Paper tickets and Oyster cards can be purchased from ticket machines at Underground and National Rail stations, as well as from staffed ticket offices and selected convenience shops. Bus stops do not have ticket machines, and buses do not sell tickets on board.

The Oyster card costs: £7.00 – €8.10 – $8.90* This is a non-refundable card fee. You must add credit before travel. If you use contactless payment, you do not need to buy a ticket in advance. Simply use your contactless debit or credit card, or a mobile wallet, directly at the yellow readers.

On Underground, rail, DLR, Overground, and Elizabeth line services, you must tap in at the start and tap out at the end of your journey. On buses and trams, you only tap in when boarding. Always tap correctly. Missing a tap can result in being charged the maximum fare.

Local tips

1. See London from the top deck

For a scenic and inexpensive way to explore the city, take a classic red double-decker bus and sit on the upper deck. These are regular public bus routes, and the standard London bus fare applies. Several lines pass major landmarks without the price of a sightseeing tour. 

2. Ride the Thames like a local – River Bus

If you want a “moving viewpoint” of London, the River Bus is one of the most enjoyable ways to travel. You glide past landmarks, bridges, and riverfront neighborhoods while still using public transport. Oyster and contactless are accepted, but River Bus fares are separate from the standard daily fare cap.

• Single fare in the central river zone: £9.90 – €11.45 – $12.60*

3. A skyline shortcut – IFS Cloud Cable Car

For a quick, scenic Thames crossing with a true panoramic feel, take the IFS Cloud Cable Car between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. It is a fun add-on if you are near The O2 or exploring East London. Oyster and contactless are accepted, but pricing is separate from standard fares.

• One-way fare: £7.00 – €8.10 – $8.90*
• Round-trip pay-as-you-go fare: £14.00 – €16.20 – $17.80*
• Round-trip ticket (ticket office or online): £13.50 – €15.60 – $17.15*

*All Prices as of January 2026