How to Use Public Transport in London Like a Local

Visiting London for the first time, then you're going to need to know how to use London's transport system. I will run through the basics, plus a few tips so you can be using the London transport system like a local.
Useful Websites:
Transport for London: tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Find out the latest fares: tfl.gov.uk/fares/
Railcard: www.railcard.co.uk/
The easiest way to buy a railcard is to buy online and use a digital railcard, it's super easy as it's an app on your phone. If the system refuses to accept your non-UK postcode then use this postcode EC1A 4HD.
Visitor Oyster Card London: www.visitbritainshop.com/worl...
00:00 Intro
00:19 Local Terminology
00:57 Modes of Transport in London
02:30 How to Pay for London Transport (Oyster Card or Contactless)
03:18 Visit London Oyster Card
03:38 How to Buy an Oyster Card
04:00 Should I Get PAYG or Weekly Travel Card
05:15 Continue How to Buy an Oyster Card
06:02 How to Find Out Your Oyster Balance
06:16 Save Money With a Railcard
06:52 Tube and National Rail Map Explained
08:00 How to Use Oyster Card and Contactless
09:20 Emergency Fares
09:53 Refund On the Oyster Card Deposit
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• 7 Non Touristy Things ...
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You can join me, Kat, for even more adventures on Kat’s Gone Global! Travelling to London or the UK? Maybe you're moving to the UK? Need up to date tips, ask questions or just get inspiration? Brought to you by a seasoned traveller and local. Making sure you're all set for your trip or move to the UK. Sprinkled in with a bit of travel content.
❤SUBSCRIBE❤ for new videos released each TUESDAY!
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[@tekpic04]

When adding money to the Oyster card, always print a receipt off in case there is a card malfunction or ticket inspection.

[@suburbia2050]

Errrr no. Complete waste of time. Ticket inspections just scan the oyster card.

[@SantomPh]

ticket inspectors have a reader of their own that can verify their usage. Receipts are for paranoid people.

[@tekpic04]

@@SantomPh Do you leave Waitrose without a receipt when you shopped there in you may need to exchange an item?

[@user-zzyachieve]

It is helpful for tourists ~ By the way, I found that I can get a discount on tickets with code on trainpal ~🎉

[@stephanielongin2761]

Thanks a lot for this video. One of my learners is moving to London for work and this is a very clear and helpful video for him.

[@jeremyjoli]

If you're visiting for only one day, DO NOT buy the one-day travelcard, use your contactless card. The one-day travelcard costs you way more than pay as you go cap!

[@Joshrowlands32]

What about if you’re going for 2 days, same thing? - Northerner first time going to London at 27 here lol

[@jeremyjoli]

@@Joshrowlands32 for 2 days you can just use your contactless card

[@MatteoR77]

@@jeremyjoli and for 5-6 days?

[@haidaralghareeb9967]

Hi Jeremy, i am coming with my wife for 6 days. And will make 3-5 tube trips daily. Basically we will rely heavily on the tube. Not sure if contactless is the best option here or Oyster. Can i do a heavy charge for Oyster that can be enough for a week time? Or still i use my contactless card for each trip i make? Please advise

[@dugehh1201]

Hi. Can i get by on the tube and trams buses etc with my contacless?

[@Century-sb3ql]

Oh my gawd I Love this! All the information I’ve been trying to search in one vide!

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Aw thank you!

[@expressdotpc]

FUN FACT : In London, we only call the Underground as Tube when referring to the stations. e.g. Where is the nearest Tube station? In everyday conversation, we call National rail and Underground as trains and do not differentiate. e.g. I need to take the train home. Those of us who live outside London refer to our National rail route by the operator's name. e.g. I need to take the 6' o clock Southern to Gatwick.

[@NoobMaster-or2jf]

you mean overground*

[@alexandrakollontai2047]

The 'tube' doesn't refer to the trains themselves. It's what Londoners call the network of lines that run in deep tunnels under the centre of London. The tube is part of the Underground. The sub-surface lines of the Underground, like the District, Circle and Metropolitan, are not traditionally called 'the tube', just Underground. We do distinguish between National Rail and the Overground.

[@user-zzyachieve]

Thank you for sharing! I'm going on a trip, too! By the way I found it possible to use code on trainpal to get a discount on the purchase of tickets, which saved my budget lol!

[@Modi878]

Thank you so much , very useful information!

[@kingston4313]

I’m going to London next month, by myself to see my cousin, so just prepping. This is helpful.

[@christelnielandt5117]

Superb !! Big thanks 🙏. Am excited to return to London, don’t recall how many years. Am visiting with my mum to attend Abba Voyage. It’s for my mum’s 80th B’day. Greetz from Belgium 🌻

[@TheArkamedBat]

Tube important thing: don't press the door open button as it (nearly) doesn't have any function. But on newest S7 Stock trains on Circle, District and Hammersmith&City lines,and on S8 Stock on Metropolitan line when doors are open more than 45 sec, doors shut to keep cool/heat but then if you want to open the door, then press that button. The doors will remain unlocked

[@nerdythirtysomething6812]

I'm travelling this December and this was very helpful, thank you!

[@ane22299]

me too 🥰

[@Abdullah_501]

How did it go any suggestions

[@code-on-Trip-app]

If you want to travel in the UK, you can apply for a railcard. British rail tickets are quite expensive, but there are activities recently, so you can save some.

[@emiliyailieva9094]

Very informative video ! Thanks a lot !

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheDivyaanair]

Super informative. Thank you

[@persiantech8274]

Brilliant! Bless you love✌️

[@jamesmallem1967]

Thank you very much for the video. very helpful!

[@ekardonsenior2894]

great video. thanks for all the demonstrations. i will be in london around this time tomorrow. i hope i can make full out of my journey with the tips you shared. great content, i hope you create more

[@user-zzyachieve]

I'm going on a trip, too! By the way I found it possible to use code on trainpal to get a discount on the purchase of tickets, which saved my budget lol! If anyone needs，I can share～

[@andrew1976williams]

A very helpful video. Thank you!

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ashleybraden1864]

Great clip, thank you!

[@colmflaherty3963]

Interesting its all new to me , I live in Ireland. But intend to go to London next year. Thanks.

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

If need any other information let me know. Hopefully you have a wonderful trip.

[@SweetFi]

Thank you next week I will come with family 👪

[@phkodial]

Very helpful video. Thanks so much!

[@ogzumhan8619]

Thanks for the useful informations 🙏

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Thank you!

[@ShoppingwithRina]

U deserve more subs ur very helpful

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

I appreciate that!

[@weimar10]

Thank you for the explanation

[@georgesanders9123]

Thanks, really useful info)

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BeautifulWorld-zx9nb]

Great information video 😊 Thank you

[@ge3877]

Thank you. Great video.

[@Wanyeee]

I’m always on the lookout for the best discounts and can share some great savings tips with you.

[@richvarela9636]

Very informative...I'm be there March 11th..

[@arvib2158]

This is awesome 👏👏

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Thank you.

[@tekpic04]

@10:19, the main reason for TFL to have this policy on Oyster card refund at the machine, is to stop stolen / lost cards being abused.

[@dominicstower5396]

Awesome video 😄💚

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Thank you!

[@Focusenglishschoollondon]

Very helpful!

[@fravolousfilm]

Happy women's day ❤️🤗 london is so beautiful

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Same to you! I can't wait until May when things open up more and London comes to life again. How's things going in Spain?

[@Eliot41319]

Videos like this are really helpful, thank you! However I'm neither from England nor am I an native speaker so I'm confused in more than one way😅 I'm staying in London for 10 days and I'm wondering if it's better to get the normal Oyster card to get the 7-day travel card option or to just get the visitor Oyster card and pay as I go? Also I don't know if any of you got an idea about that but my mother is disabled and I'm wondering if there's any kind of discount available or some kind of special ticket she could buy?

[@travellingwithcrowsfeet]

Thank you

[@TallysVids]

Just to add. You DO NOT need to have a phone signal to use Apple Pay. The technology inside the phone that provides the Apple Pay functionality, is not dependant on having phone service or wifi connection for it to work.

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

That's awesome to know. I should have looked into, I assumed it was similar to POS machines. Thank you :D

[@PerfactlyImperfact]

@@KatsGoneGlobal I agree what said here, no phone signal or internet access is needed

[@creativeexpletives]

Right, it’s called NFC (near field communication) and it’s basically the chip that makes communication on both ends.

[@aynamehd7455]

The santader bikes from tfl are also nice of one can deal with traffic

[@heidibeechuk9203]

Thank you for this very informative vlog. Do you have separate caps per day for busses and underground or do both uses count in the daily cap? I hope that makes sense. If I use bus twice and tube several times in the same day.

[@suburbia2050]

Buses, overground, underground and most national rail within the London transport zones (e.g thameslink) are all covered by the same single automatic daily cap rate. If you only use buses though the daily cap rate will be cheaper than if you mix it up with other modes. This is all done automatically if you use pay as you go on the oyster card or contactless payment. Note also buses allow multiple journeys within an hour and you will only be charged for a single ticket (this is because unlike trains you have to tap in each time you change buses so it would be a bit unfair if your one trip required you to get on say 3 different bus routes and then end up with 3 times the charges!

[@code-on-Trip-app]

There are discounts on the railway section recently. Remember to use it!

[@greatnation4328]

Thank you Kat for this vlog. So sad to know that refund on Oyster card unused balance is now modified. It is not a fair deal. What are the reasons?

[@xXMiKuXx21]

Hi there! I’m not sure if you’ll see and reply to this but I have an amazing chance to visit London for a concert this Friday. I got a cheap ticket through Ryanair but it takes me to the Stansted airport. The concert is at Alexandra Palace, but I’d love to spend the day taking the tube to somewhere central in London to see some simple sights for a few hours and then make it back out to the venue in the evening. Would you say the rail is the best bet for me? What would be the best station to try and get to from there? Thanks for your help and for the informative video :)

[@AnyssaManuela]

Helpful

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

Thanks for the info❤BTW we can get a 5% off on train tickets now!

[@PhilbrookHandcrafted]

Thanks for the very informative video. Do you go to a ticketing booth to et a rail pass added to your oyster card? Is there an easier way?

[@raghuchetana5688]

Good information

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

Agreed!Considering how to save on train tickets is really important.

[@shoshinsamurai7901]

Thanks for the video. If you get a one week pass oyzter card, does that mean you can use it unlimited for a week?

[@hannadyelbast8754]

Hi! I'll be staying for about 34 days, and I'll be going to an university everyday from the london fields overground to mile end! Do you recommend the oyster for a month?

[@Desamar444]

Hello!!! Which ticket you suggest me to take for 4 days? I 'll come in a few days in London and I can't decide. Buy an oyster or a daily card? I ll stay in Kensington but in the center I 'll use the buses. The one day ticket I can use it in all transports and do you know the cost?

[@marczoller9505]

Boss Video

[@nehalyoussef3364]

I just love your hair color !

[@danieli.9252]

If I go to a kiosk and instead of the Pay As You Go option, I select the 7 Day Travelcard, will I have to also pay the fee for the card itself (5 or 7 pounds)?

[@Code-on-TRIP]

Thanks a lot for the video. It’s really helpful, and I found a discount code for buying the railcard. You can ask me, it’s for free!

[@lovermonkey]

Can you use the oyster card if I want to take the tram from Edinburgh to its airport?

[@B.C36]

You can use a contactless credit or debit card.

[@littlehawk299]

How much does a tube ride cost with the oyster card roughly.? Let's say from soho back to Victoria Station? Going alone next week for two days. I'm scared lol

[@bethkramer4169]

Great video and very informative

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

I think so. If often taking the train, a railcard is indeed very useful.

[@touristtea6076]

When using a contactless card does the system track that each ride not a new ride? Like when I depart a station. Is that a new fair?

[@ek12474]

I see that each passenger must use their own contactless card. My wife and I each have cards but they are on the same account. Can we use these for underground trips, etc.

[@swamisamarth6438]

Leave aside the transport.. I m mesmerised by u.. I mean ur face.. Ur voice.. Ur gestures... Simple yet elegant.. I luv it...

[@JessWhiteVLOGS]

Where can you buy tickets online or can you? Were going on vacation to London and we want to start at Kings Cross and go to Watford then come back to Kings Cross.

[@Ron_TTE]

You don’t need to touch on the yellow reader to activate when you buy it, only when you top up. That’s just to check your balance

[@user-zzyachieve]

Thank you for reminding! I'm going on a trip this month❤By the way I found it possible to use code on trainpal to get a discount on the purchase of tickets, which saved my budget lol! If anyone needs，I can share～

[@Kodrp]

So if I’m not dumb, an oyster card is a card where I put as an example £10 in and just scan when I enter the tube and scan when I leave it and it automatically pays from my balance?

[@KeishaC33]

i’m visiting london in a few weeks for the first time. i’m from canada. i’ll be going for 2 weeks and plan to use the busses and trains a lot. i’m mostly staying in the central london area and my air bnb is in the covent gardens area. would the 7 day oyster card do and then i can just reload it after the 7 days? or is there a better option?

[@shady6302]

following since i'm going to londo next month!

[@ye_mother]

I'd recommend a visitor oyster which will give you the best possible deals but when using a 7 day oyster, after 5 days you will get a better discount (I am 90 % I know what i am saying, but I am a londoner)

[@expressdotpc]

Pay £5 and get a Oyster card. If you have a contactless credit card, you can use that as well but Canada might charge you foreign transaction fees.

[@o0ooCrossboneoo0o]

So I have applied the railcard, and I just bought the oyster card form the station, can I and apply the railcard on it directly? or are there any options when buying the oyster card to use the bought railcard?

[@bills1779]

Can you pay via master card to add money to the Oyster? For a 7 day stay in London would you need 100 Lb?

[@mystyredz]

Do you have to tap in and out when using the river boat and cable car?

[@1234zztechman]

Is this oyster card applicable in scotland as well?, please let me know

[@jomeljoseph5403]

I got 16hr connection in London airport(Heathrow) and I wanted to visit London iconic places and streets(not a palace fan). I love to walk around and take some pictures.What are my best option, please help?

[@dayanarapizarro3564]

thank you so much for the video. super helpful! however, i just have a question. can I pay for the oyster card and refill it with cash or is it card only?

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

Yes you can. You just need a machine that accepts cash or go off license to top it up.

[@DeltaEASyt]

@@KatsGoneGlobal So far I haven’t seen a station in central London without one

[@ane22299]

Hi, im going to London for the first time in December for 5 days, I have contactless on my phone, so is it worth it for my partner and I to get the physical card? thanks!

[@vinayjoseph278]

Hai, I am planning to visit London next week. We are 4 me, wife and two kids. Can I use same Oyster card for all of us. Is I need to buy different cards?

[@destan1513]

Hello can someone help my , i'm gonna go to london next week and i'm sooo afraid with those cards and oyster cards because we don't have them here in switzerland. I have a hotel near the gatwick airport , i saw there is a train station . I can pay with the contacles card to go on the train? And how much is it from the gaitwick airport to the victoria station? And i have a baby 2 years old do i need to pay for her too?

[@carmentrabajo1007]

I eared in another video that NOWADAYS it's the same to pay the tube with OYSTER ir a Credit card..? Does It cost the same?

[@DieVeilchen1911]

I am staying in London or 4 nights, is contactless the best option for me? Already got the TFL oyster app. Thank you.

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

For 4 days it would be £29.4 or £37 for a weekly zone 1-2. It depends on how much you'd be traveling but either way it'll cap you at the weekly price if you do hit that. Contactless would calculate it the best for you.

[@isshak1]

can you buy a 7 day travel card in the airport and use same day

[@humaira917]

Is there any app like trainline for londontube to buy the card online?

[@marissagraham4298]

Is there an apps for debit card contactless.or just pay same as the same way of buy something and pay contactless

[@neenup.a3933]

Can i use student oyster card for traveling from Eastbourne to London Victoria

[@myacob2142]

Is tube and train are the same ? Thank you

[@PeterCummins-gm2bu]

How U add the Oyster. With a Railcard %Card. Also WHEN USING Oyster on the Croydon Trams. U ONLY Need to Tap In. Only TAP OUT. IF U Exit via WIMBLEDON NAT Rail Stn.

[@hobiday5833]

Do you think it would be cheaper to get an oyster card or daily travel card for just one day in central london. It seems like oyster would be cheaper but u mentioned using a daily travel card for just one day. 🙃 also can I use the oyster card as many times as want throughout the day

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

It depends on how often you plan to come to London. It costs £5 for the card and if you only plan on coming onces for one day then you won't get that money back for over a year. If you plan on coming back then it is an investment.

[@asavlogsalltruthrevealed7483]

@@KatsGoneGlobal Hi thinking of coming london me & my son for 2 nights could u plz let me me knw best tickets to buy for travel.

[@tracyfiore796]

Hi. We're traveling to London soon from the US. Do each of us need our own Visitor Oyster or can we share one? (tapping in and and out twice with the same card/two fares).

[@darcybunn9995]

Each person needs their own card.

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Can the blogger introduce the recent public transportation promotions? I heard that tainpal has it recently. I don't know if there are any other platforms. Thank you!

[@Code-on-TRIP]

Yes. I also heard trainpal has the discount when buying a railcard. Just use the code.

[@gabrielagaltero5872]

Hi. Your video was very clear. However, I've got some doubts. I'll be going as a tourist, for 3 weeks, and staying in zone 4. I understand I would need to load 3 7-day Travelcards (one per week). Do I need to select the zones for them if I intend to travel everyday to central London (i.e. 1-4), or there is just one travelcard no matter the zone. I also intend to take the Tube from Heathrow, and also travel in the air cable and perhaps the clipper to Greenwich. So, I go to the vending machine, and select a 7-day Travelcard (+ deposit) and then top it up with extra cash for traveling from the airport + extra cash for the air cable?

[@forestno0k]

You select the zones when purchasing the travelcard, the fare will be more expensive the larger the area you want to travel, and yes you will then be able to add extra funds to your card at the same booth for any extra expenses

[@gabrielagaltero5872]

@@forestno0k Ok, thank you for your clear answer. One last question. If I decided to take a bus from zone 4 to central London, and then move within central London with the tube, would it be cheaper? i.e. , is the bus fare cheaper than tube fare?

[@TheDevdenim]

Great Video. I have a query. I am new in UK and traveling to London from Reading. Will visit London tourist places for a Day, along with my wife and 10 & 7 yr old 2 kids. Which Oyester Travel Card should I get for all 4 for us? I heard that for kids till 10 yrs old the transport is free for Zip cards?

[@KatsGoneGlobal]

As I understand children under 11 travel free on buses and trams, Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and some National Rail services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to four children per adult). visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/help/travelling-with-children/ Then over 11 needs a Zip oyster card. You could either use contactless, apple pay, google pay, buy an adult oyster card or a paper ticket for the day. Contactless is the easiest and then you don't need to pay the £5 for the Oyster card.

[@john_smith1471]

11-15 yr olds should get a Young Visitor Discount added to their oystercard, fares are then half the adult rate. Zip oyster is only for youngsters who live in London also zip needs a photo card.

[@scottrobinson2489]

We will be visiting in early 2023 from the US. Thursday morning to next Thursday noon (7.5 days). We plan to buy Oyster cards at Heathrow Underground station and add a 7 day travel card as we will be making several trips, multiple zones. I’ve seen statements saying Sunday to Monday for the weekly cards. Is that true or are they good starting the day you purchase plus 6 more days? I realize that our last day would be our 8th day so we would need to go with pay as you go/contactless card/Apple Pay for the trip back to Heathrow. Thanks in advance for any advice. (;-)

[@tekpic04]

Scott, When you touch down in London next year, you can start your weekly pass from the date you wanted.

[@suburbia2050]

The Sunday to Monday thing is the automatic weekly price capping, nothing to do with the travelcard which starts whenever you want it to start.

[@adrijamitra7867]

Hi, I want to buy the Oyster card, but it only takes the exact amount of pound in the machine & I got no changes. The visitor oyster card requires a 5 pound deposit and the normal one takes 7. But with the cash in my hand I can only pay 15 pounds with 5 pounds as the deposit. The machine doesn't give change. So how can I get the card? Also, can I buy the Oyster card from Heathrow Elizabeth line ticket counter? At least there I guess I won't have to pay the exact amount? I know it's a long comment, but can you help me? (I'm not sure if my contactless card will work in London or not, that's why)

[@petermarshall4191]

Can i buy the Oyster card at Heathrow when I arrive?

[@bethkramer4169]

Can I purchase the card on line before I get to England ? Also I’ll be staying in St Albans for 15 days , I will be using the tube to see the sights in the city. Please advise Kind regards Beth

[@expressdotpc]

You cna buy at major Tube stations.

[@Alina-hy4yg]

If my credit card is contactless in my country, does it mean it will be also contactless in London?

[@mingzy]

So I can use the underground, overground, buses with only Apple Pay?

[@aaakeane7241]

How much is a 7 day travel card to include Heathrow zone

[@MS-fz7nv]

How many ways are there for top up ing an oyster card ?

[@daydaykeyis]

What does yellow light at card reader means?

[@barbiec4312]

Do you tap in and out with contactless too?

[@creativeexpletives]

Does the remaining credit on regular Oyster card expires? How about the £5 activation fees on card, you mentioned it’s refunded after 1 year, will that expire if not used after 1 year? The visitor oyster card also has a £5 non refundable fee, so for a tourist buying one or the other won’t make much difference?

[@template16]

The credit on Oyster does not expire. I have an Oyster card unused since 2018 and it still has £9.15 credit showing.

[@riamae17santos]

Hello is Oyster Card still the one you can use in London? How much is a single train ride? Just want to estimate how much pre-load I should buy.

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Oyster cards can only be used in London and railcards in other places, but it is not cost-effective for tourists. Recently, there are discounts that do not require cards.

[@haidaralghareeb9967]

Hi thanks for the video. What do you mean by (capped at the zonL prices)? Does it mean, i cant make additional journeys after this cap ?? Personally i want to make 3-4 journeys daily. Shall i be worried from this cap? Thanks a lot

[@mickylee82]

It means, once you've spent about 5-6 pounds in a day on tfl you won't be charged anymore that day. You can still travel as normal once you've reached the cap.

[@haidaralghareeb9967]

@@mickylee82 oooh that is really amazing. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. 🙏

[@arianaraquel1958]

Can I share an oyster card with my mom??? We are only going for 3 days, do we need it???

[@jeanpaulfenech304]

If I buy a 7-Day Oyster for Zones 1 & 2 only, and one of the days I go to a station which is situated at zone 4. What is the best option to do?

[@haidaralghareeb9967]

My question exactly. I believe i got the answer. For that day for zone 4, just use your contactless card. For your other days, continue using your Oyster.

[@summeroflove394]

London oyster card system is very confusing. If I understand correctly, let's say I am a visitor and I top up the card with 20 pounds and use the tube for 10 rides in Zone 1 on the first day, does that means I have exhausted all my balance and need to top up again? (considering the fare is 2.70 in Zone 1) This is very expensive compared to rest of Europe. For example, in Munich we have 7-day pass for 20 euros only for the main zone, Zone M and this is for unlimited number of rides on all public transport.