Oyster Card Help

[Filbert]

I'm going to London in a couple of weeks time, flying into Heathrow about 9pm ish. I'm thinking of getting an oyster card as I have to get to my mother-in-laws on the other side of London. Also for a couple of days I'll be sightseeing in the centre, so I'll be travelling in and out each day. I have a few questions for all you oyster experts:
1. Can I buy one at that time of night from anywhere at Heathrow? (I don't know my way round the airport and am arriving at Terminal 5).
2. If I get a pay as you go card, how much do I need to put in and how will I know when it's run out? And can I pay with a foreign credit card or does it need to be cash?
Sorry for all the questions, but it's my first time arriving in London with no-one to meet me and with a 2 hour tube and bus ride after and I'm a little nervous:-)
TIA

[tiggerblue10]

You can get one online:

https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0005.do

[Filbert]

Thanks tigger but unfortunately I'm not in the UK

[tiggerblue10]

There should be a ticket machine at the train station in Heathrow and there should be signs or an information desk to get directions.

If you get pay as you go top up card it should show you on the screen near the touch pad how much credit you have each time you swipe it.

Not sure about the foreign credit card bit though. I would initially use some cash.

[Filbert]

Thanks Tigger, I feel more relaxed about it now

[Dee Sa]

why on earth is nobody coming to meet you ? I would not dream of leaving a relative with no knowledge of London to travel on their own.
Correct me but I thought you had to give a photo when applying for your first Oyster card and they cost £5 when you first buy.
My advice would be just buy an ordinary tube ticket and sort it all out next day when you wont be so tired. Good luck and ask for a tube map [ they are free]at Heathrow Underground station.

[jno]

you might find it easier just getting a one-day travelcard each day - the price will depend on where you're staying, but if you're sightseeing a lot it usually saves you money.

[Filbert]

Hi all, no-one's coming cos my hubby is staying here and his Mum is now 80 and no longer drives. I have a basic knowledge of London but the Oyster card thing is all new to me, been living out of the country for 16 years

[Canary42]

Oyster cards do NOT require a photo - and in fact anyone can use it, not just the owner. There is an initial one-off fee, but the card is then valid forever, no renewal is necessary.

All it needs is enough credit on it to cover the maximum check-in fare at any station (it works by deducting the maximum fare when you clock in, and when you clock out it credits the difference).

As already stated, the amount of credit left on the card is displayed when you swipe it.

For a few days sightseeing I would put say £40 on it and watch how it goes.

Be aware that for main line rail usage there is a geographical limit (e.g. Feltham) beyond which it is not valid. Tube and buses are OK.

[Canary42]

P.S. Don't forget to swipe out at your destination, otherwise you will be charged as though you had gone to the end of the line.

[snags]

''you might find it easier just getting a one-day travelcard each day''

Agree. Off Peak Travelcard, zones 1 to 4 inclusive is £8 a day. No need to do all the 'swipe out' nonsense either.

[baza]

you can buy one from any LUL station, pay as you go works out cheaper for odd trips, however, if you use it for many trips in one day it will cap at the travel card rate. You must remember to touch in and out on the tube or national rail where available, you only have to touch in on buses.

[mikey4444]

Snags...the voice of reason !

Why on earth would anyone want to go to all the bother of buying an Oyster card instead of using a One Day travel card !

You can go anywhere you like, as many times as you like with this card.

Where is your destination "on the other side of London" We are always happy to help here on AB !

To start with, the Tube runs around all the Terminals at Heathrow, and will take you anywhere you like in outer and inner London, including ALL the mainline train stations.

Please note that the Heathrow Express fast route, into Paddington is not included on a One-day Travel Card. See this link ::
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-deals/railcards

The Heathrow Express is fast, only 15 mins into central London, but its very expensive. The Tube takes much longer but will be included in your One-Day Travel Card. It has the advantage of being capable of taking a huge distance, without changing if your destination is on the Piccadilly Line.

[Maydup]

When you depart the luggage area at terminal 5' follow signs for London Underground. Once there, look for a blue Oyster machine. Thats where you get a pay as you go card. I'm not sure about the credit card either but in this day and age, I see no reason why it shouldn't accept any card. But best to have a £20 note to load on first occasion.

Once in London, you can also top up and check the balance in small newsagents. Just ask them how much you have on the card and they will swipe it for you. I tend to use them when I visit, i find it less busy and stressful than checking and topping up at the tube station.

Are you OK with the tube/train journey or would you like a hand with the relevant line to use?

Either way have a good journey and a lovely time with Mum. Ask us again if you need us before or during your trip won't you.

[Maydup]

All the more reason to buy an Oyster Mikey!! It reduces all the complications for a visitor and the ifs and buts of our ridiculous fare systems where its cheaper this way or that.

[emmie]

as been mentioned the tube is the best option, Piccadilly line, dark blue on the map runs from Heathrow into central London and beyond. as you are coming in late, look for the airports information desk, enquire to where you can get your oyster card, have at least twenty quid in case if you can, that way it gets your round for a day or two. On buses, underground. Don't know as i have a different type of card, whether the oyster can be used on overground, but you can certainly on the bus, tube. good luck and have a great time.

[dzug2]

Some more bits and pieces:

The Oyster can be used not only on the overground (orange on the map) but also on all trains in the London area. Exceptions - the Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect between Heathrow and Hayes and Harlington and the High Speed route out of St Pancras

The £5 charge is a deposit and is refundable along with unused money if you hand the card in

The photo is only needed for child cards which are a pain to get

If you max out on journeys Oyster PAYG is about 50p a day less than the corresponding travelcard

[Filbert]

Thanks all. I'm going to Finsbury Park, and then from Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill on the bus. It's just all a bit daunting, first time on my own. (I'm a country girl) and I live in Barcelona where the travel cards are far easier to understand and get. Plus asking the mother-in-law I got even more confused, that's why I'd ask answerbankers...far more in touch with things.
I'm going to try for the oyster card when I get there as I have to be at the V& A before 10 for my 40th birthday present...the Bowie exhibition!!!
That's why I'm on my own, the flight there and back and the museum entrance was a pressie from my hubby and brother. Very excited!!!

[jno]

ahhh, sounds good, have a great time

[emmie]

this might help, a fairly new thing, using a debit, credit card to pay for your bus journey, not sure about the tube, but this gives info on it. Finsbury park is on the Piccadilly line by the way.


http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/19976.aspx