The Oyster Card which was introduced by the Mayor of London to supposedly cut down queues at ticket machines and cut out the use of cash on the public transport system. Londoners were basically forced to adopt the new technology because of the reduced travel rates when using the Oyster Card. You can still buy a paper ticket at any of the machines but be prepared to buy at least twice the price for a single ticket. Oyster Card is constantly adding more bonus features to their service to urge people to use their Oyster Card when travelling around London.

A lot of Londoners had problems with the Oyster Card because it logs your entire journey for a certain amount of time. You can request this history download at any ticket office in a station. People have this thing about being anonymous in London but face it; we’re captured so many times on CCTV cameras in London that it is not worth it to hide as nobody anyway cares about what you do in London as long as it is not illegal.

How to get an Oyster Card

These cards are not free although TFL sometimes have special promotions where they give away a certain amount of Oyster Cards. You will need to go into any store that can issue Oyster Cards such as a convenience store or a station and complete a short form and hand it back to the cashier. They will then require a £3 deposit for the card which they will issue on the spot.

Apply for an Oyster Card Online

When can I start using the Oyster Card and where is it accepted?

You can now immediately use your Oyster Card on any bus or tube. Remember that not all trains support the pay as you go feature on the Oyster Card yet. Some train companies will accept the Oyster Card as long as you have a daily / weekly or monthly travel card on there. The train networks have strict rules on that and may issue you with an on the spot fine. If you are unsure, ask someone working on the platform, better to be safe than sorry.

Registering and losing your Oyster Card

Once you have the Oyster Card, you can register it on the Oyster Card website. Each Oyster Card has a unique number at the back of the card. This number will be required when you register your card. Make another note of that number somewhere on your mobile phone or on a piece of paper. This will come handy when you lose your Oyster Card and you had a travel card on there. TFL will be able to refund the travel card amount but you will need to apply for another card. Remember that TFL won’t refund any Pay as You Go credit that was on there. Terms and conditions do apply.

Register for an online account after you got your Oyster Card

What are the bonus features of using an Oyster Card?

• You get discounted fares compared to paying cash for your journey.
• Various 2 for 1 deal in London from attractions, events to restaurants and theatre shows.
  
• There is no hassle of carrying around cash to pay for every single journey you take.

Check out the Oyster Card deals