Transport in London - Ticketing

Ticketing

London commuters mostly gain access to public transport services in London by using one of the inter-modal travel tickets provided by Transport for London. Oystercard is a credit-card-sized electronic ticket which offers almost unlimited use on the London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, London Buses and National Rail services in the Greater London area. Commuters entering London from further afield may rely on the older paper Travelcard (combined with a National Rail ticket) which offers the same inter-modal access but is valid at the regional railway stations not yet equipped to offer electronic ticketing. Oystercard is generally not valid outside the London fare zones or on certain airport express services.

Both Travelcard and Oystercard fares are calculated by using a system of fare zones which divides London's transport network into concentric circles numbered 1-6. Individual transport operators may also offer their own ticketing and fare tariffs for travel on one mode of transport.