What is the daily fare cap for London public transport in 2026?

With contactless payment (bank card or phone), the automatic daily cap is £8,90 for Zones 1–2. Once you reach this amount, all subsequent trips that day are free. There is also a weekly cap (Monday–Sunday) of £44,70. Always use the same card or phone to benefit from capping.

Do I need to tap out on the London Underground?

Yes — on the Tube, Overground, DLR and Elizabeth Line you must tap BOTH in and out at the yellow card readers. Forgetting to tap out results in the maximum fare being charged (£8,90 or more). On buses, you only tap in.

How do I get from Heathrow Airport to London city centre?

The Elizabeth Line is the best option: 35 minutes to Paddington, £15,50 contactless, every 5–10 minutes. The Piccadilly Line is cheaper (£5,90) but takes 50 minutes. The Heathrow Express is fastest (15 minutes) but costs from £10 (advance) to £26 (walk-up).

Should I buy an Oyster Card or use my contactless bank card in London?

Use your contactless bank card or Apple/Google Pay — it gives the same fares as an Oyster Card (£3,10 per trip, capped at £8,90/day in Zones 1–2) without the £7 deposit. Only get an Oyster Card if your bank card doesn't support contactless payment.

Are paper Travelcards worth buying in London?

No. A paper Travelcard for Zones 1–2 costs £16,60 per day — nearly double the £8,90 daily cap you automatically get with contactless payment. Paper Travelcards are not recommended for tourists.

What is the fine for not tapping in or out in London?

The penalty fare for travelling without a valid ticket in London is £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Are children allowed to travel free on London public transport?

Yes. Children aged 0–10 travel free with an adult (up to 4 children per adult). Children aged 11–15 can get a 50% discount with an Oyster Zip Card, though this requires an online application with a photo at least 2 weeks in advance.

Is there a Night Tube in London?

Yes, but only on Friday and Saturday nights. Five lines run all night: Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly (including Heathrow), and Victoria. Night buses (N-prefix) run every night. Your regular contactless card or day pass is valid on all night services.

How much does it cost to get from Gatwick Airport to London?

The Thameslink train from Gatwick to London Bridge or St Pancras costs £13–20 and takes 30–45 minutes, running every 15 minutes. Contactless payment works. This is cheaper than the Gatwick Express and almost as fast.

Public Transport in London

Last updated: June 2026 · #2 most visited city in Europe

Best ticket Contactless · £3,10/trip with an automatic £8,90/day cap (Zones 1–2). No pass to buy — just tap your bank card or phone.

How to pay Tap your contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay at the yellow readers. Same fare as an Oyster Card, no £7 deposit. The system automatically calculates the cheapest price for you.

Don't get caught Always tap in AND out on the Tube, Overground, DLR and Elizabeth Line — forget to tap out and you're charged the maximum fare (£8,90+). Travelling without a valid ticket: £100 penalty (£50 if paid within 14 days).

Official app — TfL Go (iOS) · TfL Go (Android)

Key Pitfalls

1. Automatic Daily & Weekly Capping! London has the smartest system: with contactless payment you pay a maximum of £8,90 per day (Zones 1–2). There's also weekly capping (Mon–Sun) for £44,70. The system automatically calculates the cheapest price!

2. ALWAYS tap in and out! Forget to tap out? Then you'll pay the maximum fare (£8,90+). This is the most common mistake. ALWAYS tap at the yellow reader, including on buses (tap in only).

3. Pink readers when transferring! Tap the pink readers when transferring outside Zone 1 to avoid the 'Zone 1 surcharge'. This can save you £2–3 per trip.

4. NEVER buy paper tickets! These are nearly twice as expensive as contactless. Always use your bank card or Oyster Card.

Quick Check Before Boarding

Do you have your bank card or Oyster Card ready?
Phone >20% battery? (for Apple Pay/Google Pay)
Do you know which zone you're heading to?
Did you tap in and out on your previous trip?
Are you using the same payment card throughout for the daily cap?

Which ticket should you buy?

Roammate advice Just tap your contactless bank card or phone and let the automatic capping do the work. You pay £3,10 per trip up to a maximum of £8,90/day (Zones 1–2), with a weekly cap of £44,70 (Mon–Sun). It's the same fare as an Oyster Card but without the £7 deposit — and far cheaper than a paper Travelcard.

Ticket Type	Price (2026)	Validity	Best when
Contactless (bank card) Our pick	£3,10 per trip max £8,90/day Zones 1–2	Per trip	Always the best choice — automatic capping
Oyster Card	£3,10 per trip max £8,90/day Zones 1–2	Per trip	If you don't have contactless (£7 card deposit)
Travelcard (paper)	£16,60/day Zones 1–2	24 hours	Not recommended — much more expensive than contactless

Cost example — 3 days in London

Contactless: 3 × £8,90 cap = £26,70
Paper Travelcard: 3 × £16,60 = £49,80
Savings with contactless: £20,10

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From Heathrow / Gatwick Airport to the city centre

Heathrow Airport (LHR) — UK's largest airport

Compare the options and choose what suits you:

Option	Time	Price (2026)	Best for
Elizabeth Line Our pick	35 min	£15,50 contactless	Best price/speed balance
Heathrow Express	15 min	from £10–£26 advance / walk-up	Speed & comfort (business)
Piccadilly Line	50 min	£5,90 contactless	Ultra-budget (but much slower)

Option 1: Elizabeth Line (recommended)

Route: Heathrow → Paddington / Liverpool Street / Canary Wharf
Time: 35 minutes to Paddington
Cost 2026: £15,50 (contactless, counts towards daily cap)
Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes
Tip: Modern trains, plenty of luggage space, air conditioning. Best choice for most tourists!
Payment: Contactless at the gates (tap in AND out!)

Option 2: Heathrow Express (fastest, most expensive)

Route: Heathrow → Paddington (non-stop)
Time: 15 minutes
Cost 2026: £26 (walk-up) — from £10 (advance booking)
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Tip: Book online for discount. Luxury trains with WiFi and power outlets.
Payment: Online (heathrowexpress.com) or contactless at gates

Option 3: Piccadilly Line (cheapest, slowest)

Route: Heathrow → city centre (many stops)
Time: 50–60 minutes
Cost: £5,90 (contactless, counts towards daily cap)
Frequency: Every 5 minutes
Tip: Cheapest option, but crowded and slow. Not ideal with lots of luggage.
Payment: Contactless at the gates

Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Thameslink Train (recommended)

Route: Gatwick → London Bridge / St Pancras
Time: 30–45 minutes
Cost: £13–20 (contactless works!)
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Tip: Cheaper than Gatwick Express, almost as fast

Budget breakdown for 3 days in London

Smart option: Elizabeth Line return (£29,20) + 3 days contactless (£26,70) = £55,90
Luxury option: Heathrow Express return (£52) + 3 days contactless (£26,70) = £78,70
Budget option: Piccadilly Line return (£11,80) + 3 days contactless (£26,70) = £38,50

Fare system & rules

Automatic daily & weekly cap with contactless When you travel with a contactless bank card or mobile payment, an automatic daily maximum of £8,90 (Zones 1–2) applies. Once you reach this amount, every other trip that day is free. There's also a weekly cap (Mon–Sun) of £44,70. You never pay more than a day pass would cost — the system automatically calculates the cheapest price.

How to use contactless payment

Find the yellow card reader at the station / bus stop
Tap your bank card or phone against the yellow reader (IN)
Wait for green confirmation + beep
Travel to your destination
Tap out at the yellow reader (OUT) at your final station!
Always use the same card / phone for the daily cap

London has 9 zones

Most tourist attractions are in Zones 1–2. Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace — all Zone 1. Camden, Notting Hill, Greenwich — Zone 2. 95% of tourists stay within Zones 1–2.

Zones 1–2: Central London — £8,90 daily cap
Zones 1–3: Including Wimbledon, Kew Gardens — £10,50 daily cap
Zones 1–6: Including Heathrow Airport — £16,30 daily cap
Gatwick: Outside zones, separate ticket needed (contactless works)

Quick check before boarding

Do you have your bank card or Oyster Card ready?
Phone above 20% battery? (for Apple Pay / Google Pay)
Do you know which zone you're heading to?
Did you tap in and out on your previous trip?
Are you using the same payment card throughout for the daily cap?

System essentials

Main app	TfL Go / contactless card / Apple Pay
Multiple travellers on one card?	No — 1 person per card/phone. Children need an Oyster with a young person's discount.
Check-in / validate	NFC tap at yellow card readers (in AND out!)
Offline available?	No (contactless requires internet for calculation)
Payment methods	Contactless bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Oyster Card
Add to Wallet?	Yes (Express Mode on iPhone works without unlocking)
Fine for not validating	£100 (reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days)
Night transport after 01:00	Yes — Night Tube (Fri/Sat) and Night Buses
Exit scan required?	Yes! Always tap in AND out, otherwise maximum fare
Ticket activation needed?	No (automatic upon tap)
Real-time info	Yes (TfL Go app & digital boards at stations)

Discounts for families & children

Age / group	Fare	Notes
0–10 years	Free with adult	Max 4 children per adult
11–15 years	50% discount (Oyster Zip Card)	Requires online application with photo, 2 weeks in advance. For short trips, adult fare is often easier.
16–17 years	Reduced fare (16+ Oyster Card)	—
60+ seniors	No tourist discount	UK residents only
Students	No tourist discount	No special discount for tourists

Accessibility & travellers with disabilities

★★★☆☆ 3.5 / 5

London is a city of extremes. The bus network is world-class (100% accessible + free for wheelchair users). The Tube is old and challenging (just over a third step-free — 94 stations as of December 2025). But thanks to the fully accessible Elizabeth Line, DLR and the iconic Black Cabs, the city is still manageable with proper planning.

Tube & train accessibility

Elizabeth Line: The "Game Changer". 100% accessible from Heathrow to city centre (Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool St, Canary Wharf).
Jubilee Line: The modern section (Westminster, Waterloo, London Bridge, Canary Wharf) is fully accessible.
DLR: 100% accessible, perfect for East London / Greenwich.
Bus: All 9,000 buses have automatic boarding ramps and wheelchair spaces.

Notorious non-accessible stations

Piccadilly Circus (no lifts!)
Oxford Circus (no lifts!)
Covent Garden (lifts only, but often queues / breakdowns)
Bank (maze, avoid unless you know the way)

Assistance & support

Tube (Turn Up & Go): You do NOT need to book. Staff will help you with the "manual boarding ramp".
National Rail (outside London): Passenger Assist App or call 0800 022 3720 (2h in advance).
Mental / hidden disability: TfL offers free "Please Offer Me a Seat" badges and passports.

Discounts & free travel

Wheelchair users: Travel FREE on all TfL buses (no pass needed).
Tube / train: Normal fare for tourists (Freedom Pass is for residents only).
Companion: Pays normal fare, unless you have a specific UK Disabled Persons Railcard.

Best accessible routes for tourists

Heathrow → City Centre / Canary Wharf

Elizabeth Line — level boarding from train to street, lifts at every station. Get off at Tottenham Court Road for the West End (Soho / Theatres) — brand-new station with lifts.

South Bank & Tate Modern

Jubilee Line (Westminster → Waterloo → London Bridge) — all step-free from street to train. South Bank is a flat promenade. Blackfriars Station (Overground) also has lifts and an entrance directly on the bridge.

Museums (South Kensington)

Avoid Tube station South Kensington (no lifts for Piccadilly / District)! Take Bus 360, 14, 74, 414 or a Black Cab from Victoria Station. Natural History Museum & V&A are fully accessible via side entrances.

Tools & apps

TfL Go: Best app — shows "Step-free mode".
Citymapper: Choose "Wheelchair accessible" in settings.
Black Cabs: 100% wheelchair accessible (ramp built-in). Expensive, but perfect for short distances where the Tube fails.
Uber: Uber Access option available in the app.

Golden tip Don't trust the Tube map. Download the special "Step-free Tube map" or use TfL Go. A station can be "step-free" but still have a large gap between train and platform ("manual boarding ramp" needed).

Visual impairment

Tactile paving: Present at stations across the network, including yellow edge strips and tactile warning surfaces near platform edges — but not yet universal at all stations.
Audio announcements: Automated next-stop and door-side announcements on the Elizabeth line, Victoria, Jubilee, Bakerloo, Central, DLR and Piccadilly lines. Not available on Northern, Circle, District, Metropolitan or Waterloo & City lines.
Turn Up and Go: Free staff-assisted guiding from ticket hall to platform and beyond — no pre-booking needed at any Tube, Overground or Elizabeth line station.

Night transport in London (after 00:30)

London's Underground has limited night hours, but the Night Tube runs all night on some lines.

When does the regular metro stop?

Day	Last metro (regular)	Night Tube
Monday – Thursday	~00:30	None
Friday – Saturday	–	All night (5 lines)
Sunday	~23:30	None

Night Tube lines (Friday / Saturday)

Central Line: West to East (White City ↔ Ealing / Leytonstone)
Jubilee Line: North to South (Stratford ↔ West Hampstead)
Northern Line: North to South (High Barnet / Edgware ↔ Morden)
Piccadilly Line: Heathrow ↔ Cockfosters (including airport!)
Victoria Line: North to South (Walthamstow ↔ Brixton)

Night buses

London has an extensive night bus network that runs every night. All night buses start with 'N'.

N9: Aldwych → Heathrow (airport service!)
N15: Trafalgar Square → East London
N29: Trafalgar Square → North London (Enfield)
N91: Cockfosters → Crouch End

Tips for night travel

Same tickets: Your contactless card or day pass works at night too
Night Tube frequency: Every 10–20 minutes
Night buses: Every 15–30 minutes depending on line
Heathrow at night: Piccadilly Line + Night Bus N9 available

Shared transport: bikes & scooters

Bikes (bike-sharing)

Provider	Price (2026)	Features
Santander Cycles	£1,65 (regular) / £3,30 (e-bike)	Day Pass £3 (unlimited 30-min rides)
Forest	10 min free / day	Then £0,23/min (no unlock fee)
Lime	£1 unlock + £0,19/min	Largest fleet, also via Uber app (£0,27/min)
Voi	£0,20/min	Hackney pass (£1,75 per 30 min)

E-scooters

Provider	Price (2026)	Status
Voi	£0 unlock + £0,12/min	Cheapest option in London
Lime	£1 unlock + £0,17/min	Available in 9 boroughs
Dott / Tier	£1 unlock + £0,21/min	Merged, limited operations

Roammate tip

umob — all shared transport in one app

In London you can use umob. Live in London since November 2025. Book and pay directly for Forest shared bikes via one account — handy for travellers who also use umob in other European cities.

Get umob →

eSIM & internet in London

London has excellent 5G coverage, but the Tube is notorious for lack of signal underground. An eSIM is essential to find your way above ground immediately.

London tip Download your eSIM before you land at Heathrow or Gatwick. You'll need internet immediately to check Elizabeth Line times or book an Uber.

Roammate tip

Airalo eSIM From $4,50

Recommended for most travellers. Quick activation and reliable coverage across London.

1GB / 3GB / 5GB Instant setup 5G support

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Firsty (free backup) Free / Paid

The perfect safety net. Free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Maps.

Free basic data No credit card needed

Try Firsty for free →

Holafly (unlimited) From €19,00

Best for power users. Never worry about data limits while navigating or streaming.

Unlimited data Keep WhatsApp

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Luggage lockers & storage in London

Don't drag your suitcases around! In London there are 2 reliable options to safely store your luggage.

No station lockers in London! Unlike other European cities, London has NO public luggage lockers at stations (King's Cross, Paddington, Victoria, etc.). This is a security measure since the '90s. You must use commercial luggage storage services.

Most locations

Bounce Luggage Storage Typically £5,00/day

Safe luggage storage in local shops and hotels. Best choice for flexibility and coverage.

£10,000 protection 24/7 locations Free cancellation

Find storage near me →

Stasher Typically £6,00/day

The 'Airbnb for luggage', working with reputable hotel chains and shops across the city.

Fully insured Vetted hosts No size limits

Book with Stasher →

Hotel storage (free!)

Almost all hotels store luggage for free before/after check-in/out. Ask at reception if they can store your suitcase after check-out.

Roammate advice Because London has no station lockers, Bounce is the best choice for most visitors. With 100+ locations throughout London, you'll always find a spot near your hotel, station or attraction. The insurance up to £10,000 gives extra peace of mind. Stasher is an excellent premium alternative if you prefer hotel service.