Travelcard
The Travelcard is a paper ticket that gives you unlimited access to London’s public transport for a limited amount of time, being the best option for the majority of tourists.
Fares
You can either get a 24-hour or 7-day Travelcard. Residents can also get monthly or annual Travelcards.
When buying a 24-hour Travelcard, you can choose a Day Anytime, which can be used at any time of the day and is valid until 4:30 am the next day. Or you can get the Day Off-Peak, which only allows you to take public transport after 9:30 am and is also valid until the next day at 4:30 am.
| Valid | Anytime (Peak) | Off Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 1-2 | £ 14.40 (US$ 18.80) | £ 14.40 (US$ 18.80) |
| Zones 1-4 | £ 14.40 (US$ 18.80) | £ 14.40 (US$ 18.80) |
| Zones 1-6 | £ 20.30 (US$ 26.50) | £ 14.40 (US$ 18.80) |
| Zones | Adults | Children (ages 11 - 15) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | £ 38.40 (US$ 50.10) | £ 19.20 (US$ 25) |
| 1-3 | £ 45.20 (US$ 59) | £ 22.60 (US$ 29.50) |
| 1-4 | £ 55.20 (US$ 72.10) | £ 27.60 (US$ 36) |
| 1-5 | £ 65.70 (US$ 85.80) | £ 32.90 (US$ 43) |
| 1-6 | £ 70.30 (US$ 91.80) | £ 35.20 (US$ 46) |
Children under eleven can ride with an adult for free.
Where to buy a London Travelcard?
The Travelcards can be purchased at any tube station, tourist information stands, in the National Rail stations and also in certain newsagents.
Depending on where you purchase the ticket, you will get it in one format or other. In the tube stations, when buying a 7 day Travelcard, you’ll get it in a pre-charged Oyster Card.
If you get it in the National Rail station, you’ll get it as a paper ticket with the National Rail symbol on it, which is important if you want to use the 2FOR1 offers.
Travelcard or Oyster Card?
Although both cards are very similar, and the Travelcard can be bought within an Oyster card, from a touristic point of view, there are several differences:
- For a tourist an Oyster Card can be more troublesome: you have to buy it, recharge it and finally return it to be given back the money that you haven’t spent on it.
- If you buy a Travelcard in the National Rail (railway stations), you’ll have access to the 2FOR1 offers in London's top attractions.
