Oyster explained

Official Old Man

Uckfield Seagull

Aug 27, 2011

8,555

Brighton

• Nov 15, 2014

• #1

Country bumkin needs help on the London underground.
Need to go from London Bridge to Bond St (for Hyde Park) and back. Adding all areas to my train ticket is £10 but I see a single journey using an Oyster card is £2.20. Can I buy an Oyster card and load it only with £5. Reading up it looks like I need to put £10 minimum. My trips to the big smoke are few and far between.

 

skipper734

Registered ruffian

Aug 9, 2008

9,189

Curdridge

• Nov 15, 2014

• #2

I believe your Debit card has the same benefits as Oyster.

 

seagullsovergrimsby

#cpfctinpotclub

Aug 21, 2005

43,690

Crap Town

• Nov 15, 2014

• #3

A "contactless" debit card can be used on the tube. Remember to tap in and tap out otherwise the system cannot work out the journey you've made and charges you £8.60.

 

clippedgull

Hotdogs, extra onions

Aug 11, 2003

20,789

Near Ducks, Geese, and Seagulls

• Nov 15, 2014

• #4

Contactless Info here:

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless

Also on 28th November (Friday) Contactless (MasterCard ONLY) cardholders go free on Londons Public Transport

 

Beach Hut

Brighton Bhuna Boy

Jul 5, 2003

71,969

Living In a Box

• Nov 15, 2014

• #5

If you do not use the Underground much as stated do it contactless with a debit card, alternatively I think it is £10 minimum on Oyster to start but you can top up with £5

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,310

• Nov 15, 2014

• #6

try adding just zone 1 travel card to your ticket, thats all you need.

also as i recall you can buy the oysters at the station/vending machines for £5 with that much credit.

 

Lord Bracknell

On fire

Jul 5, 2003

39,499

104 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair

• Nov 15, 2014

• #7

I have an Oyster card, a contractless debit card, two contractless credit cards, a Key card issued by Southern Rail, and a wallet full of cash and small change.

Card payments are now so easy and available in so many outlets that I am finding it increasingly irritating to be carrying cash around. Does anyone on NSC have any smart ideas for getting rid of unwanted cash?

 

R

robinsonsgrin

Well-known member

Mar 16, 2009

1,451

LA...wishing it was devon..

• Nov 15, 2014

• #8

Lord Bracknell said:

I have an Oyster card, a contractless debit card, two contractless credit cards, a Key card issued by Southern Rail, and a wallet full of cash and small change.

Card payments are now so easy and available in so many outlets that I am finding it increasingly irritating to be carrying cash around. Does anyone on NSC have any smart ideas for getting rid of unwanted cash?

Click to expand...

donate it to St Barnabas Hospice in memory of my recently departed dad....(and blackpool fan)! grin

 

Lord Bracknell

On fire

Jul 5, 2003

39,499

104 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair

• Nov 15, 2014

• #9

robinsonsgrin said:

donate it to St Barnabas Hospice in memory of my recently departed dad....(and blackpool fan)! grin

Click to expand...

My point is that it is much, much easier to make such a donation by card. It's the weighty rolling money I want to get rid of.

http://www.stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk/get-involved/donate

 

Official Old Man

Uckfield Seagull

Aug 27, 2011

8,555

Brighton

• Nov 15, 2014

• Thread starter
• #10

Thanks guys. My debit card is not contactless so no good. I'll have a look to see if I can get an Oyster card from a major train station. Online it says preloaded with £5 but then you have to buy a further £5.
Thanks for your help.

 

D

dennis

Well-known member

Aug 1, 2007

1,151

Cornwall

• Nov 15, 2014

• #11

I was in London the other week. I bought a day s travel card for £11.40.
The benefit is that although its the same as having an Oyster card. The oyster card will charge you for every journey you make. The travel card is paid for and that's it you can't be charged anymore that day.

 

wehatepalace

Limbs

Apr 27, 2004

7,292

Pease Pottage

• Nov 15, 2014

• #12

Lord Bracknell said:

Does anyone on NSC have any smart ideas for getting rid of unwanted cash?

Click to expand...

Yes, give it to me.

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,310

• Nov 15, 2014

• #13

dennis said:

I was in London the other week. I bought a day s travel card for £11.40.
The benefit is that although its the same as having an Oyster card. The oyster card will charge you for every journey you make. The travel card is paid for and that's it you can't be charged anymore that day.

Click to expand...

the oyster is capped and stops charging once you hit the day travel card rate.

 

B

Bad Ash

Unregistered User

Jul 18, 2003

1,900

Housewares

• Nov 15, 2014

• #14

beorhthelm said:

the oyster is capped and stops charging once you hit the day travel card rate.

Click to expand...

I was never sure if there was a break even point where once you exceed X amount of journeys a day pass was better value than an Oyster. Thanks for clearing that up, glad I finally took the plunge and jumped on the Oyster bandwagon.