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Original poster

One day travelcard or contactless card for Tube travel

61 replies

cakeorwine · 16/04/2022 08:51

Very used to getting a one day travelcard for travelling around London as a tourist.

But I am aware that people do just use their contact less card to pay and it will never charge you more than the equivelent travel card?

Is it that simple? Just use your contactless card to enter and exit and once you've reached the same cost as the travelcard, it won't charge more?

And you could potentially pay less?

Does it work on the bus as well?

OP posts:
AtomicBlondeRose · 16/04/2022 08:52

Yes, it’s that simple, and it’s definitely the best way to get around. Just make sure you use the same card every time!

Original poster
cakeorwine · 16/04/2022 08:55

This will be exciting!

After years of getting a Travelcard. I feel a bit sad about not getting one.

OP posts:
BuanoKubiamVej · 16/04/2022 08:56

Yes it's that simple. The only catch is that if you have more than one contactless card in your wallet you need to be ready careful to tap in and tap out with the same card all day. If any of your journeys end at a stop that doesn't have an electronic barrier you need to take the time to find a way to tap out or you'll be charged on the assumption that you went out to zone 5.

SoupDragon · 16/04/2022 08:59

I have a wrist pouch I bought from Flying Tiger that I put my card in so it's easy to tap on/out and I don't have to fumble for the right card. No chance of "card clash" either.

BarbaraofSeville · 16/04/2022 09:02

I did this not so long ago and it worked fine. I went on a bus and two separate tube journeys from an outer zone to central London and it cost me about £7.50.

I think for a paying adult there's no need for a travel card or Oyster card any more - might be different if you're entitled to free/cheap travel due to age etc.

LittleBearPad · 16/04/2022 09:03

Use your iphone and you can set it up so you don’t even need to use Touch ID. Even easier.

BarbaraofSeville · 16/04/2022 09:05

I just kept the card I was using in the zipped chest pocket in my coat, so easily accessible and no chance of using multiple cards and getting into a mess.

Thighdentitycrisis · 16/04/2022 09:05

Agree, I live in London and use my phone all the time

BarbaraofSeville · 16/04/2022 09:06

@LittleBearPad

Use your iphone and you can set it up so you don’t even need to use Touch ID. Even easier.
If you have an iphone and if it is usually more accessible than a card in your coat pocket. Believe it or not, that doesn't apply to everyone Smile.
SoupDragon · 16/04/2022 09:11

I wouldn't want to keep getting my phone out where I can't keep a good, two handed grip on it.

It's hardly easier to set up payment options on your phone than it is to use a card you already have which requires no setting up at all.

Newnormal99 · 16/04/2022 09:13

If you register it you can check journeys and easily see if you had forgotten to scan out properly.

milcal · 16/04/2022 09:16

I was told that if I was only travelling in zones one and two then to use contactless as it works out cheaper. Use the same card though. I think it was around £7.70 per day using contactless. It makes it very easy as you don't have to queue for a ticket at the start of your day.

Have fun 😁

LittleBearPad · 16/04/2022 09:25

@SoupDragon

I wouldn't want to keep getting my phone out where I can't keep a good, two handed grip on it.

It's hardly easier to set up payment options on your phone than it is to use a card you already have which requires no setting up at all.

It took 5 seconds and my wallet is vastly less accessible than my phone which I’m usually reading or listening to walking through the station. I also don’t have to hold my phone in two hands at all times 🤨.
SoupDragon · 16/04/2022 09:29

Well, the police were actually telling people to keep a good hold of their phones when I was up there so 🤨 back at you.

Like I said, I have my contactless card in a wrist pouch, no getting my wallet out, safe and much more convenient than a phone.

Einszwei · 16/04/2022 09:29

It depends. Sometimes if you are travelling in by train, it is cheaper to upgrade the ticket to include a day 1-6 zone travel card. I think for me the differnce is about £2.50, so much cheaper than tapping in and out.

TabithaTittlemouse · 16/04/2022 09:33

Can I ask for someone who doesn’t have a contactless card, would an Oyster card or day travel card be better?

Original poster
cakeorwine · 16/04/2022 09:33

@Einszwei

It depends. Sometimes if you are travelling in by train, it is cheaper to upgrade the ticket to include a day 1-6 zone travel card. I think for me the differnce is about £2.50, so much cheaper than tapping in and out.
I thought of that - but we are parking and tubing in.
OP posts:
AtomicBlondeRose · 16/04/2022 09:40

Last time I was in London I noticed nearly everyone used their phones and I wished I had (used my card the first time and then was stuck using it as you can’t switch between card/Apple Pay even if it’s technically the same card).

MrsLargeEmbodied · 16/04/2022 09:55

ran into trouble when travelling with dd
i had a contactless card but could only it for me

MacaroniBaloney · 16/04/2022 10:25

Yes, how does it work for kids? Do you buy them a day ticket or is it better to then buy a family ticket?

AppleKatie · 16/04/2022 10:34

Kids don’t pay, so you just go through the big gates with your card and them.

LittleBearPad · 16/04/2022 10:35

@AppleKatie

Kids don’t pay, so you just go through the big gates with your card and them.
Or if you travel in London frequently you get them zip cards.
LittleBearPad · 16/04/2022 10:36

@SoupDragon

Well, the police were actually telling people to keep a good hold of their phones when I was up there so 🤨 back at you.

Like I said, I have my contactless card in a wrist pouch, no getting my wallet out, safe and much more convenient than a phone.

Easier for you. Not for me, possibly not for the OP.

No one has to hold their phone with two hands unless you’re Dom Joly.

AtomicBlondeRose · 16/04/2022 10:39

I was travelling alone with DS - he’s 10 so free on Tube etc, and we just went though the big gates after I’d tapped. He’s tallish so I was worried about people thinking he was older but I only got stopped once, and the man just asked his age then waved us through (he does look 10 tbf!). Very easy. And I think even easier on buses.

Getoutofbed25 · 16/04/2022 10:40

Kids over 10 need to pay, the best option as a tourist is to get an Oyster card and get a member of staff to set the half price travel for the length of your stay

Kids 10 abs under ho through the accessible gate, just a nod to a staff member and they open it, really easy

As an adult I used my debit card.

Interested to hear you can’t use phone/card combo if it’s the same card being charged? Is this how it works?