Question 1

What is the daily limit or “daily cap”?

Accepted Answer

If you use multiple means of transport or travel on several different routes in one day, you’ll soon reach the maximum daily amount. From then on, you will no longer be charged the fare for each individual journey. Instead, a day pass will be charged to your card retrospectively. You then pay the amount of the so-called “daily cap”, which ranges between £6.80 and £12.50. The price of this ticket depends on the zones you have traveled through up until that point, and is always 50 pence cheaper with the Oyster Card than a day ticket purchased at a ticket machine.

Question 2

What happens if I overdraw the credit balance on my Oyster Card?

Accepted Answer

Overdrawing the credit balance on your Oyster Card doesn’t mean you can travel around for free on the last day of your vacation. In this case, the amount owed will be deducted from the £5 deposit. You can settle this negative amount the next time you top up your card, or simply retain the card instead of returning it and forfeit your left-over credit. Unreturned cards are valid for up to 2 years since the date of last use. On expiry, they can be reactivated at a TfL center at no extra charge. Further information about the Oyster Card.

Question 3

How much money should I load onto my card?

Accepted Answer

That depends on how long you’re planning to stay in London and what zones you’ll be traveling in. As a general guide, you can expect to pay £10 on public transport for everyday you’re in London. If you’ve budgeted a higher amount and there’s some left-over credit on your card, you can easily have it refunded.

Question 4

What happens if you forget to swipe your card through the electronic reader when leaving the station?

Accepted Answer

That’s something you can’t forget. Whenever you enter or leave a station, you’ll need to use your card. The only exceptions to this rule are stations outside Central London. Even if there isn’t a ticket barrier or turnstile, you’ll still need to check out the journey on arrival at your destination. Failure to do so will result in the longest route automatically being charged to your Oyster Card, which means you’ll end up paying more than necessary.

Transportation

The Ultimate Guide to Navigating London Public Transport

Unveiling the Beauty of Amsterdam and Beyond with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Amsterdam GVB: Your Ultimate Guide to Multi-Day Tickets and Unlimited Travel

How to use Amsterdam’s Public Transportation? All Tips & Tricks

Exploring London with the Oyster Card