How to budget for transportation in London

Budget for approximately £15 per day if you stick to public transport and use a contactless card or Oyster card. This covers a daily cap that allows you to travel across Zones 1-2 as much as you want without paying for individual fares once you hit the limit.

1. Use a contactless card or mobile wallet. Don't buy paper tickets or travelcards. Use your contactless bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to 'tap in' and 'tap out' at the yellow readers. The system automatically calculates the cheapest fare for your day.
2. Understand daily capping. Transport for London (TfL) has a daily price cap. For Zones 1-2, the cap is £8.50. Once you spend that amount in one day, all further bus or tube rides in those zones are free for the rest of the day.
3. Prioritize buses for short trips. A single bus journey is a flat rate of £1.75, regardless of distance. If you are only going a few stops, take the bus instead of the Underground to save money.
4. Avoid the Heathrow Express. The Heathrow Express costs £25 one-way. Take the Elizabeth Line instead, which costs about £13.30 and takes only a few minutes longer to get to central London.

Should I buy an Oyster card?

If you have a contactless bank card or phone payment, there is no need to buy a physical Oyster card. They cost £7 to purchase, which is an unnecessary expense.

Does the daily cap include the Elizabeth Line?

Yes, but the daily cap is higher if you travel to Heathrow or zones beyond Zone 2. Stick to Zones 1-2 for the standard £8.50 cap.

Can I use cash on the bus?

No. London buses are entirely cashless. You must use a contactless card or a pre-loaded Oyster card.