Question on the London Underground [fare payment]

Parent Cafe Travel
1

I have been reading last year’s thread on London and have found it helpful but I have a question. Four of us will be in London a few days before our tour and I figure we might take the Tube to get around. I see that you can tap with your charge card to get on and again to get off and that everyone needs their own card. What happens when one person doesn’t have a credit card like the 16 year old with us? Can we use our card for him? Can I use a different credit card of mine? Thanks. It’s these little things that throw me.

2

He will need his own form of payment. You can order a visitor Oyster card for him before you go which will come preloaded with a set amount already on it and can then top it up as needed or you can just buy an Oyster card when you arrive for about 10 pounds and then you add money to it as needed.

5 Likes
3

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/ways-to-pay?intcmp=80091

Here’s the link for the Underground page. You can learn Oyster cards work.

1 Like
4

Yes, as long as it’s a different card from the one you tapped yourself (the rule is one card per person per trip) — and remember to each tap out with the same card.

Two other alternatives:

  1. Either of you can use Apple or Google pay. As far as I know it counts as separate from the physical credit card even if it uses the same card.

  2. Get Oyster cards

5

We used our phones and I just put my card in my teens’ wallets. Make sure whatever cc you use doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.

1 Like
6

The Oyster cards are super convenient and easy to use.

2 Likes
7

We have Oyster cards that we take to London every time we go. They are easy to put money on and easy to use.

1 Like
8

Just get an oyster card. It works just like other cards used for subways around the world. You just top it off and use it when you go on the tube. Easy peasy.

2 Likes
9

And just to reiterate, even though the visitor Oyster Card is pay as you go, multiple people cannot use the same card for the same ride

5 Likes
10

I’d suggest getting Oyster cards for the tube. While using a phone or contactless card is convenient, it requires pulling them out at every gate—which signals exactly where you keep your valuables. Or in the rush you might drop them and not notice. I’d much rather lose a transit card than a credit card or phone.

Also, just a heads-up to be careful with your phone in tourist areas. Thieves on e-bikes are known for quick ‘grab-and-runs,’ a trend recently covered by NBC https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SbPJFeyoqfY and the NYT at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/world/europe/london-police-phone-theft-china-gang.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eFA.pW-e.W5WB42GeNxB6&smid=url-share We love London and can’t wait to go back, but it’s worth being a little extra cautious

2 Likes
11

Thanks, everyone. I’m getting excited about this trip and we will be careful @Mikemac. Years ago, my daughter’s friend in an outdoor cafe had her laptop stolen underneath her fingers by a guy on a motorbike. Dang thieves!

1 Like