Insider Tips for Cheaper London Underground, TFL Bus & National Rail fares

Think London Underground cost is out of control? Think again! This guide is your ticket to cheaper travel across the capital. It is widely known that London has one of the world’s most expensive public transportation services. Especially, during peak times, one-way London underground costs can be as high as one-way flights to mainland Europe. However, you can take control of these costs and significantly reduce them.

Based on my personal experience, I have managed to save a significant amount on London’s public transport over the years. When I share these methods with my friends, they are often surprised at the potential savings I generate. So, you, too, can achieve substantial savings by following these tips. I’ll expose insider secrets to slashing those peak-time London Underground prices, help you find the best deals on London Underground tickets, and uncover hidden discounts on buses and National Rail.

I’m writing this article to pass on my knowledge to you. Whether you’re a daily commuter trying to make your paycheque stretch further or a tourist navigating London transport fares for the first time, I’ve got you covered with money-saving tips for everyone. While some of this information may be familiar to you, I also have deeper insights for those who want to delve further. If you’re already familiar with all these tips, let’s meet up and collaborate. Together, we can all benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences 🙂

Decoding London’s Transport Zones and Fares

This section is for everyone, whether you’re a newcomer to London, a resident looking for a change, or a tourist seeking adventure. I’ll provide vital information that’s relevant to you all, ensuring no one is left out 🙂

When you first look at the public transport map of London, it may seem quite overwhelming, but once you get used to it, it’s easier than it seems. London uses a Zone system similar to most European cities, so you only pay for the distance you travel. When you use the London Underground and National Rail Services, you simply tap your Oyster Card (the official travel card of London) or contactless debit/credit card on the yellow readers when you enter and exit the station. Sometimes, you may also need to tap your card on the pink readers when travelling between National Rail Services and the London Underground.

The system automatically calculates your fare based on the zones you travel through. If you use TFL bus services (the red ones, including double-deckers), you only need to pay when you board the bus. After you make your first payment, you can take other TFL buses for free within 1 hour.

You must understand two key points about London transport pricing: “Pay as you go” and “Caps and Travelcards.”

“Single Pay as you go” is, as we all know, a basic tariff. So you pay as you go.

Another critical point to understand is ‘Caps ‘. In simple terms, this means there’s a maximum amount you can spend in a day on public transport. Once you reach this limit, you won’t be charged for any additional journeys you make that day. This applies to the London Underground, TFL Buses, and National Rail Services, and you can continue to use them for free/unlimited until 04:00. The capped prices vary depending on the zone you are travelling to.

The ‘Travelcard‘ is an excellent option for local commuters. To get one, you first need an Oyster Card. You can load weekly, monthly, six-monthly, and annual travel plans onto this card in advance, allowing you to travel unlimitedly at reduced prices. This is particularly beneficial if you make the same journey regularly, as it can save you money compared to paying for each trip individually.

But do you think everyone is offered the same price? Of course not!

From now on, I will first discuss the discounts/savings everyone can benefit from and then move on to specific groups;

Essential Tips for Cheaper London Travel

Let’s start by discussing essential ways to save on transportation in London. This information is relevant to anyone using public transport in London. I’ll cover the fundamental money-saving tips for transportation. Even if this is not of interest to you, I suggest reading the other sections, too. For instance, in the tourist section, I’ll also be sure to cover airport transfers, which could be helpful to you. I aim to ensure you’re well-informed and guided in your London transportation journey.

• Avoid travelling during peak times unless necessary: To save money, avoid using the London Underground and National Rail Services from 06:30 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 19:00 on weekdays (not including public holidays). There is an exception: If you travel from a station outside Zone 1 to a station in Zone 1 between 16:00 and 19:00 on weekdays, you won’t have to pay peak-time fares since these are considered off-peak times. This rule doesn’t apply to TFL buses, so you can travel at the same rate at any time of the day.
• Consider using the London Overground for any part of your journey: London Overground services, easily identifiable by their distinctive orange colour on the map, operate in the outer areas of London and can help reduce your travel expenses. For example, suppose you use the Thameslink line of National Rail Services and transfer to the London Overground. In that case, you may notice a significant reduction in your fare when you reach your destination. However, remember that the London Overground can be quite slow, so there may be better options if you’re in a hurry.
• Do not cross the Thames River: When travelling in London, remember that crossing the Thames River can significantly increase transportation costs. If you are travelling between the north and south sides of the river, consider getting off at the stop before crossing and walking the rest of the way if it’s convenient.
• Go up to Zone 2: When travelling to Central London, consider getting off at one of the stops in Zone 2 to save money on your fare. Going from Zone 3–9 to Zone 2 and Zone 1 can result in significant price differences, so keep this in mind when planning your journey. The closest Zone 2 stops to Central London are St John’s Wood, Camden Town, Kentish Town, Hoxton, Whitechapel, Bermondsey, Elephant & Castle, Vauxhall, Earl’s Court, Clapham Junction, and Notting Hill Gate.
• Use rental bikes/scooters: You have the option to use rental bikes or scooters for all or part of your journey. Fortunately, London has numerous bike-sharing platforms, including Lime, Forest, Voi, and Santander Cycles. Purchasing a daily pass from these platforms can save you even more money. Both biking and scootering are healthy, enjoyable, and cost-effective options.
• Buy tickets from Train Ticket sellers instead of Oyster or Contactless Card: Consider purchasing tickets from train ticket sellers instead of using Oyster or Contactless Cards, as tickets bought from these sellers can sometimes be cheaper than the standard fares. You can purchase transportation tickets (maybe offered as paper tickets or e-tickets) from Omio, Trainpal, Trip.com, and Trainline, which often provide discounts. You can regularly check for the latest campaigns on these platforms on BudgetFitter to save more money.
• Use Network Railcard, Gold Card or Two Together Railcard: If you’re under 31, you can use a Railcard to get cheaper transportation (I’ll discuss this further below). If you’re over 31 and not eligible for other discount groups (such as seniors, disabled individuals, or veterans), you have three options: the Network Railcard, the Two Together Railcard, and the Gold Card. The Network Railcard is available to everyone in the south of England and offers savings on transport fares in London. The Two Together Railcard also provides discounts on trains throughout the UK, but it requires two people to travel together to use it. You can find the current deals on the Railcard Deals & Discount page. After you buy a card, you must select the “Network Railcard” option when purchasing a train ticket from the designated websites I mentioned above to use these Railcards. Lastly, the Gold Card also offers nationwide discounts but requires you to top up your Oyster card with the annual unlimited transport plan mentioned earlier. This will also get you a Gold Card.
• Register your payment method with TFL to be eligible for refunds: I recommend registering all your transportation payment methods with TFL by creating an account on their official website, whether an Oyster or a Contactless Card. This will protect you from fraud if your cards are lost and provide some refund advantages. For example, you can request a refund if the London Underground service is 15 minutes late.
• Remember to check your transactions to avoid being overcharged: Sometimes, even if you tap your card, there may be system problems, and it might not register your journey correctly, resulting in you being charged the highest fare for Zone 9. To prevent this, you should register your payment method in your TFL account and regularly review your expenses. If you notice any discrepancies, you can contact them for a refund.
• Consider using a reward credit card on transportation: Even if it is not directly related to transportation, you can reap long-term benefits with this approach, as transportation fees are expenses that we frequently incur. Credit cards like AMEX and Yonder offer points for every purchase. By doing this, you can collect and redeem points for all your transportation expenses.
• Check fares before you start your journey: Before starting your trip, it’s essential to check the fares. This can be done by visiting the “Single fare finder” and “Caps and Travelcard prices” pages on TFL’s official website. Doing this lets you plan your journey and calculate the cost using different travel options. While apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Citymapper provide journey planning, they do not display discounted prices. So, a more viable option is referring to TFL’s official website for accurate pricing information.

Extra Savings on London Underground Cost for Students & Young Adults

Hey guys, this section is for you. While it’s a bummer that I won’t be eligible for this discount anymore since I will turn 31 this year, you still have a chance to benefit from it :). First, I hope you’ve already read the “discount for everyone” section, as it’s essential for all of us. There are additional ways to save even more, so let’s review them now.

• Purchase a Railcard and link it with your Oyster Card: Railcards, which I discussed in the “discounts for everyone” section, offer even more substantial discounts for young people. Depending on your age, you can buy a 16–17 Saver, 16–25 Railcard, or a 26–30 Railcard (don’t worry if it says 30; you can purchase it until your 31st birthday). They make for a smoother transition into older ages 🙂. When you buy a Railcard, check the discounts available on the Railcard Deals & Discount page. Once you have chosen the Railcard that suits you, visit the nearest London Underground station and inform the station attendant that you would like to link your Railcard with your Oyster Card. They will take care of the rest. After doing so, you can travel with your Oyster Card at a discounted rate on London Underground and National Rail services.
• Use Student Oyster Card with Travelcard: If you top up your Student Oyster Card with a Travelcard monthly or annually, you can save 30% on school travel. Since you already know this very well, I don’t need to go into detail.
• Buy tickets from Train Ticket sellers instead of Oyster or Contactless Card: I mentioned this above. Sometimes, buying tickets from train ticket sellers is better than using Oyster or Contactless cards. Young people can get more discounts when purchasing tickets from these sellers because they have a special Railcard.

London Travel Hacks for Tourists

Perhaps you’re lamenting, ‘London is too expensive; we came here for three days, and it didn’t stop raining.‘ Maybe we can’t do anything about the weather, but we can manage the ‘expensive’ part a little more. Assuming that you have read the ‘for everyone‘ part above, I would like to address other things related to tourists:

• If you’re a tourist visiting London, you don’t need to buy an Oyster Card: Instead of purchasing an Oyster Card and paying extra, you can use your debit or credit card as a Contactless Card payment method. If your bank charges you due to the exchange rate difference, consider using debit card services like Revolut and Currensea, which allow you to spend fee-free abroad.
• Remember to register your payment method with TFL: You can do this by opening a free account on the TFL website. Registering your payment method will enable you to manage your transport expenses and request a refund if necessary.
• Do not use Express trains to airports (because there are alternatives): When travelling from the airports, it’s best to avoid using Express trains because other cost-effective options are available. It’s common for ticket vendors to promote these trains, making it seem like the best choice. However, purchasing a more expensive Express train ticket just to save 15 minutes may not be necessary, especially if you’re not in a hurry. Instead of buying special train tickets from services like Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Luton Express, and Stansted Express by Greater Angelia, you can use your Oyster Card or Contactless Card for travel from London Heathrow, London City, and London Gatwick airports to the city centre. Additionally, consider purchasing round-trip train tickets from Omio, Trainpal, Trip.com, or Trainline for even more significant savings on airport transfers. When travelling by bus, you can check out Omio, National Express, Flibco, Terravision, and Megabus for round-trip discounts. To save money on trips to all airports, it’s also advisable to travel during off-peak times.
• Consider purchasing an Interrail/Eurail Global Pass if you plan to travel to the UK by train: Despite Brexit, the UK is still covered by the Interrail Pass. With the Interrail/Eurail Global or One Country Great Britain Pass, you’ll have unlimited train travel when you journey to London by train. These passes can be used for travel to London from Mainland Europe, including Eurostar, and for travel within the UK on National Rail Services and intercity trains. Remember that these passes cannot be used on London Underground services but are valid on most trains that stop at many points in Central London, such as Thameslink, Elizabeth Line, London Overground, Great Western Railway, and South Western Railway. For more detailed information, you can visit the Interrail website.

Your London Travel Savings Checklist

Navigating London’s transport network doesn’t have to be a costly affair. By understanding the fare system and utilizing the tips outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce your travel expenses. Whether you’re a local commuter or a first-time visitor, make savvy choices, embrace the journey, and enjoy all London offers without breaking the bank! Here is the your London travel savings checklist to consider:

• Get an Oyster card or contactless debit/credit card: This will allow you to take advantage of caps and discounts on public transport.
• Avoid peak times: Travel outside of rush hour (06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00 on weekdays) to save money on fares.
• Use the London Overground: It’s often cheaper than the Underground in outer zones, and you can transfer between them seamlessly.
• Walk or bike for short distances: It’s a great way to save money and get some exercise.
• Check for discounts: Look for student discounts, Railcards, and other special offers on TFL’s website. Or visit our website’s “Transportation Deals” section to discover valuable platforms, methods and discounts for your transportation needs in London.
• Plan your journey in advance: Use TFL’s Journey Planner to find the cheapest and most efficient route.
• Register your payment method: This will help you track your expenses and get refunds if needed.
• Review your transactions: Regularly check your statements to ensure you’re not being overcharged.
• Consider using a contactless payment method: This can make your journeys smoother and more convenient.
• Take advantage of free travel on TFL buses after your first payment: This is a great way to save money on short trips.
• Use the Night Tube: If you need to travel late at night, the Night Tube offers a convenient and affordable option.
• Check for special events or promotions: There may be times when you can get free or discounted travel on public transport.

By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can unlock affordable travel, explore hidden corners of the city, and make the most of your London experience.