London oyster card question

Soph

Does anyone know whether it is better to get an Oyster card online in advance (going to London 18-20 Jan) or whether it's better to pay the £3 deposit and get it when we get there?

Is there any difference (obviously apart from the £3 deposit!)?

Also, we are staying 3 days so would you think topping each card up (2 adults) by £15 each would be best to cover our all travel. If we do this and don't use the full £15 each, do you get a refund when you hand the card back?

If there's no particular benefit to getting it when we get there, I was thinking it would be more convenient to get it and top it up online in advance so it's one less thing we need to do when we get there.

I've looked on the tfl website but there's so much info on there I'm getting a bit befuddled! Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help me.

Soph

Horace

Don;t know basically how much it is on the tube but with an Oyster card a single fare is 90p as opposed to £2 per journey on the bus if you paid cash. Don't know about handing them back in and getting a refund because I use mine all the time (I live in Brum and visit London a lot). My card currently has £20 on it which will last me a full 12 months or possibly longer.

Depends if you want to pay £3 in a shop or buy online - best bet would be to go to a shop and get one that way you can top it up whilst you are there.

[Deleted User]

There won't be any financial difference, but I would say you'd find it easier buying in advance. This is just because it's not always obvious where to buy oyster cards from when you get to London.

Do it now, there's no difference and like you said, it's one less thing to do when you arrive

edit: just thinking MSE... there's an option of 'auto-top up' and a current offer of 5 free iTunes downloads... take a look at that on their site, may work out cheaper (no wasted top-ups) and with free music

Dmoz

Buy online - As much as £3 is neither here nor there (especially considering it's a deposit) you'll thank yourself if you get into London (for example Via Kings X) and then would have to queue to get the card. Buying online allows you to top up online too, and beat the queues.

Also: Don't get a refund on the card. Oyster credit will NEVER expire, and I doubt this is going to be your last trip. It's better to keep the card.

misssaver12

It does make life easier. Getting money back off it was no issue for me as i transfered my account from my oyster card to my barclays oyster card and the guy at the ticket office was great about sorting it out.

I would get it in advance as well as it may save you some long queues at the station.

Remember always to swipe in and out and check it has been done - if you don't and i did this once you pay full fare.

I agree don't both with refunding - keep the card as it will be used if you come to London again - and i think the 3.00 is actually credited to your account to spend. ( i could be wrong as mine was one of the free deals)

davetrousers

£15 might not be quite enough for 3 days.

Cost is capped at £5.20 per day (not including peak rate travel I think) therefore 3 x £5.20 is £15.60.

Order your card online and you will receive it in a few days

On buses you only touch in when you get on the bus, not when you get off.

pintofmilk

Would ordering online incur delivery charges? I would put £12 on each card unless you anticipate doing lots of travel each day, in which case put £15 on each.

Enjoy London - do you need any nightlife advice?

dzug

Don't buy on line unless you allow over a week for it to get to you - the delivery service is slow and unreliable. Whilst they say they despatch the same or next day, they don't - it can be several days.

Unless things have changed in the last few weeks, you still pay the £3 deposit if you buy on line.

sarahluv

davetrousers wrote: »

£15 might not be quite enough for 3 days.

Cost is capped at £5.20 per day (not including peak rate travel I think) therefore 3 x £5.20 is £15.60.

Order your card online and you will receive it in a few days

On buses you only touch in when you get on the bus, not when you get off.

the cost is capped at £4.80 for off peak 1-2 travel and £6.30 for peak.

if you only use buses, the cost is capped at £3

davetrousers

sarahluv wrote: »

the cost is capped at £4.80 for off peak 1-2 travel and £6.30 for peak.

Are you sure? I was definitely charged £5.20 but I was in zones 1 to 3

dzug

davetrousers wrote: »

Are you sure? I was definitely charged £5.20 but I was in zones 1 to 3

Zones 1-3 is £5.20 (or was, just gone up to £5.40) Saraluv's prices are correct (new fares) for 1-2.