If you’re a daily commuter, you’ll hit a daily cap. For buses only, that’s £5.25—so after three rides, the fourth is free. Beat that, Pret subscription. And if you mix buses with Tube or trains, the cap rises to £8.50 (zone 1-2) or more, but that’s a whole other story. Pro tip: if you’re bouncing around like a pinball, don’t overthink it—just tap.
What about kids? Under-11s ride free on buses, no questions asked. Yes, free. It’s like the universe finally gave parents a tiny, dusty victory. And if you’re on a zip card (for 11-15 year olds), it’s half price—about 87p. I still mourn the day I turned 16 and lost that privilege.
The Oyster vs. Contactless showdown
You can use an Oyster card—a funky plastic disc you pre-load—or just tap any contactless card or phone. Here’s the catch: contactless is often cheaper because it automatically calculates the best fare for your whole day. Oysters do that too, but you’ll need to register it online for daily caps to kick in, which is a bit like doing your taxes on a hangover. Just use your phone; it’s the lazy person’s cheat code.
How Much Is The Bus Fare _ Transport For London Bus Prices – DXKDD
For visitors, there’s a Visitor Oyster Card you can buy online or in shops. It looks cute, costs £7 upfront (you get that back when you leave), and comes loaded with credit. But honestly? Your regular debit card from home works fine, as long as it’s got the little contactless logo. I’ve watched tourists tap their Amex and look shocked when it works. Yes, mate, your fancy card is now a bus pass.
