How to Get the Best Tube Fare

Travelling around London can be expensive and in rush hour traffic can be a nightmare. One of the cheapest and fastest ways to travel around the capital is on the tube. Here is our guide to finding the cheapest fares.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Valid ID (passport, driving licence or student card)

Students and Children Under 18

1. Children under 18 and students can receive discount rates in the tube and transport network, but they will need to prove their age before doing so.
2. Those under 11 are entitled to free transport on the tube, and when travelling with an adult they will not be required to buy a ticket. When they get to the entrance barrier the station steward will automatically let them through.
3. Those under 15 will need to order an Oyster photo card to benefit from discount travel throughout the tube. They can purchase child rate tickets from the station but will need to have ID on them to prove their age.
4. Discount rates are also available for all 16- and 17-year-olds in full-time education or on a work-based learning scheme living in London. They will need a photo oyster card to benefit from the discount.

Get an Oyster Card

5. If you will be travelling around London for a number of days, the easiest way to obtain the best fare is by buying an Oyster Card. They are the London transport network's smart card that can be used on all buses, trains, trams and the Dockland Light Railway.
6. You can buy an Oyster Card from all London Underground stations prior to your journey. There is a small one off payment for the card, which can be used over and over again.
7. Once you buy the Oyster Card you need to decide whether to "pay as you go" or purchase a weekly/monthly season ticket. Pay as you go is exactly as it sounds, you top up the card and pay as you use, whereas a monthly or weekly ticket means you can travel as much as you want for one fixed rate.
8. Once you have your card, register it online or at any London underground station. If your card gets lost or stolen you can order a new one without losing any money.
9. Students living and studying in London are entitled to a 35 percent discount, but they must fill in a London Underground form given out at universities and colleges at the beginning of term. The form needs to have an official stamp from the institution and students must send off £5 with the form.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy in advance as queues can be extremely long, especially on a Monday morning!
• Buying monthly or weekly season tickets can be the best way to get the cheapest fare if you care not entitled to a discount or only traveling around London for one day.