Outside of central London zone 1 you can normally (some exceptions) pay
once you are onboard and a pass bought beforehand will ensure you are not
caught without change. Buses will often refuse to take you if you do not
have the correct fare. Please note that in central London zone 1 and also on
all bendy
buses you cannot actually pay on the bus itself. You must purchase your
ticket from the machine at that bus stop or use your
Oyster Card. It's clearly noted on
all bus stops which routes using that stop need to be paid for before
getting on the bus (normally in bright yellow).
Bus tickets can be purchased from machines by bus stops, London underground
stations, tourist information centres and some newsagents.
As with all modes of London transport bus fares operate according to the
zones you are travelling in.
You can buy daily and weekly bus passes allowing unlimited use of the system
during that period.
Bus saver tickets are available which is a book of 6 single fare tickets.
Buses accept the oyster pre pay system.
If you would like to ride on a traditional old fashioned double decker routemaster bus in central London
then routes 9 (Hammersmith to Aldwych) and 15 (Paddington to Blackwall) still
use them at certain times of the day.
Hopper fares:
Make a journey using pay as you go (any form of contactless such as debit and
credit card or Oyster) on a bus or tram, and you can make a second bus or tram
journey for free within one hour of touching in on the first bus or tram.
You must touch in using the same card on the second bus or tram as you used for
the first journey. The free fare will then be applied automatically.
Exceptions:
You make a journey on Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line,
River Bus or National Rail services between the first and second bus or tram
journey
Your Oyster card has a negative pay as you go balance after the first journey.
If you clear the negative balance within one hour of touching in, you can still
make the second journey for free
You use an Oyster card to change from a tram to a bus at Wimbledon station. For
these journeys, an automatic refund for the second fare will be paid to your
Oyster card
Buses and Trams - Child Fares
under 16's free.
Under-5s Must be accompanied by someone using a valid ticket, Oyster PAYG or has
a freedom pass.
5 to 10yrs free, do not need to be accompanied, do not need a ticket or Oyster Photocard
11 to 15yrs free when using an Zip Oyster Photocard
Those 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education or on a
work-based learning scheme and live in a
London borough can travel free on buses and
trams with a 16+ Oyster photocard (also gives 50% discount on adult rate on
Tube, DLR and London Overground services and Travelcard season tickets)
18+ students in full-time education
and attending colleges or
schools registered with TfL are eligible for
18+ Student Oyster photocards to buy
Bus & Tram Pass and Travelcard season tickets at
30% off the adult-rate.
BUS FARES AND TRAM FARES WITH CHEAPER OYSTER ALTERNATIVE
Since 2015 journeys by bus must be paid by a casheless method, you cannot use cash on a London bus.
BUS AND TRAM | ||||
Oyster/Contactless/cashless Single Fare | Cash Single fare | |||
£1.50 | cash not accepted paper single tickets are available from all ticket machines at tram stops and cost £2.60 |
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Oyster/Contactless Caps (the most you will pay in one day paying with an Oyster or Contactless Card) USING BUS AND TRAM SERVICES ONLY |
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Bus and Tram only daily use capped at £4.50 for Oyster and Contactless payment | ||||
Season Tickets Bus & Tram Pass - Adult |
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1 Day | 7 Day | Monthly | Annual | |
All London | £5 | £21.20 | £81.50 | £848 |