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Contactless and mobile pay as you go

How and where you can use a contactless card or mobile device for adult rate pay as you go travel.

Contactless card or mobile device Pay As You Go (PAYG)

You can use a contactless card or mobile device to pay for Adult rate Standard Class travel on most National Rail services in London Zones 1-9, as well as bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth Line services. Fares and daily caps are the same as with Oyster PAYG.

It isn’t possible to use a contactless card or mobile device to pay for:

  • First Class travel
  • Child rate travel
  • Travel if you have a Railcard or any other card which gives you discount on your rail fare

With contactless payment there is no need to top up or queue for tickets at the station. Just touch your contactless card or mobile device on a yellow card reader to pay for your journey, the same as you would with your Oyster card. It makes getting around the capital so easy.

For more details on using your contactless card or mobile device including the benefits of PAYG caps and creating a contactless account with Transport for London (TfL), please visit contactless.tfl.gov.uk.

Using a Contactless card or mobile device for journeys outside of London Zones 1-9

You can also use a contactless card or mobile device for Adult rate Standard Class PAYG travel for some journeys that go beyond London Zones 1-9.

Please visit Transport for London - Tube and Rail, to view where PAYG can be used to pay for Adult rate Standard Class PAYG travel.

As PAYG using a contactless card or mobile device is based on single fares, and unlike Oyster cards it’s not possible to add any Railcard discount, there are occasions when PAYG may not be the cheapest option for your combination of journeys.

It also isn’t possible to pay for Child rate travel or travel in First Class accommodation using PAYG with a contactless card or mobile device.

If you’re travelling between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, the price you pay for your journey will depend on whether you use a Gatwick Express or a Southern train service.

With a higher charge being applied for travel on the non-stop Gatwick Express service.

To check whether PAYG is the best option for your journey, please visit:

For details of caps for stations beyond London Zones 1-9, please visit Transport for London - National Rail fares, caps and Travelcards beyond Zone 9.

Some things to remember

Always use the same device or contactless card to touch in and out to pay the right fare for your journey.

For example, don't touch in with an iPhone and touch out with an Apple Watch or contactless card.

Always touch in and out

Always touch in and out on a yellow card reader with your contactless card or mobile device at the start and end of your journey (even if the gates are open) to ensure you pay the right fare. When changing trains you may need to touch your contactless card or mobile device on a pink reader.

If you're travelling on a bus or tram you only have to touch in.

Please visit Transport for London - Touching in and out for more information, including details of what you will be charged if your don’t touch in or out correctly.

Find out more about contactless and mobile PAYG

Please visit Transport for London - Contactless and mobile pay as you go, where you can also see the benefits of PAYG caps and creating a contactless account with Transport for London (TfL).

The Contactless payment cards conditions of use sets out your rights and obligations when you use contactless to pay for travel on National Rail services. They apply in addition to the National Rail Conditions of Travel which you can view at National Rail - Your Rights and Obligations as a Passenger.