Is pay as you go with contactless the cheapest option for me?

It depends on how often you travel and if you are eligible for a discount on your train ticket.

When you use pay as you go with contactless, you’ll be charged an adult fare for your journey on the day and time of your travel. For most people, this fare is the same as a ticket bought on the day. If you make multiple journeys into or within London, you could also benefit from daily and Monday to Sunday capping.

Pay as you go with contactless may not always be the cheapest way to pay for your journey. For example:

• If you have a Railcard or are eligible for other discounts (like a Child discount), it may be cheaper to buy a ticket for your journey. Currently discounts cannot be applied to pay as you go with contactless.
• If you make the same journey regularly, buying a Season ticket (weekly, monthly, annual or Flexi) may be better value.
• In some cases, you may find a cheaper fare if you book your ticket in advance of your journey.

Find your pay as you go with contactless fare.

Find out if you could save with a Season ticket.

Do Railcard discounts apply?

No. Railcard discounts do not apply to contactless fares.

Children and Railcard holders will normally be better off buying a ticket (unless your Railcard discount is not valid at that time).

Will contactless be cheaper than paper tickets?

In most cases, contactless fares should be the same price, or slightly less than paper tickets.

Why does the rollout of pay as you go with contactless mean fares for tickets have changed?

Pay as you go with contactless fares are based on a single journey between two stations. To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go with contactless as similar as possible, single tickets now cost around half the price of a return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey. Some ticket types, such as Super Off-Peak and Saver returns, were withdrawn as part of fares simplification in December 2025.

Evening peak restrictions have been aligned on tickets and pay as you go with contactless, for journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available. Evening peak times apply 16.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday, if you are travelling from or via a London station, or for any part of a journey on any train heading away from London. Evening peak times do not apply to Day Travelcards.

Can I still buy a ticket instead of using pay as you go with contactless?

Yes, you can still buy tickets for your journey.

Can I still use Oyster cards?

Oyster will not be accepted for travel to the new pay as you go with contactless stations. Oyster cards can still be used on routes where it is valid. These have not changed.

Will there be capping?

If you use the same contactless card or device for every journey, you could benefit from daily and Monday to Sunday capping.

A pay as you go with contactless daily cap is calculated over 24 hours, starting at 04:30 and ending at 04:29 the next day.

If the same contactless card or device is used to pay for all your journeys throughout the week, you will also be eligible for a Monday to Sunday cap.

The pay as you go with contactless fare is capped at either a peak rate, off-peak rate, or a Monday to Sunday rate. You must remember to continue to tap in and out for every journey you make.

Depending on how often you travel and where you’re travelling to, it may be better value to buy a Season ticket (weekly, monthly, annual or Flexi Season).

Please note, capping is not available for pay as you go with contactless journeys that don't include travel in London Zones 1 to 9.

Daily and weekly caps will be applied automatically by TfL’s billing system. You can check your journey history using the TfL Go app, and if after ten days there are any discrepancies that have not been automatically refunded, you'll need to contact TfL’s customer service team on 0343 222 1234.

How can I work out the cost of pay as you go with contactless journey before travel?

You can use the Transport for London (TfL) single fare finder or the GA website/app to find the cost of a pay as you go with contactless journey between any two stations on National Rail, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line services where pay as you go with contactless is accepted.

How will through journeys onto London Underground work?

Through journeys will be charged in the same way as Oyster works now. The system will not assume the journey ends at interchange stations such as Liverpool Street.

What if I change train operators (e.g. GA to c2c)?

You will be charged the correct fare for the full journey, the same as using a paper ticket currently.

Who deals with incomplete journeys? TfL or GA?

Payment is taken by TfL, so you’ll need contact TfL directly with any issues.

What if I tap by mistake or if I’m charged incorrectly?

TfL is responsible for resolving errors and issuing refunds. To contact Transport for London (TfL) who process all pay as you go with contactless payments, you can use the TfL Oyster & Contactless Helpline: 0343 222 1234

What if someone is charged twice?

This is most likely if different payment methods are used to tap in and out. Please contact TfL for a refund.

Can I pay for more than one person using pay as you go with contactless?

No, you cannot use one contactless card or device to pay as you go for multiple people. Each person must use a separate contactless card.

It may be cheaper to buy paper tickets for some journeys.

What causes most incomplete journeys?

Common causes include:

• Using different cards or devices to tap in and out
• Forgetting to tap out
• A contactless device running out of battery

What should I do if my journey includes a rail replacement bus during engineering works?

When rail replacement buses are in operation due to engineering works, passengers are advised to buy a ticket or eTicket before they travel.

Will all cards work for Contactless?

If a UK-issued bank card shows the contactless payment symbol, it can be used to pay as you go at an adult rate. Pay as you go is also available with contactless devices such as phones, watches, key fobs, stickers and wristbands that have been linked to a valid debit or credit card.

Many contactless cards issued outside the UK can be used to pay as you go (overseas transaction fees may apply).

How will charges appear on a bank statement?

One charge is normally taken at the end of the day for all journeys made, with capping applied where relevant. The description may vary by bank but should be identifiable as TfL contactless travel.

Daily and weekly caps will be applied automatically by TfL’s billing system. You can check your journey history using the TfL Go app, and if after ten days there are any discrepancies that have not been automatically refunded, you'll need to contact TfL’s customer service team on 0343 222 1234.

What if I do not have enough money in my account?

If sufficient funds are available to start a journey, you will always be allowed to exit. Fare calculation happens overnight and TfL will pursue any unpaid balance.

Where can I see pay as you go with contactless journey details?

You can see up to 7 days of journey history on the Transport for London (TfL) website.

To see more than 7 days of journey history, you will need to set up a TfL account.

How do I apply for Delay Repay on pay as you go with contactless?

You can apply for Delay Repay by providing the train company you travelled with a statement of your journey from Transport for London (TfL). Automated Delay Repay is not available on pay as you go with contactless.

When will I be charged for my pay as you go with contactless journey?

You will usually be charged for your pay as you go with contactless journey within 3 days.

My device ran out of battery and so I couldn’t touch out at the end of my journey. What can I do?

If you are using pay as you go with a contactless device, it is your responsibility to make sure you have enough battery to complete your journey. If you do not touch out because your device has run out of battery, this will show as an incomplete journey and you will be charged a maximum fare. If you do not have a valid ticket for your whole journey, you may be liable to pay a full fare or Penalty Fare. The Penalty Fare is £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for the intended journey. If it is paid within 21 days, the Penalty Fare is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare applicable.

The gates are open. Do I still need to touch out?

Yes, you must always touch in and out with your contactless card or device, even if the gates are open, to ensure you pay the correct fare. If there are no gates, you need to use a freestanding card reader next to entrances, exits or on platforms. If you do not touch out, this will show as an incomplete journey and you will be charged a maximum fare.

Will Freedom Passes be accepted?

Rules remain unchanged. Freedom Passes are not valid beyond their existing boundaries and are not valid in the new Contactless area.

How should Freedom Pass holders travel beyond the boundary?

You should buy a paper or barcode extension ticket as you currently do. This is simpler and may be cheaper, especially if you hold a Railcard.

Can Freedom Pass holders use contactless beyond the boundary?

In theory, yes, but it is complex and offers no real benefit. Different boundaries on London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and Greater Anglia make this impractical.

What happens if I break my journey (e.g. Witham → Chelmsford → Liverpool Street)?

You will be charged for two separate journeys.

If total travel reaches the Witham daily cap, no additional charge will apply.

Is contactless suitable for Break of Journey?

No. Customers making a single journey with a break would usually be better off buying a paper ticket.

What if someone taps in during peak but travels off-peak?

Charges are based on the time of tap-in.

Off-peak start times vary by station and are typically 5–10 minutes after the last peak train departs.

If you tap in before off-peak begins, you will be charged a peak fare.

Morning peak times apply 06:30 to 09:30, Monday to Friday.

Evening peak times apply 16:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, when you are travelling from or via a London station.

Journeys will be added up at the end of the day and you will receive one charge.

Any pay as you go with contactless journeys made between 16:00 and 19:00 will still count towards an off-peak cap.

Weekends and bank holidays are off-peak all day. All journeys are totalled at the end of the day and charged as a single amount.

Can I split fares using contactless?

No. Split ticketing requires leaving the train to tap out and in again and offers no advantage with Contactless. Paper or eTickets remain the best option for split ticketing.

Do I have to get off the train to split fares?

Yes. You would need to alight, tap out, and tap in again — or buy paper/barcode tickets in advance.

Is there any advantage to split ticketing with contactless?

No. Split ticketing works best with paper or eTickets.

Will period or Saver returns still be available in the new Contactless area?

No. Saver returns were withdrawn in the new contactless area as part of fares simplification in preparation for Contactless payments.

Will Contactless fares be more expensive?

Contactless fares are set at the same price, or slightly less than the single fare. Single fares in the contactless payment area are now half the price of a return.

Pay as you go with contactless may not always be the cheapest way to pay for your journey.

For example:

• Child tickets - for children aged between 5 and up to 15 years.
• Railcard
• Season tickets - If you makes the same journey regularly, buying a Season ticket (weekly, monthly, annual or Flexi) may be better value.
• Advance tickets - These fares may be cheaper to buy a ticket for certain journeys.

In readiness for the introduction of pay as you go contactless ticketing to a further 20 stations across the Greater Anglia network, fares were simplified on 7 December 2025.

Pay as you go contactless fares are based on a single journey between two stations. To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go with contactless as similar as possible, Single tickets now cost around half the price of a Return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey.

In addition, we’ve also aligned evening peak restrictions on tickets and pay as you go with contactless, for journeys where pay as you go with contactless will be available. Evening peak times apply 16:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, if you are travelling from or via a London station. Evening peak times do not apply to Day Travelcards.

Can I still buy a Return ticket?

Yes, you can still buy Return tickets.

On journeys where pay as you go contactless ticketing will be available, Single tickets now cost around half the price of a Return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey.

It may be cheaper to buy two Single tickets rather than buying a Return ticket, on journeys where pay as you go contactless will be available.

For example, if you make a peak journey in one direction and an off-peak journey in the other, then an Anytime Day Single plus an Off-Peak Day Single will be cheaper than an Anytime Day Return. 

Can I still buy a Period Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Off-Peak carnet ticket?

To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go contactless as similar as possible, these ticket types are no longer available on journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available. Passengers will either be charged a peak or off-peak fare instead.

Off-peak fares have also been reduced to reflect the removal of Super Off-Peak tickets.

Who do I contact if I have a problem?

If the problem is related to payments, unexpected charges, or refunds, please contact Transport for London (TfL) who process all pay as you go with contactless payments:

TfL Oyster & Contactless Helpline: 0343 222 1234