What are contactless payment cards?
Most UK banks now issue their debit, credit, charge or pre-paid cards as contactless cards. This means you can use them for purchases under £30 with no need for a PIN or signature - just touch your card on a contactless card reader.
Some other methods of contactless payment are accepted on our services, including mobile phone apps, key fobs, stickers and wristbands.
If you're travelling with other people, each person must have their own card. You can't share the same contactless card to pay for travel.
If you've got a contactless card but haven't used it yet, you might need to make a chip and PIN payment elsewhere before you can use it for contactless payments.
Find out more about
mobile payments and other methods of contactless payment.
Can I use my UK card to travel?
If your card was issued in the UK on Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or American Express and displays the contactless payment symbol (shown above), you should be able to use it to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line, River Bus and most National Rail services in London.
You can't use contactless payment cards issued on other platforms, such as Diners Club, JCB or Union Pay.
Some UK card providers don't currently issue contactless payment cards. You can't use your payment card to travel on our services if:
- It does not display the contactless symbol
- Your issuer has not advised you that it can be used for contactless payments
Even if it can't be used for contactless travel, you can still use your payment card to buy tickets at ticket machines at stations.
If you're not sure if your card is contactless, check with your card issuer. To get more information about contactless payment cards, go to the
UK Cards Association website.
Non-UK contactless cards
Most contactless cards issued outside the UK can be used to buy tickets or top up an Oyster card at ticket machines at Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL rail stations, at ticket offices and
Visitor Centres, even if they can't be used for contactless travel.
The list below shows which cards issued outside the UK are accepted for contactless travel.