Special Offers – Oyster Fares Central

Brentwood off-peak fare anomaly

26/08/202101/01/2018 by Mike

An eagle eyed visitor has noticed that there’s an anomaly with off-peak fares from Brentwood (Z9) to Zone 1. The off-peak single fare for Brentwood to either Liverpool Street NR or LU is £5.50 but to any other Zone 1 LU station it is £5.40. This also includes passing through zone 1 and escaping the … Read more

Epsom – Off-peak travelcard loophole

26/08/202105/12/2014 by Mike

Now that the National Rail booking systems have the 2015 fares loaded it appears that there is a good way to undercut the price of a paper zone 1-6 travelcard. As we know, off-peak in boundary travelcards are being withdrawn from Jan 2nd, but out boundary ones will still exist. Epsom has long been one … Read more

2014 Fares Change postponed

26/08/202120/12/2013 by Mike

According to a Mayoral Decision earlier today, the TfL fares increase has been postponed until January 19th.

Games Maker Oyster extensions

26/08/202101/08/2012 by Mike

Continuing the farce that is the provision of free travel around London for volunteers, officials and competitors, I keep hearing about extensions to the validity of the zones 1-6 travelcard that most people have. Before it’s too late, this post will attempt to keep track of those that I can verify.

Oyster, the Olympics and HS1

26/08/202110/07/2012 by Mike

Wow, have the authorities managed to screw things up over the headline Javelin services to Stratford International. Ordinarily the HS1 line between St Pancras and Gravesend or Ashford via Stratford and Ebbsfleet is a premium service. As such, travelcards and Oyster cards are not valid on the services and there are no Oyster readers on the gatelines. But London 2012 is the public transport games and needs to be as simple as possible.

The end of the £3 deposit

26/08/202113/06/2011 by Mike

It seems that the machines which sell Oyster cards for £5 including £2 PAYG credit have all but been withdrawn. At London Bridge the machine has an “Out of Use” sticker over the money slot. I enquired with some contacts who confirmed that they are being withdrawn at the moment. Almost all central London machines … Read more

Royal Wedding Oyster Card

03/10/202130/03/2011 by Mike

The Mayor and Transport for London have announced a special commemorative version of the Oyster card will be available in the week leading up to the Royal Wedding. It will cost the usual £10 (£5 deposit and £5 PAYG balance) and be available from

Get new card with £3 deposit

26/08/202124/02/2011 by Mike

As part of the fares revision last month, TfL increased the deposit on new Oyster cards from £3 to £5. This is what you’ll pay online, at Oyster ticket stops and at station ticket offices. The deposit is refundable of course, but only when you surrender the card. However, at many underground stations there are … Read more

Special Offer – Get out of London

02/10/202116/06/2010 by Mike

I’ve come across a special promotion on the National Rail Enquiries website where adult Oystercard holders (and Freedom Pass holders) can escape from London for very low fares. £5 will get you a day return to many places just outside London while £20 will get you a saver return to places like Cardiff, Liverpool and Great Yarmouth. First Class fares are also available.