How to travel in bus in the UK?

How to pay on a bus in the UK?

Alright, so you wanna hop on a bus in the UK, eh? Forget rummaging for loose change!

• London buses are card-only these days. Cash? Fuggedaboutit!

• Think of it like this: try paying with actual money and the bus driver will look at you like you tried to pay with a live badger. Not a good look. Speaking from experience, BTW, my pal Dave tried.

• Use your contactless card, Oyster card, or Travelcard. Boom! Done. Seriously, so easy a toddler could manage it.

• A single bus ride is £1.75, no matter where you’re going. Short trip, long trip, all the same price! Like a flat-rate taxi service, only slightly less luxurious and, you know, a bus.

So, what’s this Oyster card malarkey then?

• The Oyster card is a reusable travel card. It can be charged with credit so you can use the tube, bus, tram, etc., as a visitor.

• Tap the Oyster card on the yellow card reader as you enter the bus. The bus driver is NOT your cashier, remember this!!

Now you can jump on like a pro.

Do busses in the UK take card?

Cash? Forget it.

London buses: contactless payment only.

• Oyster card: Essential.
• Visitor Oyster card: For tourists, duh.
• Contactless debit/credit cards: Tap and go.
• Mobile pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay. Works.
• Travelcard? Still clinging to paper?

No change given. No exceptions.

How much does a UK bus cost?

Right, so buses in London… it’s all gone cashless now, yeah? You need an Oyster card, or those Travelcards, or just tap your bank card, you know, contactless.

The bus fare, straight up, is £1.75. Simple as that, no more coins!

But, if you’re, like, doing a proper day of bussing around, there’s a cap. It’ll only cost you, at most, £5.25 for a whole day. That’s kinda handy, innit?

Also, get this: you get free transfers! As long as it’s all within like, an hour of you tapping in on your first bus. It’s valid for bus to bus and bus to tram. So it’s good value all around.

Do UK buses still take cash?

Cash payments are generally discouraged on UK buses. They heavily promote the First Bus App for ticket purchases.

Contactless card payments are widely accepted onboard. This preference, it seems, aims to streamline boarding and reduce cash handling for drivers. Who can blame them?

It makes sense, really. Apps and cards provide digital records. Also, think of the speed. But, is something lost when cash disappears entirely?

Alternative payment methods are often available for those without apps or cards. This might include travel cards or passes.

• First Bus App
• Contactless card payments
• Travel cards

I had an odd moment last year trying to pay cash. So, I’m speaking from experience, a bit! You can’t even anymore.

Did I mention the app can be buggy? I recall it crashing once, during peak commute. Good times!

Is it cheaper to use an Oyster card or contactless?

Same price, you know. Oyster, contactless… usually the same. But not always, is it?

Except, those new stations. The edge of the city. The c2c line. Oyster doesn’t reach there. Contactless is the only way. It’s always something, isn’t it?

I remember getting caught out. Once. Rushing, late for work. Didn’t have my card, just my Oyster. Had to buy a whole new ticket. Felt like such a fool. Now, I always double-check.

It’s about convenience, I think. Really. Having options. Even if, sometimes, those options are…uneven. Contactless offers wider coverage than Oyster.

• Pay as you go (PAYG) fares are generally the same for both methods, within the Oyster zone.
• Contactless is valid at stations outside the Oyster zone, notably on c2c lines to places like Grays and Tilbury Town.
• Oyster may not always be accepted at certain stations where contactless is. I wish I knew that before.
• I tend to use contactless now.
• It has broader acceptance. Less stress.

How to signal a bus in the UK?

Right, flagging down a bus in the UK, eh? It’s not rocket science, but you gotta do it right, or you’ll look like a right plonker.

First things first: make sure the bus is headed your way! Don’t be that guy standing on the wrong side like you’re hailing a UFO. Seriously, check the destination. Unless you fancy a scenic tour to Nowheresville.

Then, and this is crucial, stick your arm out. Like you’re auditioning for a scarecrow role. Not too high, not too low, just right.

Think “I’m offering you tea, Bus Driver!”

• The arm thing: Not too floppy, not too stiff. Imagine you’re casually pointing to a particularly interesting cloud.
• The destination: This bit’s key. Is it going where you want? No? Move along, there’s nothing to see here.
• The “Is it even a bus stop?” check: Is there a sign? A huddled mass of shivering folk? Both good signs. No? Maybe you’re summoning a rogue ice cream van.

More to Consider:

• The “Bus Lane Blues”: Oh, and if there’s a bus lane, stand in it! Not in the road. Buses have right of way, innit.
• Practice makes perfect. Why not spend a afternoon practicing this. It will be worth it.
• Mind the gap: Get on. Pay, If required. Sit Down. Enjoy the ride. Or else.

Oh and buses, they’re the best way to see the countryside… and people watch like it is your job.

What is bus etiquette in the UK?

Okay, bus etiquette in the UK. Right. Let people off first. Always! That’s rule number one. Imagine blocking the exit… nightmare.

Then it’s like, old people next? And those who were waiting longer. Fair enough, I guess. Queuing is a British thing, isn’t it? First come, first served, even on a bus.

No seats? Don’t block the aisle! People need to get off. Basic stuff, really.

• Let people off first. This is absolutely crucial.
• Prioritise elderly and longer-waiting passengers for seats. It is respectful.
• Don’t block the aisle. This shows consideration.
• Maybe I should add… avoid loud conversations? Or playing music without headphones? That’s just common sense, isn’t it?
• Payment. Have your Oyster card or contactless ready. No one likes a faff.

I was once on the bus to Camden, and this guy… total chaos. He was shouting into his phone, blocking the aisle, and then started arguing about his fare. The driver was not happy, haha.

So yeah, basic bus etiquette. Politeness goes a long way.

What is the difference between an Oyster card and a Visitor Oyster card?

Oyster vs. Visitor Oyster card? Here’s the lowdown. Standard Oyster cards are refillable; think of it as a pay-as-you-go travel debit card. The Visitor Oyster, however, is designed for short-term stays and, yeah, you toss it after use. A bit wasteful, maybe, but convenient.

The Visitor Oyster card has some tourist perks, like discounts at certain restaurants, shops, and exhibits.

Think of it this way: Standard Oyster is for, you know, Londoners. Visitor Oyster is for anyone dropping in. Both get you on the Tube and buses, though. But the standard version feels so much more…official!

Let’s break it down further:

• Standard Oyster Card:

  • Refillable and reusable.
  • Requires a £7 non-refundable fee to obtain in 2024, I still remember the £5 charge I had to pay back when I first used it.
  • Offers daily capping, so you won’t overpay.
  • Valid for use on TfL Rail, Overground, DLR, Tube, bus and some National Rail.

• Visitor Oyster Card:

  • Designed for tourists.
  • Costs £5.
  • Comes with some limited discounts and special offers.
  • Capped daily rates.
  • Can be pre-loaded with credit before your trip. I once saw someone struggle because they didn’t load it correctly!

Basically, the Visitor Oyster’s ideal if you don’t plan on returning to London soon, and if you’re all about those limited discounts. Otherwise, the standard card’s more economical, even if it means paying that initial fee. And the standard version works on more things like the Gatwick Express! At least, as far as I can remember it did, last time I went.

It’s all about the planned duration of your adventures around London. Both get you around, so either way, happy travels, mates!