Oyster Card - It's so Simple (Oyster Card)

Member Name: Squeaky_knows

Product:	Oyster Card
Date:	16/06/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple to use, cheap travel

Disadvantages: Don't loose it or you will have to buy another one.

I have just been on a trip to London to do a bit of sight-seeing and is the first time I have used an Oyster card. An Oyster card can be used on buses and the underground to pay for your journey and ensures easy and cheaper trips around london. The card comes in blue and has Oyster written on it, a simple design which really stands out.

You can purchase an Oyster card in london from a despensing machine or at a counter in any underground station. The initial cost for the card is £3 and you get a yellow and blue plastic wallet from Ikea to keep it in. Next you top up the card. If you use an automated machine however you have to top up at least £5, but you can put on any amount if you top up at a counter.

Once you have this card you can enjoy cheaper journeys! It is only £1 to travel anywhere on one bus journey and £1.60 for a tube journey. This is a bargain considering that one single ticket on the tube is £4!!

Also it is so easy to use! You just swipe the card over a yellow circular pad on the bus or the underground barrier and the money is deducted from your card. It saves so much time and hassle.

You can check your balance quickly at an automated machine by simply swiping your card. As well as topping up your card this way you can also view a record of your travel costs.

All in all I have to say I was very impressed with the Oyster card system and think it's a fantastic idea. I must have saved over half my travel costs and it was so simple to do!!

Summary: Easy, cheap travel in London. You'd be mad not to get one!