Getting around London as a visitor: choosing an airport, Oyster or contactless, and navigation apps

The easiest way to get around London is to tap a contactless bank card or phone at the Tube gate. Transport for London (TfL) says you should touch in and out with the same card or device, and the system applies daily and weekly capping automatically, so you do not need to buy separate tickets.

Which London airport should you choose, and how do you reach the city?

Your choice usually depends on the airline and the ticket, but Heathrow (LHR) is the easiest for reaching the centre because it has both Tube and express rail links. For the other airports, check journey times on each airport's official website.

Heathrow has three main routes: the Elizabeth line, which TfL says accepts contactless; the slower Piccadilly line; and Heathrow Express, the fastest but a dedicated airport service. The times above are approximate, so check current times on the operator's website.

What else should you check before picking an airport?

A cheaper ticket may not save money or time if the airport is far out and the transfer is long, so compare your flight time with the first and last trains of the day.

• For a late arrival or very early departure, check night trains and night buses first.
• Thai passport holders need a UK visa before travelling and queue for a Border Force officer, as eGates are not open to them, so allow extra time after landing.
• If you change airports in London and pass through border control, check the transit visa rules on GOV.UK.

Is Oyster or contactless better for visitors?

For most visitors a contactless card or phone is simpler because there is no extra card to buy, though your bank may charge overseas transaction fees, so check with it first.

• Contactless: use your own card or phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and the same one in and out.
• Oyster: still available, but TfL says the Visitor Oyster card cannot be bought in London; order it from the TfL Visitor Shop before you leave.
• One card per person per journey; never tap one card for several people.
• Travelling as a family, each person needs their own card or phone so that capping is calculated per person, and the daily and weekly totals stay clear.

How does fare capping work?

TfL states that with pay as you go on contactless or Oyster, charges stop at a daily cap, and a weekly cap applies from Monday to Sunday, so you do not need to work out whether a day ticket pays off. Check the current amounts on the TfL website.

Which apps help in London, and what is the Elizabeth line?

TfL Go, Citymapper and Google Maps are the apps most visitors use. The Elizabeth line is a rail route running through central London, linking Heathrow and Paddington with other districts, which makes it a good choice when you carry luggage.

1. 1Open the app before leavingCheck the route, timing and engineering notices.
2. 2Use one contactless cardKeep it away from other cards in your wallet, which can cause a double charge.
3. 3Always tap outForgetting to tap out can lead to a maximum fare being charged.

Does the Tube have mobile signal and Wi-Fi?

TfL says Wi-Fi is available at all Tube stations but is linked to UK mobile networks (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone), so visitors on a foreign SIM or eSIM may not be able to use it. 4G/5G coverage in tunnels is expanding, and some sections still have no signal.

Why does mobile data matter for travelling in London?

Mobile data helps from the moment you land at Heathrow: route checks and engineering notices in TfL Go, digital rail tickets, and Google Maps when station Wi-Fi fails. Thai operator roaming works, but check the current pack with your operator and keep the Thai SIM for bank OTPs. Many UK booking sites also send SMS codes, and data-only eSIMs have no UK number.

For a UK-only plan, see the guide “Best eSIM for the UK 2026: for visits and for study”.

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