Here’s the twist: you can’t use cash on London buses. None. Zip. It’s all contactless or an Oyster card. But don’t panic—your debit card, credit card, or phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) works perfectly. Just tap the yellow reader when you get on.
And here’s a fun fact: you only tap once. Unlike the Tube, you don’t tap off. That tap locks in your £1.75, and the system automatically calculates your daily cap. It’s smarter than me at budgeting.
Higher fares across all London transport take effect - BBC News
The “Hopper” Secret: Your Best Friend
Remember that £5.25 daily cap? It works like this: your first bus ride costs £1.75. If you take another bus within an hour, that second ride is free. Any bus after that? Also free, until the hour resets. So you can take three, four, or ten buses in a day—never paying more than £5.25.
Compare that to the Tube, where a single zone 1-2 ride is £2.80 and the daily cap is nearly £9. It’s a no-brainer for budget explorers.
