London, United Kingdom

London Buses payment methods

Check cards, cash, mobile tickets and tap-off rules for London Buses. Operated by Transport for London; last verified on 2026-07-22.

Official website ↗

Tap: boarding validation
Not required: tap off

Quick answer

Can I tap a bank card on London Buses?

Yes. This network accepts physical contactless bank cards directly on board. Documented schemes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express.

Cash is not accepted on board.
Tap off: not required.

See every payment method ↓

Boarding payment

Cards, cash and tickets

Cash

London buses do not accept cash fares.

Transit or fare card

Yes

Oyster Source: TfL bus fares

Contactless bank card

Yes

Visa, Mastercard, American Express Source: TfL contactless

Paper ticket

Partial

Paper products exist for specific concessions or arrangements but are not the standard visitor fare.

Visitor pass

Partial

Visitor Oyster Source: TfL bus fares Visitors can use Visitor Oyster, but ordinary contactless payment is also supported.

Phone or wearable

Mobile payment

Mobile wallet or digital transit card

Yes

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay Source: TfL contactless

Official app

TfL apps can manage travel information or Oyster accounts but are not shown to the driver as a bus ticket.

QR or barcode ticket

QR boarding payment is not the standard London bus fare medium.

Evidence

Sources

TfL bus fares Accessed 2026-07-22
TfL contactless Accessed 2026-07-22
TfL touching rules Accessed 2026-07-22