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Set up your commute on the left, then hit Calculate
Your cheapest option: Pay as you go
How your costs break down
London Tube fares 2026: key prices
From 2 March 2026. Prices shown are for Oyster or contactless pay as you go.
| Zones |
Peak single |
Off-peak single |
Daily cap |
Weekly cap |
Annual TC |
| 1-2 | £3.60 | £3.10 | £8.90 | £44.70 | £1,788 |
| 1-3 | £3.90 | £3.30 | £10.50 | £52.50 | £2,100 |
| 1-4 | £4.80 | £3.60 | £12.80 | £64.20 | £2,568 |
| 1-5 | £5.30 | £3.80 | £15.30 | £76.40 | £3,056 |
| 1-6 | £5.90 | £4.00 | £16.30 | £81.60 | £3,264 |
Bus single: £1.75, bus daily cap: £5.25, bus weekly cap: £24.70. Source: TfL / Mayoral Decision MD3464.
Common questions
How many days do I need to commute for a Travelcard to be worth it?
For most zone combinations, a 7-Day Travelcard breaks even at around 4-5 commute days per week. At 3 days or fewer, pay as you go with daily and weekly capping is almost always cheaper. An annual Travelcard becomes worthwhile at around 4 days per week because it gives you 12 free weeks compared to buying 52 weekly Travelcards.
Is contactless or Oyster cheaper?
For most journeys, contactless and Oyster cost the same. The key difference is that Railcard discounts (1/3 off off-peak fares) can only be applied to Oyster, not contactless. If you have a Railcard and travel off-peak, Oyster is cheaper. Otherwise, contactless offers the same fares with the convenience of not needing a separate card.
Do Travelcards include buses?
Yes. All Travelcards (7-Day, Monthly, and Annual) include unlimited bus and tram travel. This can make Travelcards significantly better value if you also take buses, since bus fares (£1.75 per journey, capped at £5.25/day) are charged separately on pay as you go.
What is the Monday-Sunday weekly cap?
TfL's weekly cap limits how much you spend on pay as you go in a Monday-to-Sunday period. Once you hit the cap, further journeys that week are free. The cap resets every Monday. For Zones 1-2, the weekly cap is £44.70 - the same price as a 7-Day Travelcard, but the Travelcard can start on any day.
When is PAYG cheaper than a Travelcard?
PAYG is cheaper when you commute 3 days per week or fewer, when you travel off-peak (lower fares, lower caps), or when you don't travel at weekends. The fewer days you travel, the bigger the PAYG advantage because you only pay for what you use.
How much does it cost to commute in London in 2026?
It depends on your zones, peak vs off-peak travel, and how many days you commute. A Zone 1-2 commuter travelling 5 days per week at peak times pays around £1,788/year with an annual Travelcard, or about £1,872 on pay as you go. Part-time commuters (3 days/week) pay significantly less - around £1,123/year on PAYG. Use the calculator above to get your exact costs.
Is an annual Travelcard worth it?
An annual Travelcard is equivalent to 40 weeks of 7-Day Travelcards, giving you 12 free weeks per year. It is typically worth it if you commute 4 or more days per week and take fewer than 12 weeks of holiday. For Zone 1-2 in 2026, the annual Travelcard costs £1,788.
What is the cheapest way to commute in London?
The cheapest option depends on how often you travel. For 1-3 days per week, pay as you go (contactless or Oyster) is cheapest thanks to daily and weekly caps. For 4-5 days, a Travelcard usually saves money. If you also travel at weekends or take buses, Travelcards include these at no extra cost. Use a Railcard on Oyster for a further 1/3 off off-peak fares.