Oyster & contactless
Both work across the Elizabeth line at the same fares, with one exception: Oyster stops at West Drayton.
Contactless
Works at every Elizabeth line station, Reading included. Card, phone or watch - but touch in and out with the same one.
Oyster
Same fares, same caps, everywhere as far as West Drayton. It is the only option that can carry a railcard discount.
Stations where Oyster isn’t accepted
These sit outside the London fare zones, so their fares are set by National Rail. Contactless works normally at all of them.
Pay as you go vs a paper ticket
| Journey | Contactless or Oyster | Paper single |
|---|---|---|
| Paddington to Tottenham Court Road | £3.10 | £7.00 |
| Paddington to Liverpool Street | £3.10 | £7.00 |
| Liverpool Street to Canary Wharf | £3.60 | £7.00 |
| Paddington to Abbey Wood | £4.80 | £7.00 |
| Paddington to Stratford | £3.60 | £7.00 |
Peak pay-as-you-go against the anytime paper single from a ticket machine. Paper tickets don’t count towards daily capping.
Oyster & contactless questions
Can I use Oyster on the Elizabeth line?
Oyster works everywhere on the Elizabeth line except west of West Drayton. For Iver, Langley, Slough, Burnham, Taplow, Maidenhead, Twyford and Reading, use contactless or a paper ticket.
Is contactless cheaper than Oyster on the Elizabeth line?
No - they charge exactly the same pay-as-you-go fare and share the same daily and weekly caps. Contactless covers more of the line, and Oyster is the only one that can carry a railcard discount.
Is contactless cheaper than buying a ticket?
Yes, usually by a lot. Paddington to Tottenham Court Road is £3.10 with contactless against £7.00 for a paper single from a machine. Paper tickets also don't count towards daily capping.
Do I need to touch out on the Elizabeth line?
Yes, at both ends of every journey. Missing a touch out charges the maximum fare for that entry station, and it breaks capping for the rest of the day.
Can I use my phone or watch instead of a card?
Yes. Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless watches work exactly like a contactless card. Use the same device for touching in and out - switching between a phone and the card it holds counts as two different cards and produces two incomplete journeys.
Which Elizabeth line stations don't take Oyster?
Iver, Langley, Slough, Burnham, Taplow, Maidenhead, Twyford, Reading - every station west of West Drayton. These are outside the London fare zones, so use contactless or a paper ticket.
Fares from the TfL single fare finder, valid to 2027-07-04. Rules reviewed against TfL by 2027-03-01.