How do you pay for buses in the UK?

Short answer: In London, tap a contactless card, phone or Oyster card when you board. In England outside London, most single fares are capped by a government scheme; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own fares.

How do I pay on a London bus?

With contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card. You touch in when you board and do not touch out.^[1][2]

What does a London bus cost?

When we read TfL on 1 November 2026, the adult pay as you go fare was 1.85 pounds, with a daily cap of 5.55 pounds.^[2]

Are bus fares capped outside London?

In England, yes, on participating buses. GOV.UK said in July 2026 that until 1 January 2027 most single bus fares outside London remain capped at 3 pounds, and that a 2 pound cap applies on participating buses from 1 January 2027 until the end of 2027.^[3]

Does the cap apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The scheme GOV.UK described is for England outside London. Check the local operator's fares for the other nations.^[3]

We did not find an official page that says which operators outside London take contactless payment, so check with the operator or at the stop.

Verwandte Themen

• Local transport by city
• Getting around by region
• Kontaktlos oder Oyster in London
• More first-time questions