Student Oyster Card: Benefits, Types, Balance Checking And Top-Ups

Ever feel like half your student loan goes straight to the transport gods in London? Bus journeys here, tube rides there – the cost can add up faster. But don't worry! This guide is your ultimate weapon against transport-related budget woes. We'll crack the code on the Student Oyster Card, reveal all the discounts it unlocks, and show you how to navigate the London transport system like a pro.

What Is A Student Oyster Card?

A Student Oyster Card is a smart card or pass that lets you travel on all the modes of public transport in London. It is contactless and can be topped up using a credit card. This card is the most popular way to pay for public transport in London. It allows you to pay as you go by adding money to it. 

Bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, most Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car and Thames Clippers River Bus services all accept pay-as-you-go payments. You would be glad to know that these transport services run through most parts of London, including the best neighbourhoods! Read all about the best neighbourhoods in London!

What Is An 18+ Student Oyster Card?

The 18+ Student Oyster Card or photocard works exactly like the standard card, with the only difference being the presence of your photo and extra discounts. The card allows you to travel at discounted rates for the three years of your study program. You can also use the Student Oyster Card for the remainder of your study period. 

You save 30% on bus and tram passes and travel cards, and you get a 34% discount on low-traffic rail fares. Before applying for the card, ensure that you are eligible. 

Who Is Eligible For An Oyster Card?

Every student studying in an accredited university or college in London is eligible for a student Oyster Card. However, there are some eligibility criteria you must check before applying for a student Oyster card:

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1. Aged 18 or above and residing in London during term time.

2. Enrolled as a full-time student with at least 15 tuition-led hours per week for 14 weeks.

3. Receiving NHS Bursary funds as a full-time student.

4. Pursuing full-time postgraduate studies.

5. Part-time postgraduate with a course lasting at least 14 weeks and receiving NHS bursary funds (proof required).

6. Serving as a sabbatical officer.

7. Engaged as a full-time student on a mandatory 14-week work placement in London.

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Some exceptions in 18+ Student Oyster Photocard eligibility are:

1. Part-time students are typically ineligible for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard.

2. However, exceptions may be considered. You may contact the university office for more details. 

18+ Student Oyster Photocards

The 18+ Student Oyster Photocard is specifically designed for students aged 18 and above who reside in a London borough during term time and are enrolled in a TfL-registered school, college, or university. It features a photo for identification and grants holders a 30% discount on adult-rate travel cards and season tickets. 

Oyster Card London was introduced to alleviate commuting costs for London students. The Student Oyster Card is not valid for leisure travel discounts during vacations. The application is online and requires a digital photo, student enrolment ID, London address, and a valid debit or credit card for the £20 administration fee.

Benefits Of A Student Oyster Card

Getting an Oyster Card London to use in public transport is fast and efficient, alongside having many perks. Here are some of the many Student Oyster Card benefits that one can get:

1. Enjoy endless credit on your card—it never expires, ensuring peace of mind as you can use it anytime, even years later.

2. Seamlessly integrate the Pay as You Go feature with Travel cards for added flexibility.

3. Enjoy the effortless user-friendliness and incredible cost-effectiveness of the Student Oyster Card. Simplify your public transport experience with the Student Oyster Card. No more constant ticket purchases; just tap and go for convenience and savings.

4. Easy to navigate London's extensive public transport network, including trains, buses, trams, tubes, and more.

5. Reach the spending cap and ride worry-free - once reached, subsequent rides are on the house for the remainder of the day, with cap prices varying by zone. Unused card? No problem - simply request a hassle-free refund anytime.

Why Should I Buy A Visitor Oyster Card?

If you’re contemplating buying a card and are only planning on staying in London for a short period, you should certainly consider getting a Visitor Oyster Card. When you look at alternative transport options in London, Uber and taxi rentals prove to be quite expensive. For example, the average price of a short Uber drive, i.e., 1-5 miles, is £1 - £15. In comparison, a visitor or Student Oyster Card is relatively more hassle-free and pocket-friendly.

The visitor Oyster Card prevents the need for constant cash transactions and ensures a smooth experience for visitors experiencing all the things to do in London. Visitor Oyster Cards are a great boon for tourists looking to explore all they can in the English capital.

Standard vs. Visitor Oyster Cards

The types of Oyster card you can get differ based on your requirements. Although a Student Oyster Card is similar to a Standard Oyster Card, there is a small difference between them. Here is the difference.

How to Buy A Student Oyster Card?

It is quite easy to buy Student Oyster Cards as well as regular ones. London has made it incredibly accessible for most people to be in possession of one!

1. The Standard and Visitor Oyster Cards can be bought from the underground stations in London and the airports.

2. They are often readily available at ticket machines but can be purchased through newsagents or staffed ticket offices.

3. You can easily apply for a student oyster card online and have it delivered directly to your residence before entering the UK. 

4. The Standard Card can only be shipped to a UK address, but a visitor card can be shipped anywhere worldwide. 

5. Before you arrive, you won't have to go out and buy one later. To spend less money on the tourist centres in London, you can also get a card as part of a London Pass, but this can only be done online. The payment for the card is made through either cash, a debit card, or a credit card.

Oyster Card Student Login And Application Status

You can apply for a Student Oyster Card as well as check your application status by signing into your Card web account. If you have entered your phone number during the application process, you will receive a text message while your card is delivered.

How To Check Student Oyster Card Balance

Usually, the balance is displayed at the ticket gates, but if you missed it, there are other ways. Here are the ways for Oyster Card check balance:

Check Student Oyster Card Balance Online:

1. Visit the Transport for London (TfL) website

2. Sign in to your Oyster account

3. You’ll be able to see the remaining balance on your card

Please note that Visitor Oyster Cards can’t be registered. Thus, if you are looking to check your Oyster card balance online, it won’t be available

Check Student Oyster Card Balance Offline:

1. Visit any Oyster Ticket Stop, Oyster Ticket Machine, or Visitor Center in London

2. Touch your Student Oyster Card on the yellow reader of any ticket machine

3. You can see the balance on the screen

Remember, you can also see your balance every time you exit the tube

How Much Does A Student Oyster Card Cost?

The card charges offer many options. There is a pay-as-you-go option, a travel pass option, and a combination option, but the prices for each trip will differ. 

1. The regular card costs about £5, and the primary deposit can be refunded. 

2. The visitor card costs £5 as well, and this includes postage. 

The Student Oyster Card and regular prices can be checked online from your location to the one you're heading to. Till the daily cap is used, the cost of the subsequent trips is cheaper. The prices can also be changed by the time of the day. The prices are high compared to the rest of the day in the rush hours or busy hours from 6:30- 9:30 am and 4:00 -7:00 pm.

Student Oyster Card Discount

Students in London can easily get student discounts on their Oyster Cards. This is a highly feasible technique for international students who depend on public discounts while studying in London. Students over 18 can avail of 30% off Travel Cards and Bus and tram Passes. The card can be used to purchase Oyster Card’s monthly, student, and weekly passes.

How To Top-Up Oyster Cards

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If London’s won over your heart, Student Oyster Cards are a must as the city has some of the best neighbourhoods so that you can plan the perfect trip to the city? Topping up a Student Oyster Card is putting in money to be used later during commuting. The following methods can be used for a Student Oyster Card recharge: 

1. The first way is to visit a visitor centre, station, or ticket desk at an Oyster ticket shop in the city. 

2. The second way is through the Oyster Website, which can only be done if you already have an account. If you do, you can log in and use the auto Oyster top-up or buy season tickets. 

3. The ticket machines at the stations in London, both overground and underground, have machines where you can hold up the card to review your balance and then click on the add top-up feature to add money through cash, credit, or debit.

4. The final option is to use the TfL Oyster app, which is almost the same as reloading credits from the site.

How To Apply For A Student Oyster Photocard?

Here are the steps to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard:

1. Complete your campus enrolment: You must complete your campus enrolment1 before you can apply for the photocard.

2. Visit the TfL website: Experience the convenience of our online application process by visiting the Transport for London (TfL) website.

3. Sign in or create an account: If you already have an account, sign in. If not, you’ll need to create one.

4. Provide necessary details: You’ll need to provide a colour digital photo, your student enrolment ID from your school, college, or university, a London address, and a valid debit or credit card to pay the £20 administration fee2.

5. Submit your application: After providing all the necessary details, submit your application.

Please note that your address must match the address that your school, college, or university has on record, or your application will be placed on hold. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your 18+ Student Oyster Photocard. This card will unlock a world of savings, allowing you to get 30% off adult-rate travel cards and season tickets.

So here was the A to Z of Student Oyster Cards that most people use in London. You can now easily navigate London zones and public transport. It will make commuting and getting around places by public transport so much easier and cheaper. And of course! Familiarising yourself with the London Underground could certainly help you navigate your way. Or you could just wing it! We hope this blog helped you understand everything you need to know about the Student Oyster Card. So, what are you waiting for?

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