Are you allowed to use an oyster card for 2 people?

London Travel, Oyster Card?

• So, I've had an Oyster card for god knows how long. But I've only ever used it for the buses and bought travel cards if I went into central London. I'm travelling to the Wigmore Hall today and what I'd usually do is buy my travel card off peak at lunch time and then use it later as then I get it for £8. If I just used my Oyster card after the off peak times will it cost me the full £16 or just £8? I'll be getting a bus to Surbiton and then the train to Waterloo. The TFL website doesn't really explain these things very well so I thought it best if I ask where people can explain it in their own words! Any other info about Oyster Cards would be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  If you use an oyster card, there are peak times between 4 and 7pm (the price cap is £15.80). If you have a paper travelcard, there are no peak hours. If you ever travel into central london and intend on using any combination of buses/tube/trains or plan to travel around 4-7pm on weekdays, get a paper travelcard. A peak single from Surbiton To Waterloo costs £5.50, so a return is £11 on oyster. Plus any buses at £1.30 each so you'd pay around £16. A 1-6 off-peak travelcard is valid on buses,tube,trains after 9.30am till the end of the day. Plus, it costs £8.50 Oyster cards are confusing, people use them because they're so well advertised. Oyster cards are cheaper only when you use nothing but buses.