Skip to Buy Tickets Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Accessibility tools
Find out how to travel on Thameslink trains in London on a contactless debit or credit card

Contactless and mobile pay as you go travel

How and where you can use a contactless card or mobile device for adult rate pay as you go travel.

Contactless overview

Pay as you go with a contactless card or mobile device means that you only pay for the journeys you make when you travel.

With contactless there is no need to top up or queue for train tickets at the station. Just touch your contactless card or mobile device on a yellow card reader to pay for your journey. You can use a contactless payment card or mobile device for adult-rate Standard Class travel on most National Rail services within London Zones 1-9 (and selected journeys beyond).

To check whether pay as you go is the best option for your journey, you can use the Single fare finder on the Transport for London website, and check National Rail for details of train ticket prices.

Simplified fares and more contactless stations coming soon 

  • Pay as you go with contactless uses a Single Peak and Off-Peak fare between two contactless stations. From Sunday 7th December, fares at 21 Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern stations have been simplified and in some cases has resulted in the withdrawal of tickets, such as Super-Off Peak. Simplified Off-Peak fares have been adjusted in price where certain ticket types have been withdrawn. Find out more here.
  • From 14 December 2025, you’ll be able to pay as you go with a contactless card or device at another 30 National Rail stations across the South East.

The stations on our network are:

Thameslink

  • Harlington
  • Leagrave
  • Luton

Great Northern

  • Baldock
  • Hitchin
  • Knebworth
  • Letchworth Garden City
  • Stevenage
  • Watton-at-Stone
  • Welwyn North

Southern

  • Ashtead
  • Box Hill & Westhumble
  • Dorking (Main)
  • Dormans
  • East Grinstead
  • Hurst Green
  • Leatherhead
  • Lingfield
  • Oxted
  • Reigate
  • Woldingam

Benefits 

  • Convenient travel: No need to buy a ticket in advance, queue at the station, or top up before you travel.
  • Flexibility: Seamlessly switch between trains, tube, DLR, trams and London Buses.
  • Ideal for changes: Perfect if your plans are uncertain or subject to change.
  • Daily and weekly caps: In London Zones 1-9, your pay as you go fare is capped so you can travel as much as you like in one day or week (Monday to Sunday), without paying more.

Where can I use Contactless? 

You can travel with contactless on most National Rail services in London Zones 1-9, as well as bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth Line services.

You can also use a contactless card or mobile device for Adult rate Standard Class travel for some journeys that go beyond London Zones 1-9.  

View the full Contactless network map

Things to remember 

  • Check before you travel: Always check pay as you go with contactless is accepted at your destination before you tap in, and if you're using a digital device it has enough battery for your entire journey. If you do not touch out because your device has run out of battery, this will show as an incomplete journey and you will be charged a maximum fare. If you do not have a valid ticket for your journey you may be liable for a penalty fare.

  • Use the same card or device: Always use the same device or contactless card to touch in and out to pay the right fare for your journey. For example, don't touch in with an iPhone and touch out with an Apple Watch or contactless card

  • Always touch in and out: At the start and end of your journey (even if the gates are open) tap your contactless card or mobile device on a yellow card reader to ensure you pay the right fare. When changing trains you may need to touch your contactless card or mobile device on a pink reader. (If you're travelling on a bus or tram you only have to touch in).

  • Payment timeframe: You will usually be charged for your pay as you go with contactless journey within 3 days.

  • Discounts: Contactless is based on Adult fares for Standard Class travel and it’s not possible to add a Railcard or any other discounts to your journey.

  • Child tickets: Discounts for child travel are not available with contactless. 
  • First Class: Contactless is not available for First Class.  
  • Register your card: You don’t have to create an account with TfL to use pay as you go with Contactless, but if you do, you will benefit from being able to view your full journey history (more than seven days), apply for refunds, and more.  

Frequently asked questions