There is now a £7 flat fee for an Oyster card.
If you paid a £5 deposit for your Oyster card before 23 February 2020, you can still get your £5 deposit refunded (the information listed below still applies).
If you paid £5 between 23 February 2020 and 3 September 2022, The £5 is credited to your pay as you go balance after 1 year.
From 4 September 2022, there is a £7 non-refundable fee.
Before you claim a refund, it’s worth bearing in mind that if you’ve used your Oyster card on a Pay as you go basis and it’s not loaded with a weekly Travelcard or bus pass then it’s transferable. The money doesn’t expire so you can give it to a friend, relative or anyone else to use. Or save it for when you return to London.
If you don’t know anyone who might want to use an Oyster or you don’t plan to return to London, you can get back any unused money.
Where to get a refund in London
If you’ve registered your Oyster card online with TfL, refunds are available online.
Once you get a refund you will longer be able to use the Oyster card.
£5 deposit and up to £10 of Pay as you go money
If you haven’t registered your card, your £5 deposit (if bought before 23 February 2020) and up to £10 of Pay as you go money can be refunded at any underground (tube) station ticket machine.
Oyster refunds at Heathrow airport
At Heathrow airport, you can get a refund if you have up to £10 of pay as you go money or less on your card and your £5 deposit (if applicable) from:
- the wide ticket machines inside Terminals 2 & 3 underground station
The refund will be in cash.
Oyster refunds at Gatwick Airport
It is not possible to get a refund on any Pay as you go money at Gatwick Airport.
How to get a refund after leaving London
- If you can’t visit an underground station ticket machine before you leave, contact TfL Customer Services on 0343 222 1234 (open daily 8am–8pm).
- Apply for a refund online.
- Or, send your Oyster card, telephone number, email address and photocopied proof of name and address to TfL:
TfL Customer Service
9th Floor
5 Endeavour Square
London
E10 IJN
Refunds by post will be sent by cheque (£) or by bank transfer to your bank accounts (UK addresses only).
How to get an Oyster refund after leaving the UK
If you live outside the UK and have left the country, it’s still possible to get a refund. But do try to do it before you leave!:
- Contact TfL Customer services on +44 343 222 1234 OR
- Apply for a refund online. There maybe charges for refunds to non-UK bank accounts
Last checked: 6 October 2023