Plan your route. The more zones you pass through, the more you'll have to pay, so try to plan a route that enters as few zones as possible. Zone One is the most expensive, so avoiding that zone can reduce your fare considerably.
Take the bus. Bus tickets cost less than the cheapest tube fares, so if you're travelling a short distance a bus can save you cash without costing you too much time.
Travel after 9.30 a.m. Fares drop after the morning rush hour, so try to delay your travel time until the off-peak fares kick in.
Consider a Day Travelcard. If you're making more than one journey in a day, it can be cheaper to buy a Travelcard covering all the zones through which you will pass.
Use an Oyster card. Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for single tickets and it's also faster than using a paper ticket (because you simply swipe the Oyster card on an Oyster pad rather than inserting it into a ticket gate). You can top up the card with cash and pay as you go, and if you make several journeys, the amount you pay will be capped at the cost of a Day Travelcard or One Day Bus Pass. You'll have to pay a small deposit to get an Oyster card, but the savings you'll make after only a couple of journeys will make it worth your while.
Buy a Season ticket. If you travel regularly, a Weekly, Monthly or Annual Travelcard will save you money. Season tickets can be added to your Oyster card to keep things quick and easy.
