You can use Apple Pay to pay as you go on Tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line and most National Rail services in London.
If you've got an:
- iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone6 or iPhone 6 Plus
- Apple Watch
You can add supported payment cards to Apple Pay and then use your iPhone or Apple Watch to make contactless payments. If you are unsure if you can use Apple Pay contact your card issuer.
If you use Apple Pay with a payment card issued outside the UK you may be charged overseas transaction fees. Some may not work; check with your card issuer.
Setting up Apple Pay
Setting up Apple Pay is simple.
Find out more about Apple Pay and how to set up your devices on the Apple website:
Using Apple Pay on our services
Using Apple Pay is similar to using pay as you go with a contactless payment card. You need to touch in and out on rail services and Emirates Air Line to pay the right fare and only touch in on buses and trams. Although there are a couple of differences when you use Apple Pay to travel on our services, it involves just a few simple steps:
iPhone (using iOS 9 or later)
- Before you board a bus or tram or as you approach a ticket gate, double-click the Home button of your iPhone, if it is locked. This will bring up your default card in Apple Pay.
- Authorise the transaction by placing your finger on Touch ID until you see 'Hold near Reader to pay' on the display.
- Touch the top of your iPhone on the yellow card reader within one minute of completing step 2 above.
- You will see 'Done' on the display, feel a brief vibration and hear a beep, letting you know that payment has been sent. A green light will also be displayed on the card reader.
iPhone (using iOS 8)
- Before you board a bus or tram or as you approach a ticket gate, open the Passbook app on your iPhone.
- Select the card you'd like to use and place your finger on Touch ID until you see 'Hold near Reader to pay' on the display.
- Touch the top of your iPhone on the yellow card reader within one minute of completing step 2 above.
Apple Watch
- Before you board a bus or tram or as you approach a ticket gate, double-click the side button of your Apple Watch. This will bring up your default card in Apple Pay.
- If you've added more than one card and would like to use a different card to pay, swipe the screen to select the card you'd like to use.
- Hold the display of your Apple Watch an inch from the yellow card reader within one minute of completing step 2 above.
- A gentle vibration and beep will let you know that your payment information has been sent. A green light will also be displayed on the card reader.
Always use the same device
If you use Apple Pay on both an iPhone and an Apple Watch, you must choose which one you want to use to pay for all your travel and use the same one every time. If you use both (eg you touch in at the start of a journey with your iPhone and touch out at the end with your Apple Watch), you will:
- be charged maximum fares for incomplete journeys
- not benefit from daily and Monday to Sunday capping
Please be aware that you might receive payment notifications on all your devices, regardless of which one was used for touching in or out.
Watch out for card clash
If you keep a contactless payment or Oyster card in your phone case, you should remove it before using your iPhone to touch in and out. If you don't, you could pay for your travel with a card you did not intend to pay with.
Make sure you have enough battery
Your iPhone or Apple Watch must be switched on to use it to travel. You should also check that you have enough battery on your iPhone or Apple Watch to complete your journey. If you don't and:
- It runs out of battery in the middle of a rail journey, you will not be able to touch out at the end and could be charged a maximum fare
- If an inspector asks you to touch your iPhone or Apple Watch on their reader, it will not be able to be read and you could be liable for a penalty fare
Adding Apple Pay to a contactless and Oyster online account
You can see a recent history of your transactions on your iPhone.
You can see your full journey and payment history by signing up for and adding your credit or debit card used with Apple Pay to a contactless and Oyster online account. You can also:
- Get email alerts if there's an issue with your account which might stop you from using your device to travel
- Apply for refunds for incomplete journeys
- Download your payment and journey history as a CSV or PDF file
- Pay unpaid fares
To sign up for a contactless and Oyster online account, you need:
- Your (plastic) card account details:
- card number
- expiry date
- the security code (CVV)
Once you have added your card account details, you will be able to see your Apple Pay devices as separate 'card records' in your online account. You will also see your card if it has been used to travel on our services
- Initially, your plastic card and iPhone and/or Apple watch will look like identical cards on their 'my cards' screen
- You are advised to use nicknames (eg 'my iPhone' or 'my Apple Watch') to be able to distinguish easily between the different devices
If you don't have a contactless and Oyster online account
You can phone TfL Customer Services on 0343 222 1234 (TfL call charges). You will need to provide your (plastic) card account details (card number, expiry date and security code) so that our Customer Service Agents can see your journey and payment history.
