How does the London Hopper fare work?

The Hopper fare lets you take unlimited bus and tram journeys across London within 60 minutes, all for a single £1.75 fare. Just tap with the same card or device on every bus or tram and the system links your journeys automatically. The 60-minute window starts from your first tap.

Does the Hopper fare work on the Tube?

No. The Hopper fare only covers buses and trams. If you take the Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, cable car, or River Bus between Hopper journeys, you pay the standard fare for that service. Your Hopper window still applies to any further bus or tram journeys within the 60 minutes.

Does the Hopper fare work with Oyster?

Yes. The Hopper fare applies automatically when you pay as you go with an Oyster card. Tap on every bus or tram using the same Oyster card and all journeys within 60 minutes of your first tap are charged as one £1.75 fare. Your Oyster must have a positive balance after the first journey for the Hopper to apply.

Does the Hopper fare work with contactless?

Yes. The Hopper fare works with contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Use the same card or device for every tap — switching between your phone and watch counts as two different devices and breaks the Hopper chain. All bus and tram journeys within 60 minutes of your first tap are charged as one £1.75 fare.

What happens if I exceed 60 minutes on the Hopper?

If your next tap falls outside the 60-minute window, a new £1.75 fare is charged and a fresh 60-minute Hopper window begins. The clock always starts from the first tap, not the most recent one. Your daily spending is still protected by the bus and tram daily cap.

Does the Hopper fare work on night buses?

Yes. The Hopper fare works on night buses exactly the same way as daytime services. Tap with the same card or device and all bus and tram journeys within 60 minutes of your first tap are charged as one £1.75 fare.

How many buses can I take with the Hopper fare?

There is no limit. You can take as many buses and trams as you like within the 60-minute window for a single £1.75 fare. You can even retrace the same route twice. Just tap with the same card or device on every bus or tram.

Can I use the Hopper fare if I take the Tube in between bus journeys?

Yes. If you take the Tube, DLR, Overground, or Elizabeth line between bus or tram journeys, you pay a standard fare for that rail service. However, your Hopper window keeps running — any further bus or tram journeys within 60 minutes of your first tap are still covered by the original £1.75 Hopper fare.

London bus & tram fares

The London Hopper Fare

Name: Weekend Hopper Fare
Start: 2026-07-25
End: 2026-08-31
Location: London

One tap, 60 minutes, unlimited buses and trams. All for £1.75.

What is the Hopper fare?

The Hopper fare lets you take unlimited bus and tram journeys across London within a 60-minute window for just £1.75. Tap on a bus, change to another bus or a tram, change again — you pay once.

It launched on 12 September 2016 as a single free transfer. In February 2018 TfL expanded it to unlimited hops within the hour. Since then, over one billion Hopper journeys have been made across London.

The fare applies automatically. You don't need to select it or activate anything. Just use the same card or device for every tap.

How does the Hopper fare work?

60-minute window starts from your first tap. Every bus or tram you board within that window is included in the original £1.75 fare.
After 60 minutes, a new fare and a new 60-minute window begin.
Buses and trams only. The Tube, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line, River Bus and Cable Car are not included.
Same card or device for every tap. Switching from phone to watch, or from Oyster to contactless, breaks the chain.
Oyster PAYG and contactless both work — bank card, phone or watch.
Tap on every vehicle. The system links your journeys automatically — there is nothing extra to do.
Tube or rail between hops? You pay a separate fare for that journey. The Hopper still applies to your next bus or tram within the original 60-minute window.
Negative Oyster balance? The Hopper won't apply until you top up. Top up within the hour or you'll pay a new fare.
Daily cap: Hopper journeys count toward the daily bus and tram cap (currently £5.25). Once you hit the cap, the rest of your bus and tram journeys that day are free. Your spending also counts toward the weekly cap.
Discounted travel: The Hopper also applies to discounted-rate travel (Jobcentre Plus, Bus & Tram Discount, care leavers).

Limited time — ends 31 Aug

What is the Weekend Hopper fare?

The Weekend Hopper fare gives you unlimited bus and tram journeys all day on Saturdays and Sundays for a single £1.75 fare. It runs from 25 July to 31 August 2026, plus the Bank Holiday Monday (31 August).

No 60-minute limit. Tap on your first bus of the day and every bus and tram after that is included. Same rules apply: use the same card or device, buses and trams only.

Two adults taking three bus rides on a Saturday save up to £7. Over a full weekend that's up to £14 saved. Children under 16 with a Zip card still travel free.

Tips to get the most from the Hopper

01Plan multi-leg journeys by bus instead of the Tube. Three buses in an hour costs the same as one. Browse routes

02Always use the same card or device. Tapping with your phone then your watch counts as two different passengers.

03Night buses are included. The Hopper works around the clock, including on all N-prefixed routes.

04If your phone dies mid-journey you lose your Hopper chain — and risk a max fare on rail. Carry a backup contactless card.

05You can retrace your route. There is no rule against boarding the same bus number twice within the 60-minute window.

06Plan your next hop — find nearby stops and check live departures before your 60 minutes run out.

Common Hopper fare questions

How long does the Hopper fare last?

60 minutes from your first tap. Every bus or tram you board within that window is covered by the original £1.75 fare.

How many buses can I take with the Hopper?

Unlimited. There is no cap on the number of buses or trams within the 60-minute window.

Does the Hopper fare work on trams?

Yes. London Trams is fully included.

Does the Hopper work on the Tube?

No. The Hopper covers buses and trams only. If you take the Tube between bus journeys you pay a separate Tube fare, but the Hopper still applies to your next bus within the hour.

Does the Hopper work with Oyster?

Yes, with Oyster PAYG. Tap with the same Oyster card on every bus or tram and all journeys within 60 minutes are charged as one fare.

Does the Hopper work with contactless?

Yes. Bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay all work. Use the same card or device for every tap — switching devices breaks the chain.

Can I use the Hopper if I take the Tube in between?

Yes. You pay a separate fare for the Tube journey, but the Hopper still applies to any further bus or tram journeys within the original 60-minute window.

What happens if I go over 60 minutes?

A new £1.75 fare is charged and a new 60-minute window starts.

Does the Hopper work on night buses?

Yes. All night bus routes are included.

What is the Weekend Hopper fare?

A summer 2026 trial (25 Jul – 31 Aug) giving unlimited bus and tram journeys all day on Saturdays, Sundays and the Bank Holiday Monday for a single £1.75 fare.

Heading to the Tube or rail as well?

For Tube, Overground and rail fares — Oyster, contactless, Travelcard — see our full fares guide.

Fares guide →

i Accurate as of May 2026 · Bus fare frozen at £1.75 until July 2026
Fares and policies change. This is guidance, not a guarantee — always check current TfL information before travelling or relying on this advice for an important journey.