PennyWiser
Find your cheapest TfL ticket for hybrid work
Compare PAYG, Contactless, Oyster, Travelcards, bus journeys and railcard discounts against the way you actually commute.
4
ticket types compared
2026
TfL fares and caps
Free
no sign-up needed
Before you start
Use your normal commute week
- 1Choose the stations you usually travel between.
- 2Enter how many days you go to the office.
- 3Add buses, extra Tube/rail trips or an Oyster railcard if relevant.
- 4Press the button to see the cheapest option.
Ticket types explained
PAYG
Pay as you go means you pay per journey using either contactless or Oyster. TfL caps can limit your daily or weekly spend.
Travelcards
A Travelcard is a season ticket for unlimited travel in your selected zones. It also includes London bus travel.
Oyster railcards
Eligible railcards only discount off-peak PAYG when loaded onto Oyster. They do not discount contactless or Travelcards.
Calculator
Your commute details
Fill this in like a normal week. PennyWiser compares the options after you press the button.
Not seeing your railcard? Some railcards, such as Two Together and Network Railcard, do not provide TfL Oyster PAYG discounts and are excluded.
Ready to compare?Open your recommendation once your selections look right.Find My Cheapest Ticket
Result ready
Your cheapest ticket
Based on your latest selections
From
Stratford
To
Bank
Zones
Zone 2 -> Zone 1
Zone 1
Not usually
Travel
Peak
Pattern
3 days / week
Buses
None
Railcard
None
Recommended option
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster)
For your commute pattern, PAYG (Contactless / Oyster) is cheaper than the included Travelcard options. It is £12.78/week cheaper than Annual Travelcard.
Can be paid using contactless or Oyster
Weekly estimate
£21.60
Yearly saving
£665
Annual cost
£1123
Monthly estimate
£94
Fare data
2026 TfL fares
Compare all options
Why this result
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster) is based on standard single fares. TfL caps were checked but are not needed for this pattern.
Could a railcard help?
Eligible Oyster railcards can give 1/3 off off-peak PAYG fares when loaded onto an Oyster card. Contactless payments do not receive this discount.
Browse railcardsShare result
Compared with the next included option: Annual Travelcard.
What if your office days change?
1 day
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster)
£7.20/wk · £374/yr
2 days
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster)
£14.40/wk · £749/yr
3 days
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster)
£21.60/wk · £1123/yr
4 days
PAYG (Contactless / Oyster)
£28.80/wk · £1498/yr
5 days
Annual Travelcard
£34.38/wk · £1788/yr
How this was calculated
- Tube/rail daily cap checked: not needed
- Tube/rail weekly cap checked: not needed
- Bus daily cap checked: not needed
- Bus weekly cap checked: not needed
- Peak fares used
- Based on 3 office days per week
- Bus use: No buses
- Annual Travelcard: included in recommendations
- Railcard: none selected
Estimates are based on Stratford to Bank, using Zone 2 -> Zone 1, plus your travel time, bus use and office days. Actual costs may vary depending on your full journey pattern.
About the data
All fares, daily caps, weekly caps and Travelcard prices are based on TfL's published fare tables, last updated March 2026. Fares are reviewed annually each March, and estimates are for guidance only.
Common questions
Is PAYG (Contactless / Oyster) always cheaper if I work from home some days?
Often yes, but it depends on your zones and how many days you commute. The calculator checks the break-even point for your selected pattern.
Does my railcard work on the Tube?
Only for off-peak PAYG journeys on Oyster, not on contactless, not during peak hours, and not on any Travelcard. Load your railcard onto your Oyster card at a Tube station or via the TfL app.
Why can a Travelcard beat PAYG?
Travelcards cost more upfront, but can work out cheaper per week when you commute often enough or use buses regularly.