London residents - question about Oyster card

[mineistaken]

Apparently you can only buy visitor oyster card online and wait for it to arrive internationally by mail.
Is there a difference between visitor and non visitor oyster card?
For instance you can order visitor card which cost 3GBP + whatever you preload it with.
Can I buy non visitor oyster card somewhere in London for 3GBP and top up 20GBP or not?
I am not sure what is the difference between visitor and non visitor card...

And yes, I ask this after I searched the internet for about 20 minutes

[BobJones123]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Apparently you can only buy visitor oyster card online and wait for it to arrive internationally by mail.
Is there a difference between visitor and non visitor oyster card?
For instance you can order visitor card which cost 3GBP + whatever you preload it with.
Can I buy non visitor oyster card somewhere in London for 3GBP and top up 20GBP or not?
I am not sure what is the difference between visitor and non visitor card...

And yes, I ask this after I searched the internet for about 20 minutes

I believe the only difference with a visitor oyster card is that they give you discounts at restaurants etc, but probably not really worthwhile.

You can get an oyster card at any London Underground ticket office (and some station machines) straight way for 3 quid when you load money on the card.

I hope that helps.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by BobJones123

I believe the only difference with a visitor oyster card is that they give you discounts at restaurants etc, but probably not really worthwhile.

You can get an oyster card at any London Underground ticket office (and some station machines) straight way for 3 quid when you load money on the card.

I hope that helps.

Thanks for reply
Ok, so regular oyster costs 3GBP + whatever I top up for pay as you go?
Is there an expiration date of the card itself or funds or could I use it for my next visit lets say 6 months later?

[Paul&John]

We bought an oyster card at an Underground ticket office (not sure how much does it cost), but we got back the deposit amount as soon as we returned the card.

[Barry-xlovecam]

I was just there ... this is my receipt for a 7 day all zone card.

[BobJones123]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Thanks for reply
Ok, so regular oyster costs 3GBP + whatever I top up for pay as you go?
Is there an expiration date of the card itself or funds or could I use it for my next visit lets say 6 months later?

You can get the money back at the end of your stay from the ticket office (you might need some id, passport etc) also, I don't believe it expires, mine never have

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

I was just there ... this is my receipt for a 7 day all zone card.

Cool

[ottopottomouse]

it was £5 plus whatever amount you put on it when I had to get one recently.

one important thing - the red london buses only let you pay with an oyster card or a contactless credit/debit card now - you cannot get on and pay cash.