It's the smartcard 3 million Londoners use every day. And now, instead of waiting until you get to London and queuing up, you can buy one from us before you go for just £20.

Here's how you'll save

The £20 includes a £3 refundable deposit and £17 worth of travel at reduced prices on London's buses, trams, tubes and Docklands Light Railway.

For example:

Buses

• pay by cash and the fare is £2.00
• pay with Oyster and it's just £1.00

Tubes

• pay by cash and a zone 1 ticket is £4
• pay with Oyster and it's just £1.50.

You really can't lose.

Using Oyster Card

You don't even need to take your Oyster Card out of its wallet.

Simply 'touch in' by holding it over the yellow reader when you start each journey and 'touch out' when you leave the Underground or Docklands Light Railway station - this tells your card your journey has ended so only the right amount is deducted.

Your Oyster Card works on a pay-as-you-go basis and its 'smart' automatic capping means that however many journeys you make in a day, you'll never pay more than the price of a Travelcard.

Then, when the credit on your Oyster Card runs low you simply top it up at any tube station or at any Oyster Ticket Stop Agent in London.

You can use your Oyster Card time and time again. It should not be thrown away. We recommend you register your Oyster Card when you're in London - this will protect the credit you have on it.

Getting your first Oyster Card

Chester-le-Track is the first outlet outside London to sell Oyster Cards.

For your Oyster Card, simply visit our booking office and pay your £20 by cash or cheque.

Alternatively, send a cheque for £20 made payable to 'Chester-le-Track' and a s.a.e. to:

Chester-le-Track
The Railway Station
Chester-le-Street
Co. Durham
DH3 3EE

Note: The sale of Oyster goods or services via this website or through Chester-le-Track is not endorsed or managed by TranSys or Transport for London