TFL TRAVEL — Transport for London Bank Charge Explained

TFL TRAVEL on your bank statement is a transaction descriptor for Transport for London, a travel company. Transport for London (TfL) runs the Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line and more. Charges include pay-as-you-go contactless travel, Oyster top-ups, the Congestion Charge and ULEZ.

What Is the TFL TRAVEL Charge?

TFL TRAVEL is a transaction descriptor for Transport for London, a travel company.

Transport for London (TfL) runs the Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line and more. Charges include pay-as-you-go contactless travel, Oyster top-ups, the Congestion Charge and ULEZ. Contactless fares are often grouped into a daily total, and entries usually read TFL TRAVEL CH or TFL.GOV.UK.

This code appears on your bank statement because banks display a short payment reference — set by the merchant's payment processor — rather than the company's full trading name. The code TFL TRAVEL is the official identifier that Transport for London registered with Visa or Mastercard.

Is the TFL TRAVEL Charge Legitimate?

Transport for London is a well-known, legitimate company. Most charges from this merchant are authorised and relate to purchases or subscriptions you signed up for. If you don't recognise the charge, check your email for a receipt or log into your Transport for London account to review recent activity.

How Do I Cancel or Dispute a TFL TRAVEL Charge?

  1. Identify the charge: Confirm the charge is from Transport for London by checking your email for a receipt or logging into your account on their website.
  2. Cancel your subscription: If you no longer want the service, log in to Transport for London and cancel your subscription through account settings before the next billing date.
  3. Contact the merchant: If you do not recognise the charge, contact Transport for London customer support and ask for an explanation and refund.
  4. Dispute with your bank: If the merchant does not resolve the issue, call the number on the back of your card and ask to raise a chargeback on the TFL TRAVEL transaction. Provide the transaction date and amount.
  5. Section 75 rights: If you paid by credit card and the amount was over £100, you may have additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

What Other Names Does Transport for London Use on Bank Statements?

Transport for London may also appear on your statement as:

Frequently Asked Questions About TFL TRAVEL

What is TFL TRAVEL on my bank statement?

TFL TRAVEL is a bank statement transaction code for Transport for London, a travel company. Transport for London (TfL) runs the Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line and more. Charges include pay-as-you-go contactless travel, Oyster top-ups, the Congestion Charge and ULEZ. Contactless fares are often grouped into a daily total, and entries usually read TFL TRAVEL CH or TFL.GOV.UK. This descriptor appears because banks display a shortened payment code instead of the full company name.

Is TFL TRAVEL a scam?

Transport for London is a well-known, legitimate company. Most charges from this merchant are authorised and relate to purchases or subscriptions you signed up for. If you don't recognise the charge, check your email for a receipt or log into your Transport for London account to review recent activity.

Why is TFL TRAVEL on my bank statement?

TFL TRAVEL appears on your statement because Transport for London processed a payment through their card payment provider. The code is set by their payment processor and is the official descriptor registered with Visa or Mastercard. Common reasons include a subscription renewal, a one-off purchase, or a trial period that has converted to a paid plan.

How do I cancel TFL TRAVEL?

To stop TFL TRAVEL charges from appearing on your statement, you need to cancel your Transport for London subscription or account. Log in to the Transport for London website, go to your account settings, and cancel your subscription. If you cannot find the cancellation option or do not recognise the charge, contact your bank to dispute it and block future payments.

How do I get a refund for a TFL TRAVEL charge?

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly by Transport for London, first contact their customer support to request a refund. If they are unresponsive or unhelpful, contact your bank and ask to raise a chargeback. You typically have up to 120 days from the transaction date to raise a chargeback claim. For credit card purchases over £100, you may also be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

For more information about Transport for London and all its known transaction codes, visit the Transport for London merchant page.