The short answer
This is a legitimate charge from Transport for London (TfL) for public transit fares across London's Tube, buses, or rail network.
Why is Transport for London charging me?
A charge appearing as "TfL Travel Ch" or "TFL TRAVEL CHARGE" on your credit card or bank statement indicates that your contactless payment method (such as a physical credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) was used to tap into the Transport for London (TfL) network.
TfL consolidates your daily journeys (including Tube, bus, London Overground, DLR, and the Elizabeth line) into a single transaction. This means you will generally see one lump sum charge per day of travel rather than individual charges for every time you tapped in and out.
Because TfL processes these payments after daily operations conclude, the charge typically appears on your bank statement 1 to 3 days after the actual day you traveled. If you forgot to tap out at your destination, TfL may charge you a maximum penalty fare, which can result in a higher-than-expected deduction.
How to verify and dispute TfL charges
- Register for a free TfL Online Account on the official Transport for London website.
- Add the specific contactless card or mobile payment device you used to your account.
- View your complete journey history for the past 7 days (or longer if registered beforehand) to see exactly where you tapped in and out.
- If you spot an incomplete journey or maximum fare because you forgot to tap out, you can request a refund directly through the TfL portal.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Transport for London. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- TfL Fares and Payments https://tfl.gov.uk
- Barclays TfL Guide https://www.barclays.co.uk
Reviewed Aug 31, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges