Card only / exact fare
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What it really means
Signs meaning the machine or driver takes no cash ("card only") or cannot give change ("exact fare only" — you must pay the exact amount). Always carry a bank card; the UK is increasingly cashless, especially transport.
Chinese explanation
"Card only"表示机器或司机不收现金，"exact fare only"表示不找零，必须付刚好的金额。银行卡要随身带，英国越来越无现金化，交通领域尤其如此。
Example conversation
A: The ticket machine says card only and I have no card on me.
B: Pay on your phone, or the ticket office over there still takes cash.
A：售票机写着只收卡，我没带卡。
B：用手机支付吧，或者那边的人工窗口还收现金。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
Official sources
Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.
All Transport
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake