Traveling with children up to 18 years old on the London Underground offers various options and benefits, especially regarding fares and discounts. In some cases, they can even travel for free.
Below is a summary of the policies and options available to facilitate transportation for young travelers in the city.
Fares and General Rules
- Children under 11 years old: Children under 11 can travel for free on buses and trams at any time and day. If accompanied by an adult with a Visitor Oyster or a Travelcard, they can also travel for free on the Underground, DLR, and Overground. Children under 5 can use the Emirates Air Line cable car if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. There are also child fares for children aged 5 to 15 for the cable car. Up to 4 children under 11 can travel free with an adult using a Visitor Oyster or a purchased ticket on the Underground, DLR, and Overground. Children aged 5 to 10 can use an Oyster Photocard to travel on national trains and get discounted fares.
- Children aged 11 to 15: They need an Oyster Card with the Young Visitor Discount to travel at reduced fares. Alternatively, they can use a contactless card but won’t receive the discount. They must pass through individual turnstiles when using public transport. They pay child fares on buses, the Underground, trams, DLR, Overground, cable car, and some national trains. The 11-15 Oyster Photocard allows them to travel free on buses and trams.
- Children aged 16 to 18: They can use an Oyster Card or a contactless card but won’t get reduced fares unless they have a Zip Oyster Photocard, which offers a 50% discount on fares. They pay adult fares on buses, the Underground, trams, DLR, Overground, national trains, and the cable car. With the 16+ Oyster Photocard, they pay half the adult fare on buses, the Underground, trams, DLR, Overground, and national trains. Without this Photocard, they must pay the adult fare.
Card Options
- Oyster Card: Available at vending machines or station counters. For children aged 11 to 15, the Young Visitor Discount can be applied at any Underground station.
- Zip Oyster Photocard: Available for young people aged 16 to 18, offering discounted fares. Recommended for long stays as it costs £20 to process.
- Travelcards: Children can use a 7-day Travelcard, but a passport photo is required for children aged 11 to 15. Travelcards are a good option for multiple trips over a short period.
Young Visitor Discount: What It Is and How to Apply
The Young Visitor Discount is a program designed to offer reduced fares on public transport in London for children and teenagers visiting the city. This discount applies to children aged 11 to 15 who do not have a Zip Oyster Photocard.
Features of the Young Visitor Discount
- 50% Discount: Offers a 50% discount on adult fares for travel on the Underground, buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and most National Rail services.
- Duration: The discount can be applied for up to 14 days. After this period, the card becomes a standard Oyster Card.
- Card Cost: The standard Oyster Card costs £7 (non-refundable).
How to Get the Young Visitor Discount
- It can be added to a standard Oyster Card at any Underground or London Overground station.
- Requirements: The child must be present when requesting the discount to verify age.
- Process: Go to a ticket office or speak to station staff with the Oyster Card and request the Young Visitor Discount.
Zip Oyster Photocard
The Zip Oyster Photocard is a special transport card for children and young people in London.
- It is a transport card for children and young people aged 11 to 15.
- Allows free travel on buses and reduced fares on other public transport in London, such as the Underground.
- To obtain it, you need:
- A digital photo of the child
- A valid machine-readable passport to verify age and identity
- An image of the passport
- Pay an administration fee of £15
- Applications are made online through the Transport for London (TfL) website.
- If the child does not have a valid passport, the application can be completed at a post office with other identification documents.
- Once approved, the card typically arrives within two weeks.
- It is the most economical option for children living in London or planning a long stay.
- For short-term visitors, it may be more convenient to use a standard Oyster Card with the Young Visitor Discount.
- The Zip Oyster Photocard is valid until the child turns 16.
Tips for Traveling with Children
In addition to the tips covered in the general article “Tips for Traveling on the London Tube,” when traveling with children, extra attention should be given to trip planning and carrying the necessary documents to ensure children can benefit from applicable discounts and fares:
- Planning: Before traveling, review the routes and zones you plan to use to ensure you have the correct tickets.
- Documentation: Always carry any necessary documents, such as passport photos for Travelcards and the Zip Oyster Photocard.
- Maximum number of children: Remember that one adult can accompany up to four children under 11 for free.