Free travel for children in London: who rides for free

Getting children around London can cost almost nothing: the youngest travel free at all times, school-age children on buses and trams, and on the Tube children go free with an adult. Here is who gets free travel and when you need a child Zip Oyster photocard.

Up to what age do children travel free?

Children under 5 travel free on all London transport. Children aged 5–10 travel free on buses and trams without any photocard (unless they look older than 10). And on the Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line, up to four children under 11 travel free with one fare-paying adult — no photocard needed in that case.

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When do you need a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard?

A 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard is needed if a child aged 5–10 travels on the Tube, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line or most pay-as-you-go National Rail services without an adult — then, with this card, they travel free. It costs a £10 administration fee (paid by card; cash is accepted at a Post Office). On buses and trams, 5–10s need no card anyway.

What does the 11-15 Zip Oyster give?

Children aged 11–15 need an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. With it, bus and tram travel is free, and Tube and rail travel is at the child rate (about half the adult fare). It costs a £15 administration fee, applied for by a parent or guardian; eligibility runs roughly from 11 to 15. On buses you simply touch the card in when you board.

How do you apply, and what to keep in mind?

Zip Oyster cards are applied for online on the TfL website (you need a photo of the child). Important: TfL sometimes pauses photocard applications — check the status on the site before applying. While the card is on its way, under-11s still travel free with an adult, so you will not be left without travel. These rules are one of the biggest ways for a family to save on transport in London.