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Child Fares on London Transport

Last updated: 23 February 2024 Discounts for children on London transport are straightforward for children aged 10 and under. For children aged 11-15 it’s slightly more complicated.

Children under 5

Children under-5 travel free on all types of transport in London when travelling with an adult.

• up to 4 children are allowed per adult on London buses, the underground (tube), DLR and London Overground.
• up to 2 children under-5 travel free per adult on National Rail (trains)

Children aged 5-10

All children aged 5-10 travel for free on:

• the underground (tube), DLR, London Overground and some National Rail services within London as long as an adult accompanies them. Up to 4 children can travel per adult
• London’s buses with or without an adult

Children aged 11-15

Children aged 11-15 travel for free on London’s buses and at child-rate Pay as you go Oyster fares on the underground (tube), DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services if they have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.

The child-rate single fare with an 11-15 Zip Oyster is 95p (peak) or 85p (off-peak) for zones 1-6.

Like the ordinary adult Oyster card, there’s a daily cap – the maximum amount deducted from the card in one day. It’s £4.25 peak and £1.80 off-peak for zones 1-2.

This is the cheapest deal for 11-15 year olds. The card is not available from underground stations, although you can apply online . It is available to non-UK residents but you’ll need to apply at least 3-4 weeks in advance. There’s also a non-refundable £15 administrative charge.

Travel in London without an 11-15 Zip Oyster

Applying for a 11-15 Zip Oyster is not worth the trouble unless you’re a resident or frequent visitor.

There are a few other options for young visitors that will save money:

• Young Visitor Discount on an Oyster card
• Child-rate One Day Travelcard (from an underground or train station)
• Pay the child full-fare (underground only, not bus)

Bus-only travel for 11-15 year olds

If an 11-15 year old does not have an 11-15 Zip Oyster, Visitor Oyster Discount or child-rate Travelcard the best option is to let them use your contactless debit/credit card and pay the adult-rate bus fare of  £1.75. (NB only one card can be charged per passenger) or buy a £5.90 adult-rate one day bus pass . See London bus tickets & passes for details.

Young visitor Oyster discount

If you don’t want to apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster, the cheapest way for 11-15 year old visitors to travel is the Young Visitor Oyster Discount. This is a special discount added to an ordinary Oyster card. It’s valid for 14 days. After 14 days, the discount automatically expires and the card can be used as a ordinary adult Oyster card.

There’s a £7 fee for the Oyster card (non-refundable). Single fares and the daily cap for the underground and buses-only are 50% cheaper than adult fares.

For example:

• Unlimited travel by underground in zone 1-2 is  £4.25 per day
• Unlimited travel by bus is  £2.65 per day, for the whole of London

It’s available from:

• Underground station ticket machines: you need to buy an Oyster card (£7) or use a Visitor Oyster Card. Ask a member of staff to apply the discount to the card via the ticket machine.
• Transport for London Visitor Centres
• Victoria train station ticket office

Children aged 16-17

Children aged 16-17 can apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster Photocard . With this they:

• pay Oyster Pay as you go fares at half the adult rate on the bus, tube and most National Rail services in London. (Children resident in London with a 16+ Zip travel free on the buses)
• can buy a child-rate weekly or monthly Travelcard.

You must apply online. There’s a non-refundable £20 administrative charge for the 16+ Zip Oyster. If you live outside the UK, you must apply for your card at least 4 weeks before arrival in London.

Without a 16+ Zip Oyster, a 16 or 17 year old is classed as an adult and must either:

• pay the adult fare
• buy an adult-priced Travelcard, bus pass
• use an ordinary Pay as you go Oyster card with an Oyster or Contactless payment.

18+ Students

Students aged 18+ resident in London during term-time can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. It might also be possible to apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster .

There are no other discounts for students not studying and living in London.

Child ticket prices (11-15 years)

11-15 zip oyster pay as you go single fares (payg) 2024, 11-15 zip oyster daily cap prices from 3 march 2024, child one day travelcard from 3 march 2024.

These are the prices for the Child One Day Travelcard.

Off Peak : Valid for travel after 09:30 Monday–Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays. Anytime : Valid for travel before 09:30 Monday–Friday.

See London’s Transport Zones if you’re not familiar with the zones and the areas they cover.

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London Underground with kids: tips for using the tube

If you’re visiting London, whether on a day trip or a longer break, you’ll find yourself on public transport at some point – and chances are that means the Tube. So after travelling on it as a child myself and navigating the lines with a buggy, toddler, child and tween, here are my tips on using the London Underground with kids. 

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Because if you’re baffled by the thought of using the world’s oldest underground system, it’s not as overwhelming as it might appear – although there are some quirks to the system, especially when you’re travelling with children on London Underground.

So whether that’s planning in advance to get the best tickets, or knowing when it’s a good idea NOT to take the train, here’s everything you need to know about the London Underground with kids.

Contents - click to jump to a section

What ticket do I need for the London Underground?

With new technology bringing new ways to pay for travel, there’s now a surprising number of choices when it comes to tube tickets.

At its simplest, the options are the old paper travelcards (due to be phased out from January 2024), Tfl’s Oyster card or using contactless payment, with different variations for teens, and for anyone who needs 7-day travelcards or longer (mostly aimed at London residents rather than visitors).

Don’t count on using cash if you’re hopping onto a bus either: since 2014, you can only use contactless or an Oyster card to pay (unless you already have a travelcard).

Adult fares on the tube

Using paper tickets and old-fashioned travelcards is almost never the cheapest way to get around – and you’ll find yourself queueing a lot more if you play to buy one every day (or every journey). They’re also due to be phased out from January 2024 so may not be an option before long.

The only exceptions when they may be worth buying are if you’re spending a week or more in London, or if you’re planning to travel a lot in the outer travel zones – you can compare prices for pay as you go fares and travelcards here.

Instead there are two main options for adults which will work out cheaper (and easier).

Contactless payment

If you can pay using contactless – either a contactless bank card (credit or debit) or Apple/Google Pay on your phone – it’s the simplest option.

Simply tap your card or device on the yellow readers, and the system will register each journey and automatically cap it at a maximum daily cost, the same rate as an Oyster card. Always tap in and out on the tube, or when you get on a bus.

You must use the same card or device each time though, to ensure it’s capped correctly, and each adult needs a separate card or device (although they can be linked to the same bank account).

Check out the current fare caps here

Oyster card

Alternatively, a visitor plastic Oyster card costs £7 and you can order it online beforehand or buy one at an underground station when you arrive, as well as from a Tfl London Visitor Centre .

These have to be set up with a minimum of £10 pay-as-you-go credit, which you can top up in tube stations and some shops; then just like like contactless, you use the card to tap in and out, and the system automatically caps the amount you spend per day.

The fares vary depending on the time of day and how many zones you’re travelling through but the daily cap for zones 1-2 is currently £8.50 for adults. You can get a refund on any money you’ve loaded on but haven’t spent, but the cost of the Oyster card is non-refundable.

Child fares on the tube

Tfl child fares depend on the age of your kids, with free travel on the Tfl network (tube, bus, DLR, Elizabeth Line and London Overground) for all children under 11 years old.

This is only for the Tfl network – if you’re travelling on National Rail services, such as local commuter trains, kids aged 5-15 pay half-price and only under fives are free. The exception is the fast train to Watford Junction, which you might need if you’re visiting the Harry Potter studios.

Otherwise children aged11-15 travelling on the tube can get discounted travel using paper travelcards (being phased out from January 2024) and Oyster cards. Read on for more details.

Teens aged 16+ can only get discounted travel if you have a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard , which you need to apply for in advance, and costs £20.

Bus & tube travel with children under 11

Children under 11 travel free with an adult with any valid ticket, including a contactless card or Oyster card, up to a maximum of four kids per adult.

You’ll need to use the wide luggage/accessible gates to get through, as the main gates close speedily to stop fare evaders – fine if you’re carrying a baby, but not otherwise, and certainly not with a buggy.

You have longer to get through the wider gates though, and you’ll find these at the end of the bank of entry gates into the tube. In larger stations, there is usually one at each end so look for the one with the green light.

In smaller stations there may only be one, so if it’s showing a red cross, stand near it and it should automatically switch to green as you go to swipe your ticket.

It’s worth knowing that Zip Oyster cards for age 5-10 are aimed at London residents who might be using public transport alone, and aren’t needed for child visitors travelling with an adult.

Bus & tube travel with children aged 11-15

Children aged 11-15 have to pay for tube travel, but they get 50% off the standard adult fare. In order to do that, they’ll need to have a child ticket of their own to get the discounted fare.

For visitors to London and non UK-residents, Tfl suggests ordering a Visitor Oyster card before you leave home, then when you arrive in London, Underground staff can add the Young Visitor discount to your card.

This can only be done at tube stations, not National Rail stations, and can also be added to a standard Oyster card if you already own one or if you buy one on arrival. While all tube staff should be aware of this, if you run into any problems at smaller stations, this page has all the details.

You then top up credit as normal but are charged half the adult rate on pay-as-you-go tickets for up to 14 days.

Zip Oyster Photocards for age 11-15 are aimed at those based in the city (or frequent visitors) as they cost more and are more complicated to apply for – you’ll need a passport photo, and to allow extra time for it to arrive. It’s worth considering if you visit London frequently though, and includes free travel on buses.

As the Oyster cards cost £7 to buy, if you’re only visiting for a day or are travelling outside zones 1-2, it can be worth getting a paper child travelcard .

However, these are being phased out from January 2024. The day child travelcard also costs more than the maximum daily capped fare using an Oyster card, so if there’s a chance you’ll return, having an Oyster card with the young visitor discount quickly saves money.

There’s no way to get child fares on the tube using contactless payment, so it’ll charge full adult rate if you use this.

For more ideas on how to save money on days out in London with kids , check out my top tips

Download the apps

If you’re struggling to plan out your journeys, there are some helpful apps to take the stress out of working out a route.

Citymapper is my personal favourite, with information on different routes, real-time train times, and even suggestions on which carriage to get on at for the easiest exit.

Or the Tfl Go app is Tfl’s own route planner, with status updates and bus information as well as helping to plan tube journeys.

Google maps is also particularly useful for bus travel, but you can use it for route planning on the tube network as well.

Avoid rush hour

London at rush hour isn’t fun, even if you’ve had practice. Cramming yourself into a carriage of surly commuters with a pushchair, toddler or suitcase is even less fun.

It’s not always possible to avoid peak times entirely, but bear in mind the crush will usually be worst from 8am to 9am, and 5.30pm to 6.30pm, then allow at least half an hour either side when it’ll be busy too.

If you’re coming from outside Zone 1, it’s can also be cheaper if you avoid peak morning times (fares drop after 9.30am) – and in summer, some tube lines are horribly hot (especially the Central Line) so the emptier the better.

The end carriages are often the emptiest if you do find yourself on a busy platform. For more ideas on how to avoid some of the busiest stations, check out Tfl’s advice

If you want to avoid being laden down with heavy bags as you travel, check out Luggage Hero and Radical Storage which have dozens of places around London to store baggage securely while you explore

Always touch in and out

It’s not such a strangely coded message as it sounds – simply that if you don’t touch your card on the yellow readers as you go in and out of stations (or when you get on to buses), you’ll find yourself getting a penalty fare as a result.

Don’t forget to do this, even if barriers are open. And it applies whether you’re using Oyster cards or contactless.

With the bus, only tap your card when you get on though, you don’t need to do is as you get off.

If you are using a paper travelcard, there’s a slot to feed the card into, not far from the round yellow card readers.

Do consider the bus

Depending on your journey, it can be easier taking one bus than lots of line changes underground, especially with a buggy – if you’re using the London Underground with toddlers and preschoolers, check out my separate tips.

Bus journeys also give you a chance to see more of the city – a couple of routes will take you past some of London’s top sights too for a bargain tour, including routes 9, 15 and 26 (the old number 11 has changed route so isn’t as good any more)

Unless you’re doing a short straightforward journey, it’s unlikely to be faster than the tube though. Apps like Citymapper are really useful if you want to compare different options to get you from A to B, while Google Maps gives real-time bus information and shows the closest stops.

Don’t forget trains on the Tfl network

As well as buses and the underground, overground services, the Elizabeth Line and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) trains are also part of the Tfl network, and count towards the daily cap for fares.

You can also use Oyster cards/contactless for airport trains including the Heathrow Express, as well as the Gatwick Express, although the airport journeys aren’t covered in the daily limit.

For the best ways to get from London airports to central London , check out this post

If you’re heading to Watford Junction to visit the Harry Potter studios , you can use Oyster/contactless cards for this as well and kids under 11 travel free on the fast trains from Euston to Watford Junction.

However, if you’re planning to use other rail services – including local suburban rail routes, such as Waterloo to Hampton Court Palace – kids aged 5-15 get 50% off ticket prices but do not travel free.

Travel by boat & cable car

If you fancy travelling by river, you can use contactless and Oyster cards on the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper services (or buy tickets directly using the app).

Only kids under five travel free, otherwise it’s 50% of the adult fare – it’s not included in the daily cap either.

If you have a paper travelcard, you can also get a discount on these river boat services.

And while the river boats aren’t the fastest way to travel, it’s a lot more scenic than a dark tunnel.

Or the IFS Cloud Cable Car whisks you 90m above the Thames, crossing between the north Greenwich peninsula and the Docklands.

You can also use Oyster cards and contactless payment to travel on London’s cable car, but again, only kids under five travel free and it’s not included in the daily cap.

For more ideas of the best boat tours in London with kids check out my top picks

Walk when you can

London’s sheer size means that if you want to explore, you really can’t do it all on foot. But the tube map, iconic design though it is, does not accurately reflect the geography of London so there are a few spots where it’s simply not worth taking the tube.

All Londoners know it’s faster to walk from Embankment to Charing Cross, for example, or from Leicester Square to Covent Garden, instead of venturing up and down the escalators for a single stop.

There’s a helpful map showing walking distances between stations or simply check Google Maps and Citymapper to compare how long it’ll take on foot, versus the fastest option on public transport.

Check out my walking tour of London’s landmarks if you want to explore the capital on foot with kids

Be prepared for stairs & walking

There are more than 250 stations on the Tfl network, and only a limited number have step-free access – Tfl’s Journey Planner can rule out stairs though it’ll be limiting, while the Citymapper app also gives an option to search for step-free journeys only.

Either way, you’ll probably encounter steps at some point, especially outside the centre. Stations in the centre will usually have an escalator, including the 60m whopper at Angel, while the deepest stations have lifts – when they say not to take the stairs except in an emergency, these ones really mean it.

If you’re taking the underground with a baby, consider a baby carrier or sling, or at least bring the lightest pushchair you can get away with.

Some bigger stations have long walks between lines as well: changing from the Victoria line to the Piccadilly line at Green Park seems to involve a never-ending walk, while switching lines between Bank and Monument (though officially connected) is another long trek.

If you’re switching to the Elizabeth Line, you may need to head outside and walk (for example at Canary Wharf), even when the stations share the same name or are officially connected

If you’re feeling entirely overwhelmed, footsore and fed up, it’s worth knowing that black cabs can take pushchairs so you needn’t worry about not having a car seat – simply pop the brake on, and settle yourself back.

Stand behind the yellow line

A serious piece of advice. At most stations, there’s nothing between the platform and the train (except occasionally a gap, mind that too), so keep kids behind the yellow line to be safe. If you’re travelling with a buggy, reversing can be easiest.

If you need to stop to check a map once you’ve got off (there are plenty around the stations as well), or simply to get your bearings, head over towards the wall to do it.

Stopping right in the middle of the platform will make you very unpopular when there’s a train’s worth of people walking behind you.

Keep kids entertained

If you’re spending a while with bored kids on the tube, the novelty can quickly wear off – if you’ve got a long journey, it’s worth having something up your sleeve to entertain.

For short trips, where you don’t want to be forever taking things out of bags and putting them back two stations later, encourage them to turn the trip into a challenge with a pocket-sized  I-Spy London Transport  book.

Or there’s masses of tube trivia to keep you amused – you won’t be striking up conversation with your neighbours, I promise.

Check out these 150 facts celebrating the underground’s 150 years , including the two station names containing all five vowels, and the one station which doesn’t have any letters of the word ‘mackerel’ in it.

Otherwise, keep the usual entertainment – stickers, books, magazines – to hand. Counting the stations is always a good failsafe as well.

Don’t talk but do stand on the left

Some things are simply not done on the tube – and if you want to avoid too many scowls from Londoners it’s best to know the etiquette in advance (although we’re not all unfriendly).

Those unspoken rules include not chatting with fellow passengers, while the official rules include not standing on the left on escalators.

The left hand side is intended for people walking rather than standing: the same often goes for the corridors between platforms or if you’re changing line too, so those who are walking more slowly with small children, keep an eye out for the little blue signs as you go to avoid the speedwalkers.

The Tfl website is packed with surprisingly helpful information – there are FAQs for visitors and more details on fares for children  who get either free travel or reduced prices on different transport, even suggestions on the best buggies to use on the tube .

It also has maps showing those tube stations with toilets – click here – although it’s definitely best not to rely on these, or be aware some have a small charge if you do need them.

And there’s also a status update for all the lines, which is worth checking before you go, in case of delays or to see if any lines are temporarily closed. You can also find advance details of weekend engineering works and any strike action.

For more ideas on things to do in London with kids , check out my guide to London with kids , as well as suggestions for free things to do in London , unusual things to do in London and things to do in London in the rain with kids

* First published 2014, last updated 2024*

PIN FOR LATER: LONDON UNDERGROUND WITH KIDS

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions on using the London Underground with kids are my own.

Images courtesy Depositphotos

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

This is very helpful, like all your blog posts! Thanks

Thank you! Glad it’s useful – and one extra tip given the weather at the moment… take a fan.

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Travelling in London with kids

When planning a family trip to London, one of the things we need to think about is how we are going to get around London. And in particular, how travelling in London with kids works.

You are probably asking yourself what fares children have to pay on London´s public transport. And you may even need to know how to use London´s public transport with a buggy.

Travelling in London with kids: Fares and transport passes

When travelling in London with kids, it is important to know the different child fares on London´s transport network depending on their age. There are transport passes for children, valid for London´s underground network, buses, DLR, overground and trains within London travel zones .

Children under 11 years of age

Children aged under 11 travel free on London´s buses and trams, at any time, and do not need a ticket. They also travel free on London Underground, DLR (docklands light railway), overground and Tfl rail. They don´t need a ticket as long as a paying adult accompanies them.

Up to 4 children can travel for free with an adult with a valid ticket. When entering the London underground with a child (or more) under 11, it is advisable to use the larger access doors. These doors are wider and don´t close as fast as individual doors. They are designed for people travelling in London with kids, luggage or for disabled people.

Children 11 – 16 years of age

Children between the ages of 11 and under 16 can travel at a reduced rate on London´s public transport. Understanding what tickets are more suitable can be a bit complicated, as there are several options. For this reason, I am going to summarise the different options below. Hopefully, you will be able to decide which option is more suitable for you if you are travelling in London with kids.

Children from 11 to 16 years old can also travel with an adult oyster card or travel card if necessary. In this case, they will not benefit from reduced rates on travel.

Option 1: Oyster card with Young Visitor Discount

This is the best option if you are planning a family trip to London. An oyster card with a young visitor discount will apply half adult rates for 14 days. After 14 days, this discount will expire, and the oyster card will charge full adult rates again. The oyster card can also be returned at the end of your trip, just like a normal oyster card .

All you have to do is buy an Oyster Card or a Visitor Oyster Card, either online or at an underground station, and then ask a staff member to set the Young Visitor Discount. This discount can be applied at any underground station in London, including the underground station at Heathrow Airport .

An adult will need to give their personal details to register the oyster card before the discount can be applied, and you might be asked to confirm the child´s age. You and your child will need to be together when asking for the Young Visitor Discount to be set onto an oyster card, and an adult can request the young visitor discount to be set for up to 4 children (on separate oyster cards).

Option 2: Zip Oyster Photocard

The zip oyster photocard will entitle children up to 16 years of age to reduced fares on the underground and overground and other TFL services, as well as free travel on trams and buses. The zip oyster photocard is normally the best option for children that live in London, as the process to get an oyster photocard for a child can take some time and there is an initial registration fee of up to £20 – so this is normally not the best option for tourists.

• To get a zip oyster photocard if you live in London, all you need to do is fill in a form that you’ll find at your local Post Office and return it to the Post Office. You will also need to include a passport-sized photo and a copy of the birth certificate or passport and pay the fee. You should get the zip oyster photocard in 2 weeks.
• If you are a UK resident, you will need to do the process online on TFL’s website, and you should get the zip oyster photocard within 4 weeks.
• If you live outside the UK you will need to do the process online on TFL’s website. When applying, you will need to choose which London Visitor Centre (Liverpool Street Station, Victoria Station, Euston, Gatwick, King’s Cross station) you want to collect the zip oyster photocard from, as it will not be sent to your home address. You need to apply at least 3 weeks in advance but can apply up to three months in advance.

Option 3: 1 Day Child Travelcard

A one-day child travelcard will allow unlimited travel at any time of the day on any form of public transport in London for the chosen London Travel Zones . No ID is needed to purchase this one-day child travelcard, but fares using an oyster card with a young visitor discount are normally cheaper. If you are visiting London for several days and choose this option, you will have to buy a one-day child travelcard for each day, and this will work out a lot more expensive than using an oyster card with a young visitor discount.

Option 4: 7 Day Child Travelcard

To buy a 7-day child travelcard in London there are 3 options: 1 – By adding a weekly travelcard into a zip oyster photocard. This is undoubtedly the most complicated option, as you need to request a zip card oyster photocard first and then add the 7-day travelcard onto it. 2 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard online . This is probably the easiest way of getting one, as you don’t need a zip oyster photocard, and they’ll send it to your home address before you travel. 3 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard at a national railway ticket office (not an underground station).

16 – 18 years old

People aged 16 to 18 can also apply for a 16 – 18 zip oyster photocard, which will apply half adult rates on any form of public transport in London. Travelcards at a reduced price can also be added onto zip oyster photocards.

You don’t need to live in London to be able to apply for a zip card, but there is a processing fee which makes it hard to justify if you’re just visiting London for a few days. In this case, I’d recommend using a normal oyster card (adult rates) for anyone over 16.

For more information about travelling in London kids visit:  Transport for London

Travelling in London with kids: Travelling to Central London from the airport

Stansted , Luton and Gatwick airports are all located outside London’s Travel Zones , so fares when travelling with kids too and from these airports are different to fares when travelling in London with kids, so under 11 years old’s will need a ticket.

An oyster card is valid for travel into Central London from Gatwick Airport, but children under 11 also need a train ticket to get to central London from Gatwick Airport, even if they are accompanied by an adult.

Heathrow and London City Airports are both inside London Travel Zones , so fares are as explained above. Children under 11 travel free, and Children under 16 can travel with an oyster card with a young visitor discount.

⇒ More information:  London Airport Transfers

Travelling in London with a buggy

One of the things we need to think about if we are going to be travelling in London with kids is if we are going to need to travel around London with a buggy. If you are planning a trip with a baby, it may be that you wish to bring your buggy to London, or if you have older children, you will probably need to use a stroller if you are planning on spending the whole day walking around London.

When you first become a parent in London, using public transport with a buggy isn´t easy at first. Still, you eventually learn how to get around and quickly learn how to read London´s accessibility maps and find the best routes. The truth is that travelling in London with a buggy can be very easy if you know which route is best, or it can be a complete nightmare if you have to go up or down 300 steps when there are no lifts.

This is why we are going to explain how to travel on London´s public transport with a buggy.

Travelling on London´s buses with a buggy

Public buses in London have a dedicated wheelchair and buggy space as well as easy street-level access, and travelling by bus with a buggy normally is the easiest option to get around London. You can enter the bus via the back door, which makes it a bit easier too. Up to two pushchairs are allowed in the dedicated buggy space on a bus, but do bear in mind that during busy periods you may be asked to wait for the next bus or collapse your pushchair.

Travelling on the London Underground with a buggy

The trick to travelling in London with kids using a pushchair is to check London´s accessible underground map in advance and choose your route carefully. Being able to plan your route by choosing accessible stations makes life much easier. It may just mean that you need to get off at the next stop and walk 5 minutes, rather than having to take a buggy and a baby up 100 steps.

Unfortunately, not all underground stations in London are accessible. Most underground stations in London will have escalators, and many stations will also have stairs before reaching the platform. Many other stations have lifts to some platforms, and some stations are completely accessible, with lifts from the ticket office to the platform.

Travelling in London with a buggy is easier if there are two adults as one of you can carry the baby whilst the other one can take the buggy up or down the stairs. If it´s just one adult taking a buggy then I would encourage you to check the best route first. Whenever I had no choice and had to get off at an underground station that wasn’t accessible with a buggy, there has always been someone willing to help me. If you need help going up or down the stairs and you ask a staff member for help, for health and safety reasons, they will ask you to carry the baby and take the buggy for you. I have to say that a lot of people will use the escalators with a buggy, but I would recommend that you use stations with lifts.

London Underground Accessibility Maps

On the London Underground map, you will see that accessible underground stations are marked with the symbol of a wheelchair, in either a blue circle or a white circle.

• Blue circle: Fully accessible station. This means it is possible to go from street level onto the underground carriage without any steps. In these cases, the platform will have a slightly elevated area that avoids steps to get onto the train.
• White circle: Accessible Station. This means that there are no steps from street level to the platform. There is some unevenness when getting onto the train. This is important for someone using a wheelchair, but it usually isn´t a problem when taking a buggy onto the train.

In addition to this map, there is a Step Free Tube Map , which is a lot more detailed and the one I recommend you check when travelling on the London Underground with a buggy. This map highlights the degree of accessibility at each station in detail and explains how accessible it is to change between underground lines at different stations.

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Hi. Thanks for this useful info. I was wondering how a child can use an Oyster card reduced rates. My brother is visiting for five days with five and two children: 6 and 16yo. They will stay in zone four where the only connection to London is on a train. Therefore, do you think the cheapest way to get there each day and back is to use three adult Oyster cards? I read on TFL that children 5-11 can travel free on all sort of transport eleven without a zip photocard as long as they travel with accompanied adult. Of that’s the case, do they go through the gates together touching just with one card?

Hi Pawel, The cheapest way for the adults is to use an oyster card (or contactless debit or credit card ). The 6-year-old travels free, no ticket needed. They just go through the large gates (which are designed for families, disabled or people with luggage) with an adult. The 16-year-old can use an oyster card, like the adults, but will pay the same fare as the adults, but the best thing is to request they apply the young visitor discount on his oyster card at any underground station, paying half the fare than the adults for each journey. Hope that helps, I know it’s quite tricky!

Hi. Thanks for further explanation. I asked today at my local train station (national rail) in zone four and he advised me (although he didn’t sound entirely convincing) that the free travel for under 11s applies only on TFL transport and not on national rail even if it’s within London. Do you know if that’s the case as I read conflicting info on TFL.

Hi Pawel, this is my understanding too, children 5 – 11 need a ticket for national rail trains. Sorry I hadn’t realised you meant train, not underground! Let me know what station it is and I can look into it for you. =)

I’m visiting London with my two daughters (12 and 14). I thought I would get the visitor Oyster card and then ask for the family discount when we get there. How does this actually work going through the tap barriers? Do we all go through with one card?

Many thanks for your help with this! Michelle

Hi Michelle, As they are over 11 years old they need a card each – an oyster card with young visitor discount is the best option for them. Then each one of you will need to tap the card onto the yellow reader at the barrier to go through one by one. Hope that helps!

Many thanks! 🤗

Thanks a lot for the great information! I have a question regarding the young visitors discount. My daughter just turned 16 last month. Theoretically she won’t be able to get the discount, because on the official website it’s says only for children 11-15 years old. Am I missing something? Thanks!

Hi Anna, Yes, unfortunately the young visitor discount only applies to under 16s. As she is already 16, you would need to consider a zip card, or just a normal oyster card, as the zip card has a processing fee which probably makes it not worth it. Hope that helps!

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Child fares on London’s Underground, buses & transport 2024

Identifying child fare concessions available to your child with previously asked questions.

Child fares on London's Underground and buses are very complicated and fragmented.

Every year on January 2, ticket regulations and prices are reviewed and regularly child fare rules and options are tinkered around with as well as the adjustments to prices.

This page tries to explain as simply as possible the situation for your child, together with some workarounds to get around some of the restrictions. At the bottom of this page we also have some commonly asked questions on the subject of child fares in London.

At one extreme your child may travel free everywhere, at the other end of the spectrum if unprepared you may end up paying adult fares – so it's worthwhile making sure you understand the subject.

Child fare entitlement   Young visitor discount   Child Oyster cards   Other options   Previously asked questions

Free and reduced child fare entitlement by age band

Children under five can travel free at any time on all public transport without a ticket as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

Children 5-10 years old

Under-11s can travel free at any time on London's buses and trams without a ticket.

They can also travel free at any time on the Tube, London Overground and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) when they are travelling with an adult who has a valid ticket. Up to 4 children under 11 years old accompanied by a paying adult travel free on the London Underground.

Unaccompanied children between 5 and 10 must have a valid 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard for free travel. (Ah yes, the Photocard we'll come back to these further down the page).

On trains in the London area run by the national railways children between 5 and 15 need a child ticket. Most visitors do not use train services run by the national rail companies as they are essentially commuter services from the suburbs.

Which trains within London are are run by national rail companies

To the visitor it is becoming increasingly difficult to explain which surface rail lines within London are run by the national rail companies and which offer free travel to 5-10 year olds.

Very crudely speaking, if your surface train (not Underground train) runs from Paddington, Marylebone, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Blackfriars, Charing Cross, Waterloo or Victoria it will almost certainly be a national railways train.

For visitors the most popular trains used within London that are national rail run are Waterloo to Hampton Court and Waterloo or Paddington to Windsor.

Children 11-15 years old

Unaccompanied children aged 11 to 15 years must get an 11-15 Zip Oyster Photo card to travel free on buses and trams and at child rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services using an Oyster card (see Oyster Photocard section below).

You can buy child rate Travelcards and single one-way child tickets on the Underground, railways and DLR, but not the buses.

For most visitors staying in London for 2 weeks or less with children between 11 and 15 the ticket of choice is an adult Oyster card loaded with a Young Persons Discount.

The Young Persons Discount has its own section further down the page.

Children 16-17 years old

In the UK you become an adult when you are 16. However in London it is possible to get child fares by getting a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.

It is very similar to 11-15 Oyster Photocards, but you cannot use it to buy 1 Day Travelcards.

For short-term visitors, for most it is not a realistic option because of the expense and time required to obtain an Oyster ID Card - you'll just have to accept your child is an adult while in the UK.

Student 18+ years

If you are studying at a recognised educational establishment in London that is registered for the scheme and you are residing in London you can apply for a Student 18+ Oyster ID card.

This enables you to get 30% discount off bus and Travelcards of 7 days or longer.

The Young Visitor Discount - for children between 11 & 15 in London less than 15 days

The Oyster ID Card required by children between 11 and 15 to get child rate fares on Oyster is for most short-term visitors not a realistic proposition.

The cost, hassle and time to process the ID card is just not worth the effort. The Young Visitor Discount scheme has been created as the answer for short-term visitors who have children between 11 and 15.

The Young Visitor discount gives half adult rate pay as you go fares on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services for up to 14 days and gives your child a daily cap half that of an adult.

After 14 days the discount will expire and the Oyster card will charge full adult rate fares.

The discount can be set on both regular Oyster Cards and Visitor Oyster cards.

Oyster Cards - more details

The Young Visitor Discount can only be set onto Oyster Cards and Visitor Oyster Cards at:

• Any Underground station (including Heathrow Airport). Although there are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground Stations members of staff will be available in the ticket hall with the ticket machines. Just make contact with a member of staff to have the Young Visitor Discount loaded onto the Oyster.
• Visitor or Travel Information Centres (Gatwick & Heathrow Airports, Liverpool Street, Euston, Paddington and King's Cross Railway Stations and Piccadilly Circus Underground Station)
• Victoria Station National Railways Ticket office
• TFL Rail station ticket offices

To get the Young Visitor Discount:

• You and your child must be together at the ticket office when asking for it to be set
• One adult can get the Young Visitor Discount set for up to four children

Child Rate Oyster Cards & Oyster Photo ID Cards

The Oyster ID Card is no real problem if you are a London resident with a young child. Take a little time for the initial registration process to get your Oyster Photocard and that's your passport to free and half price public transport until you are an adult. When you want a child travel product, just produce your Oyster Photocard.

For visitors it's a lot of hassle and expense to procure an Oyster ID Card and often it's too late when you do find out the hoops you have to jump through to get child fares via the Oyster Photocard.

If you are a short-term visitor the probable solution is the Young Visitor Discount detailed in the section above or one of the work around solutions detailed in the section below.

First of all, the recurrent question from visitors – my child has got a passport with his/her age on it, isn’t that good enough as ID? I’m afraid the answer is no, you need London’s unique Oyster Photocard, nothing else.

How do I get an Oyster Photocard?

If you are a resident of London, it's quite straightforward. Get a form from your local Post Office and fill it in, then return to the Post Office with the fee, a passport size photo, plus birth certificate or passport and you should get it in 2 weeks.

If you are resident in the UK then you have to do the process online, you'll get the Photocard within 4 weeks.

If you live outside the UK you must apply at least four weeks before the date you want to collect the Zip Oyster Photocard and select which London Visitor Centre you want to collect it from (it's not sent to your home address). You can apply up to three months in advance of your chosen collection date.

Oyster ID Cards cost between £10 and £20 depending on the ID card required.

Oyster ID Card application page & full details

Other child rate work around options

Other ways of obtaining child fares other than Oyster ID Cards and the Young Visitor Discount are:

• You can buy child single journey tickets for journeys on the Underground, DLR and trains but not the buses. But note these are the most expensive child rate fares available.
• You can buy child 7 day Travelcards from national railway station ticket offices without Oyster ID Cards. As a rough guide if you travelling in London 5 or more days in any 7 then a 7 Day Travelcard works out cheaper than Oyster Pay As You Go.
• If you do not have a railways ID card you will need to provide a passport size photo and this is made up on the spot free of charge. Railway stations in the centre of London with railway ticket offices (that are manned) include: Paddington, Marylebone, Euston, King's Cross, St Pancras, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo and Victoria. You cannot buy 7 day Travelcards from the railways at any airport station.

Travelcards - more details

• You can buy 7 Day Child Travelcards without any photo ID online from the TfL / Visit Britain online shop and have them delivered to your home, including overseas. There is a delivery charge.

TfL/Visit Britain online shop

Previously asked questions on child fares in London

At present we are unable to maintain the discuss service but you can contact us using the Contact Us link at the bottom of each page. We have decided to leave the answers here as they are useful for many of the questions we receive. If you cannot find an answer to your question, we'll be happy to hear from you.

How to Pay for Kids on Public Transport When Visiting London

We often get asked about how to pay for kids on London’s public transport, and although it’s actually pretty straightforward, it differs depending on the child’s age. So, we’ve broken down some of the most commonly asked questions so that your next trip with the kids in the city is as seamless as possible. Please note that this article is relevant to London transport only and not trains outside the city.

Do kids have to pay to use public transport in London?

It depends on how old they are.

Under the age of five

If your child is under the age of 5, they can travel for free at all times on London’s transport system. This covers buses, the London Overground, the Tube, DLR, Uber Boats and the IFS Cloud Cable Car (formerly Emirates Air Line Cable Car), which offers aerial views of the city’s skyline. But, they can only travel for free if they’re travelling alongside a fare-paying adult.

Aged between five and ten

Again, children aged 6 and 10 can travel at no cost on London’s Tube, DLR and London Overground, as long as they travel with a fare-paying adult. They do not need an Oyster card, and up to four children can travel at any time with one paying adult. However, if you want to see London from up high on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, children between 5 and 15 will only need to pay child rates.

If you plan to travel by Uber Boat at least a couple of times in a day, you’re best off purchasing a Family River Roamer ticket , where you can hop on and off an unlimited amount of times; it’s valid for two adults and three children aged 5 to 15 years.

Aged between 11 and 15

Kids 11 to 15 do have to pay for transport, but they can get 50% off their fares for up to 14 days with the Young Visitor Discount. To get this, you’ll need to buy an Oyster card , a transport card that costs £7 (non-refundable), and can be topped up at stations with credit which allows you to travel. Once you have your card, ask a member of staff at any tube or train station to add the Young Visitor Discount to it. Just be sure to have your kid with you when you ask for this.

This works in the same way as any regular paying adult. However, if they don’t have a contactless card or Apple Pay/Google Pay, then it’s best to purchase them an Oyster card that they can then top up.

Does every kid need a payment card?

Kids under 11 do not need a payment card. But aged 11 and above do, and as mentioned above, Oyster is usually best.

How do you take kids under 11 onto the tube without their own card?

At all stations, there will be a row of narrow ticket barriers where you can enter in and out using your contactless card, Oyster card or paper ticket. Alongside these narrow barriers, there will always be wide barriers (usually two) at the end of the rows designed for people travelling with suitcases, kids, dogs and larger items, so use those (see the picture above). These are made so that people can go through the barriers without getting accidentally trapped on the way through.

For the bus, just take the kids on, pay your own fare and find a seat.

Do adults need Oyster cards to travel in London?

There are three main ways that adults can pay for public transport in London: Oyster card, debit or credit card and Apple or Google Pay. Oyster cards are not required when using the city’s transport system, but there are some things that you’ll need to familiarise yourself with before visiting. Take a look at our recent guide on how to pay for public transport in London to get an in-depth understanding of the best ways you can pay for transportation in the city.

Hope we helped you figure out how to pay for kids on London’s public transport. Have a great time!

How to Pay for Public Transport in London

Unique Things to Do with Kids In London

Best London Hotels for Families

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London Underground Child Fares – Tube Ticket Prices 2024

Are children free on the london underground.

Children aged under-11 (with an adult) – Children under the age of 11 can travel for free on the London Underground, London Overground, DLR and TFL Rail with no time restrictions, as long as they’re accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to a maximum of four children per adult). They don’t require a tube ticket.

They might also be able to travel for free on some National Rail services (the overground trains that head outside London), but each train company has their own rules about age limits and timings, so you need to check with them first. Generally speaking under 5’s usually get free travel on the train, but only if they’re not taking up a seat required by a fare-paying passenger. Children aged between 5-15 might be charged a half-price train fare.

Children aged under-11 (without an adult) – Children aged between 5-10 travelling without any adult supervision can only travel for free if they’re carrying a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard . (Tourists might wonder why 5-10 year-olds are allowed to travel unaccompanied on the tube, but it’s not unusual to see primary school children go a few stops on the Underground.)

How do children get through the ticket barrier?

A child under the age of 11 doesn’t need a ticket when they’re travelling with an adult, so lots of people wonder how they’re going to get their children through the barrier.

All you have to do is look for the extra-wide gate that’s always provided for wheelchair users and people carrying bulky bags. If you use that gate then there will be plenty of space to walk your child through by your side.

If your child doesn’t get through in time then just find a member of TFL staff behind the gate who will use their own TFL pass to swipe them through. (Bear in mind that they might ask for proof of age if your child looks over 11.)

Do children get cheap fares on the tube?

Children aged between 11-15 – Children aged between 11-15 can pay a child rate on single fares and child travelcards if they have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard . They also get a cheaper child price on single fares if the Young Visitor Discount has been applied to their Oyster card.

We always recommend that people use the Young Visitor Discount if they’re staying in London for less than two weeks, because the children’s photocards cost money, which will almost certainly wipe out any savings you’ll make.

Children aged between 16-17 – Children aged between 16-17 can pay child rates on single fares and travelcards with a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard .

What is the Young Visitor Discount?

If you have a child aged between 11-15 and are staying in London for less than two weeks then you should forget about buying a Zip Oyster photocard – you’re much better off taking advantage of the Young Visitor Discount which entitiles them to half-price fares on the London Underground for a maximum of fourteen consecutive days.

All you have to do is buy your child a regular London Oyster card or Oyster card for visitors (but not a travelcard), load some credit onto it, and then ask a member of TFL staff to apply the ‘Young Visitor Discount’ to it. You can usually find one standing behind the ticket barriers in the ticket hall. Unfortunately it’s not possible to do this online beforehand – you can only do it in person once you arrive in London.

You can do it at a London Underground station, a National Rail station (within London) or one of the Visitor Centres at Heathrow airport, Euston station , King’s Cross , Liverpool Street , Paddington , Piccadilly Circus or Victoria . (Note: You won’t find any manned ticket windows in London Underground stations anymore, because they’ve all been phased out. The only place they have windows these days are National Rail stations.)

Be aware that your child must be with you when you do it (up to a maximum of four children per adult), and the staff member might ask for proof of age if they look over 15 – so make sure you’ve got their passport handy, or some other form of age-related ID.

Your child can then carry on using the card exactly like a normal Oyster card – tapping it down on the same yellow readers that adults do – and the computer will automatically charge them the Oyster card child rate. Once the fourteen days are over any remaining credit will still be on the card, but the computer will revert back to charging adult tube fares again.

Can a child use contactless on the train?

There are no contactless fares for children. If your child is lucky enough to own a bank card then they can use it, but the computer will just charge them a normal adult tube fare instead. That’s because the chips on bank cards don’t carry any information about your age, so the computer has no way of knowing they’re a child.

What is a Zip Oyster photocard?

5-10 Zip Oyster photocard – Kids under the age of 11 already get free tube travel if they’re accompanied by a fare-paying adult, but if they need to travel alone then they’ll have to get hold of a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard beforehand.

5-10 Zip Oyster photocards cost £10 each, and expire the day before your child’s 11th birthday.

11-15 Zip Oyster photocard – Kids over the age of 10 years 11 months, and under the age of 16 on the 31st August , can get themselves an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard for £15 and benefit from cheap tube fares and child rate travelcards.

If your child is currently 16 but was aged 15 on the 31st August just gone, then they can still get one because it doesn’t actually expire until the 30th September in the year following your child’s 16th birthday.

16+ Zip Oyster photocard – 16-17 year-olds can get cheap London Underground fares and child rate travelcards with a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard .

16+ Zip Oyster photocards cost £20 and expire on the 30th September in the year following your child’s 18th birthday.

Where can you get a Zip Oyster photocard?

There’s only one way to get a Zip Oyster photocard – the child’s parent or guardian has to order it from the TFL website .

The adult will have to set up an account in their own name, and then verify the child’s age using the details printed on a machine-readable passport. If they don’t have the child’s passport available then they’ll have to print off a form and take it to their local Post Office instead. They will also need to upload a digital colour photo.

If you want the photocard posted to a UK address then allow for four weeks delivery. You can also pick it up from one of the Visitor Centres at Heathrow, Euston , King’s Cross , Liverpool Street , Paddington , Piccadilly Circus or Victoria when you arrive in London.

How do you top-up a Zip Oyster photocard?

To top-up a Zip Oyster photocard the parent or guardian has to log into their TFL account (which they would have created when they bought the card).

They can also switch on the handy ‘auto top-up’ feature by selecting ‘Add an existing card’, and then entering the 12-digit number printed on the back of the child’s photocard. This will automatically draw another £20 or £40 from the adult’s bank account every time the child’s credit drops below £20.

Note: If the child is under the age of 11 then they’ll be entitled to free tube travel, so there’s no need to put any credit on it.

Is it worth getting a Zip Oyster photocard?

We don’t recommend child photocards for foreign tourists on a short stay because they cost too much money – the purchase fee of £10 to £20 will probably wipe out all the savings you’d make. It’s also a hassle having to order it online and then picking it up once you arrive in London.

Tourists are much better off buying an Oyster card instead, and then paying for child tube tickets with a Young Visitor Discount attached to it.

Can a child use a passport as proof-of-age?

Having to stump up £10 to £20 puts a lot of people off buying a Zip Oyster photocard, and they wonder whether they can just prove their child’s age with a passport instead. It’s a nice idea, but unfortunately it’s not allowed. The only way of getting a cheap child fare on the London Underground is with a Zip Oyster photocard.

How do you use a Zip Oyster photocard on the train?

Using a child’s Zip Oyster photocard on the train is really no different to an adult using a regular Oyster card . All you have to do is load it up with some credit beforehand, and then they child taps them down on the same yellow readers that adults do. The computer will then deduct the correct fare and open the gate.

Note: There’s no need to do load it up with credit if your child is under-11, because they get free tube travel – but they still need to tap it down, because that’s the only way of opening the gate.

What is a 16-25 Railcard?

A 16-25 Railcard (also known as a 16-25 Young Persons Railcard or Student Railcard ), entitles you to ⅓-off train fares if you’re planning on using some National Rail trains to places outside of London. Given how expensive train tickets are these days it will probably pay for itself after three or four journeys.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully though, because it doesn’t apply to all journeys on the London Underground . If you’re travelling on the tube then all you really get are cheap tickets for off-peak single fares on Oyster, a discount off the Oyster daily price cap , and some money knocked-off the cost of a zone 1-9 one day travelcard when bought together with a National Rail ticket outside of London.

You might also find that you’re subject to a hefty minimum fare when travelling between 4.30 AM and 10 AM on Monday to Friday, which will probably render it useless for daily commutes on London transport.

If you’re interested then check out their website at railcard.co.uk

Your comments and questions

Karl Can anyone please advise me if under11s travel for free on the tube as I keep getting different info?

Staff Under 11s can travel for free if they are accompanied by an adult, or they have a 5-10 Zip Oystercard. [Note: If your child looks older than 10 then they will need a 5 -10 Zip Oyster photocard. If they don't have a card and a staff member thinks he's over 10, then he's entitled to make you pay.]

Annie Hi. I'll be in London for 3 days with my 12 year old. I have an Oyster card but don't have time to get her a 11-15 Oyster card before I travel. I can always get her paper one day tickets but as she's not particularly big could I get away with her travelling on my Oyster card as an 11 year old? When tickets are checked do the inspectors ask for proof of age?

Staff Kids have to be 10 or under to travel for free on the tube (and accompanied by an adult). So even if she was 11 she would still have to pay. But what you are asking to do is fare evasion - a criminal offence - and you could get in trouble.

Tony Casey Hi, I understand that children under 11 years travel free on the tube. I will be using a contactless card but what does my child aged 10 yrs need to get through the barriers? Thanks

Staff As long as he's travelling with an adult then he doesn't need anything at all. Most people use the extra wide gate for buggies so their kids have enough time to squeeze through alongside them, but you can always ask the member of staff who stands by the gates to let him through. If you get an unlucky member of staff who decides your kid looks over 10 then they might ask for proof of age.

Danielle We're travelling with 2 kids (9 and 7). As I read, the kids don't need an Oyster card and can travel for free. How does that work for them? I recall that the tube turnstiles are opening pretty fast? Is it easy and practical for our family? Thank you,

Staff Hi Danielle. They always have an extra wide gate for wheelchair users and people with suitcases and buggies, so just use that one. Then your kids will have enough time to get through with you. If they get stuck behind then just ask a member of staff to tap them through (but they might ask for proof of age if they look older than 10).

Becky Hi. I just realised I am too late to order my Visitor Oyster cards for myself, husband & son. I realise that I could just get normal PAYG Oyster cards when I get to London. The only thing is will I still get free travel for my 10 year old daughter? Appreciate any help

Staff Hi Becky. 10 year olds always travel for free anyway (as long as they're accompanied by an adult) - they don't need an Oyster card. The only exception is when they look older than 10, in which case the staff may stop you and ask for proof of age. If you're worried about that happening then you can always just take their passport along.

Becky Thanks for your brilliantly fast response

Thear If I plan on buying 4 Visitor Oyster Cards and putting the Young Visitor discount on 2 of them, should I apply the 50% discount when I order the cards? (Ex: 2 cards at £40 and 2 cards at £20 instead of 4 cards at £40)

Staff Hi Thear. You can't actually apply the discount yourself, or do it online, you have to ask a member of staff at the station to do it. But yes, you could put half the amount of credit onto it if you wish. You can always top them up again later if the credit runs out.

Jim Davison Visiting London with my wife and 12 yr old son and we intend using contactless cards for travel. Can I only get half price travel for my son if one of us were to buy a Visitor Oyster card and then get it amended in tube station

Staff Hi Jim. You and your wife can still use contactless, but you'll have to buy a normal adult Oyster card for your kid (Visitor Oyster cards are the same thing), then load some money onto it, then find a member of staff at the tube station to put the 'Young Visitor Discount' onto it. And remember that your kid has to be present for them to do it, because they'll want to check how old he looks.

Eamon Travelling into London from Somerset at the weekend with wife and 2 children, under 10 years. Will my kids travel free if my wife and I use contactless cards to travel on underground.

Staff Hi Eamon, that's right. Under 11s travel for free (if they happen to look over 11 then there's a possibility a member of staff might ask for proof of age).

SG Hi Looking to travel with two kids under 10 and two adults with contactless cards. Never been London before so was wondering if I've got the right end of the stick: I know that the kids travel free, but how do they go through barriers if they've got no cards? (I scan mine and walk through, partner does the same - how do the kids get across if that makes sense!?!) Thanks in advance for your help.

Staff Hi SG, you just walk them through at the same time as yourself. The best thing to do is use the extra-wide gate. They always have one at the end for people with wheelchairs and buggies. If you kid is a bit slow and gets stuck behind the barrier then just ask the train staff to use their card to open the gate and let him through.

AJTB How does the contactless system determine a child rate from an adult rate?

Staff Hi ATJB. It can't, because bank cards don't have your age on the chip. If you look at the fares above then you'll see that there are no child fares for contactless cards. If you tap down with it then you'll be charged an adult fare.

Petra I would like to know,where can a child get a Photocard, which is needed to get the cheaper fare for children. We are visitors from abroad, coming to London only for a few days. Thanks a lot.

Staff Hi Petra. It's not worth getting a photocard for that short a time because you have to pay for it, which will wipe out any savings you make on the child fares. But visitors can get something called a 'Young Visitor Discount' instead (see above). Al you do is buy them a normal pay-as-you-go Oyster card and then go up to a ticket window, or member of staff in the station, and ask them to apply the 'Young Visitor Discount' to it. This will knock 50% off the fare for up to 14 days.

Jess Do I need to buy a travelcard for my 8 year old as well. I have been doing some reading and I think a weekly travelcard makes more sense for my family than the Oyster card. However, I just need to know if 1) children below 11 need a travelcard or no and 2) will my daughter who is 11 get a discount on the travelcard as is the case with the Oyster card. Thanks

Staff Hi Jess. Under 11s travel for free on the tube so they wont need a travelcard (or an Oyster card, or anything). 11 year olds do get cheaper travelcards, but only if they have an 11-15 Zip photocard. But the photocard costs money if you don't already have one, so it will actually end up costing more. I would get the 11 year old an Oyster card and then have the 50% young visitor discount added to it.

EdW If paying contactless with a child, how does the child go through barrier?

Staff Hi Edw. Just use the extra-wide gate they always have for people with buggies and wheelchairs, and walk him through at the same time as you.

Lorraine How does it work paying contact less for 4 adults and a eleven year old on one card do you buy tickets or tap card

Staff Hi Lorraine. There are no contactless fares for children, and each adult needs to use their own card to get a contactless fare. If you only have one card between you then you’ll have to use it to buy tickets at the self-service machine instead, but then you’ll be paying the cash fare - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

H D I am travelling to Edinburgh and need to take the tube with my 12 yr old son how do I get tickets for this journey

Staff If its just a one-off journey then just buy them a ticket at a self-service machine inside the station. you will be best off using your contactless card on the gate (assuming you have a UK bank card)

PATRICIA What stations can I get the young person discount applied to oyster card at I be staying near Richmond station

Staff Hi Patricia. Any station with some staff, so Richmond station is okay

Lynsay My 11 yr old & I are arriving on Saturday. I'm worried the Oyster card I ordered won't arrive in time: if I use contactless for my travel, can I buy a pay as you go Oyster for him when we arrive in London (to convert to Young Visitor Discount)? Any better suggestions? We will there 4 days, mostly zone 1. Tia

Staff Hi Lynsay. You can do. But if you ordered a Visitor Oyster Card you won't be able to get one of those in central London, only a normal blue one. But they are basically both the same anyway (the Visitor ones come with their credit already loaded on, but you have to choose your amount when you buy the blue ones). I wouldn't bother buying a travelcard for your kid, because four 1-days or a weekly one would be more expensive. All the places you can buy a blue one are described on this page: city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

Christine Alice Hello I am 68 years old travelling with my 14 year old grandaughter for 6 full days in October . Planning do do a fair bit of travelling around London using public transport . Can you suggest best cost effective way to do this ?

Staff Hi Christine, assuming you dont live in London you”ll have to pay a normal adult fare. The easiest and cheapest fares for you will be with your contactless card (your normal everyday bank card) - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php The cheapest fares for your granddaughter will be if you buy her an Oyster card and then get a ‘Young Visitor Discount’ applied to it. Its all explained on the page above

Rosie How much is a monthly travel for child zip card 11-15 years old for trains underground

Staff Hi Rosie. Zip cards are like Oyster cards, you load them up with as much credit as you need. So theres no price for a monthly one. Do you mean a monthly travelcard? The prices for those are in the table above. The travelcard can then be loaded onto the Zip card.

Pat Dawson I have disabled bus pass and will be traveling with my 15 year old grandson taking him home after the hoildays ge does gave a zip card but didt bring ot with him do I need to buy travel card to get him home

Staff Hi Pat. if it’s just a one-off trip then you're better off just buying him a single adult ticket from the machine at the station. A travelcard will work out more expensive but are you talking about buses or trains? - if its buses you should get him the cheaper 1-day travelcard for buses/trams - city-guide.london/​transport/​travelcards.php

John Cossins I want to take my 11 year old grandchild with me on the underground. How do I pay her fare as well as my own?

Staff Hi John. If its a one-off journey then you can just buy her a paper ticket from the self-service machine, using your bank card or cash. If you're taking multiple journeys throughout the day then you might want to buy her an adult 1-day travelcard instead (she’d need to have an oyster photocard to get a child price)

Lee Hi i am going to be travelling with an 11yr old just visiting attractions in zones 1 and 2 in 6 days. what is the cheapest way for us both to travel on the underground in these zones. I think for me i would just tap my debit card but what do i get for my daughter? clearly no time or need for 11-15 card for 1 day trip

Staff Hi Lee. Not sure if you mean a 1 day or a 6 day stay. If it's six days then I would buy her an Oyster card and have the 'Young Visitor Discount' applied to it, which will get her 50% off the fares. We explain how to do it in the 'What is the Young Visitor Discount?' section above. If it's just 1 day then I would just buy her an adult 1-day travelcard from the machine

Rish How does 11-5 zip card work? Do I top up like oyster card for adult?

Staff Hi Rish. The adult who created the account has to top it up. Then it works the same way as an oyster card. Its all explained in the "How can you top-up a child’s photocard?" section above

Jeff Hi, my wife is taking our grandchild (12) to London for the day, she has her own Oyster card. Can I lend my card to my granddaughter with credit on, and have the Young Visitor Discount applied? then afterwards it will automatically revert back to an adult card?

Staff Hi Jeff. If there's just pay-as-you-go credit on it then yes, that's no problem, but if it already has a travelcard or another discount loaded on to it (maybe because of age or disability), then no. And bear in mind that the Young Visitor Discount won't disappear for 14 days, so you won't be able to use it again yourself until it expires, otherwise you'll be paying a child fare.

Liz Hi I’ve got a 60+ travel card but am taking my 12 year old granddaughter to London next week what is the best card for her ?

Staff Hi Liz. If it’s just one day then the easiest thing to do is to get her a one day travelcard. If it’s for longer then you might be better off getting her an oyster card and having the ‘young visitor discount’ applied to it. But it all depends on how many days you’re staying and how many trips you’re making

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Travelling in London with kids: Fares, Tickets and Advice

by Ren Nair Last Update: 19 Oct 2023

When planning a family trip to London…

…one of the things you’ll be thinking about is how are we going to get around London, and, how travelling in London with kids works. You’re probably asking yourself what fares children need to pay on London´s public transport and you may even want to know how to use London´s public transport with a buggy.

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A great day out without compromise.

• Children´s fares when travelling in London • Travelling from the airport to central London • Travelling in London with a buggy

Travelling in London with kids: Fares and transport passes

When travelling in London with kids it is important to know that children will pay different fares on London´s transport depending on their age. There are transport passes for children, and these transport passes will be valid for London´s underground network, buses, DLR, overground and trains within London travel zones.

Children under 11 years of age

Children under the age of 11 travel free on London´s buses and trams, with or without an adult, at any time, and don’t need a ticket. Children under the age of 11 also travel free on London Underground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), overground and TFL rail without a ticket if they’re accompanied by a paying adult. Up to 4 children can travel for free with an adult that has a valid ticket. When entering the London underground with children under the age of 11, it’s advisable to use the larger access doors. These doors are wider and don´t close as fast as the single doors and are designed for people travelling in London with kids, those with luggage or disabled passengers.

Visiting attractions with kids?

Keetoo stands out as one of the top choices for families seeking days out in London, offering substantial savings on gate prices while providing seamless access through the convenience of your phone. With everything stored digitally and total flexibility, Keetoo ensures hassle-free and enjoyable days out with the kids. Simply choose the places you wish to visit, who’s going with you and up pops the saving and you’re on your way!

Children from 11 to 16 years of age

Children between the ages of 11 and 16 can travel at a reduced rate on London´s public transport. There are several options and to make it simple, we’re going to summarise these below. Children from 11 to 16 years old can also travel with an adult Oyster card or travel card if necessary. But bear in mind, they’ll not benefit from reduced rates on travel.

Option 1: Oyster card with Young Visitor Discount

This is a great option if you’re planning on travelling in London with kids. An Oyster card with young visitor discount will apply half adult rates for 14 days. After 14 days this discount will expire, and the Oyster card will charge full adult rates again. The Oyster card can also be returned at the end of your trip, just like a normal Oyster card.

All you need to do is buy an Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card, either online or at an underground station, and then ask a member of staff to set the Young Visitor Discount. This discount can be applied at any underground station in London, including the underground station at Heathrow Airport. An adult will need to give their personal details to register the Oyster card before the discount can be applied, and you might be asked to confirm the child´s age. You and your child will need to be together when asking for the Young Visitor Discount to be set onto an Oyster card, and an adult can request the young visitor discount to be set for up to 4 children (on separate Oyster cards).

Option 2: Zip Oyster Photocard

The Zip Oyster photocard will entitle children of up to 16 years of age to reduced fares on the underground and overground and other TFL services, as well as free travel on trams and buses. The Zip Oyster photocard is normally the best option for children that live in London, as the process to get an Oyster photocard for a child can take some time and there’s an initial registration fee of up to £20 – so this is normally not the best option for visitors.

You can get a Zip Oyster photocard if you live in London, all you need to do is fill in a form that you will find at your local Post Office and return it to the Post Office. You will also need to include a passport sized photo and a copy of the birth certificate or passport and pay the fee. You should get the Zip Oyster photocard in 2 weeks.

If you’re a UK resident, you’ll need to do the process online on TFL’s website and you should get the Zip Oyster photocard within 4 weeks.

If you live outside the UK you will need to do the process online on TFL’s website. When applying, you’ll need to choose which London Visitor Centre (Liverpool Street Station, Victoria Station, Euston, Gatwick, King’s Cross station) you want to collect the Zip Oyster photocard from, as it will not be sent to your home address. You’ll need to apply at least 3 weeks in advance but can also apply up to three months in advance.

Option 3: 1 Day Child Travelcard

A one-day child travelcard will allow unlimited travel at any time of the day on any form of public transport in London for the chosen London travel zones. No ID is needed to purchase this one-day child travelcard, but fares using an Oyster card with young visitor discount are normally cheaper. If you’re visiting London for several days and choose this option you’ll have to buy a one-day child travelcard for each day, and this will work out a lot more expensive than using an Oyster card with young visitor discount.

Option 4: 7 Day Child Travelcard

To buy a 7-day child travelcard in London there are 3 options: 1 – By adding a weekly travelcard into a Zip Oyster photocard. This is undoubtedly the most complicated option, as you need to request a Zip Card Oyster photocard first and then add the 7-day travelcard onto it. 2 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard online. This is probably the easiest way of getting one, as you do not need a Zip Oyster photocard and they will send it to your home address before you travel. 3 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard at a national railway ticket office (not an underground station).

People 16 to 18 years old

People aged 16 to 18 can also apply for a 16 – 18 Zip Oyster photocard, which will apply half adult rates on any form of public transport in London. Travelcards at a reduced price can also be added onto Zip Oyster photocards. For more information about travelling in London with kids visit: Transport for London.

Travelling in London with kids: Travelling to Central London from the airport Stansted, Luton and Gatwick airports are all located outside London’s Travel Zones, so fares when travelling with kids to and from these airports are different to fares when travelling in London with kids, so under 11-year old children will need a ticket.

An Oyster card is valid for travel into Central London from Gatwick Airport, but children under 11 will also need a train ticket to get to central London from Gatwick Airport, even if they are accompanied by an adult.

Heathrow and London City Airports are both inside London Travel Zones, so fares are as explained above. Children under 11 travel free and Children under 16 can travel with an Oyster card with young visitor discount.

Travelling in London with a buggy

If you are planning a trip with a baby or toddler, it may be that you wish to bring your buggy or stroller to London, especially if you’re planning on spending the whole day walking around London.

Travelling in London with a buggy can be quite easy if you know which route is best, or it can be a complete nightmare if you have to go up or down 300 steps when there are no lifts.

Don’t stress, we’re going to explain how to travel on London´s public transport with a buggy.

Travelling on London´s buses with a buggy

Public buses in London have a dedicated wheelchair and buggy space as well as easy street-level access. Travelling by bus with a buggy normally is the easiest option to get around London. You can enter the bus via the back door, which makes it a bit easier too. Up to two pushchairs are allowed in the dedicated buggy space on a bus but do bear in mind that during busy periods you may be asked to wait for the next bus or collapse your pushchair.

Travelling on the London Underground with a buggy

The trick to travelling in London with kids using a pushchair is to check London´s accessible underground map in advance and choose your route carefully. Being able to plan your route choosing accessible stations makes life much easier, and it may just mean that you need to get off at the next stop and walk 5 minutes, rather than having to take a buggy and a baby up 100 steps.

Unfortunately, not all underground stations in London are accessible. Most underground stations in London will have escalators, and many stations will also have some stairs at some point before reaching the platform. Many other stations have lifts to some of the platforms, and some stations are completely accessible, with lifts from the ticket office to the platform.

If you need help going up or down the stairs and you ask a member of staff for help, for health and safety reasons they will ask you to carry the baby and they will take the buggy for you.

London Underground Accessibility Maps

On the London Underground map, you will see that accessible underground stations are marked with the symbol of a wheelchair, in either a blue circle or a white circle.

• Blue circle: the underground station is fully accessible, which means that it is possible to go from street-level onto the underground carriage without any steps at all. In these cases, the platform will have an area that is slightly elevated to avoid any steps when getting onto the train.

• White circle: this means that there are no steps from street-level to platform, but there is some unevenness when getting onto the train. This is important for someone using a wheelchair, but it normally isn´t a problem when taking a buggy onto the train.

In addition to this map, there’s a Step Free Tube Map that is a lot more detailed and the one we’d recommend you check when travelling on the London Underground with a buggy. This map highlights the degree of accessibility at each station in detail and it also explains how accessible it is to change between underground lines at different stations.

Welcome to our Blog!

Hi, I’m Ren, a travel lover a mum of 2 and founder of Keetoo, a  leading website and app for tickets for days out. On this blog, I share our family travel experiences with practical information, pictures and useful tips!

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18 comments.

We are a family og 6 and looking for a decent hotel that won’t break the budget (as there are six of us) what is the best value 4 star (or even 5) hotel and we are they located?

The thing to be aware of is the star system only reflects the facilities offered by each hotel, not necessarily how good it is. It is only when you get to five-star level hotels that things like ambiance are taken into account. There are a variety of great hotels all over London. The best thing to do is to go through one of the main aggregators like booking.com – pick a budget, have a look at the area you would like to be in then have a look at reviews from guests that have been to the hotel most recently. This will give you the best insight as to the hotel that best fits your budget and then allow you to see the most recent guest reviews.

We have very young kids and are coming to London for the first time this summer. Is London and travelling in London easy with strollers and prams. It’s giving me nightmares thinking about getting around the city with them…any thoughts?

Overall, London is a fantastic city to explore with young children, and with some preparation and consideration, you can have a wonderful experience getting around with strollers and prams. Remember to plan your routes, check for accessible facilities, and be prepared for any weather changes, as London’s climate can be unpredictable.

We are London based but just don’t do touristy things and have friends coming over in the next few weeks. Any help on the best advice we can give then on getting out and about doing things. This will be their first trip in London but. they will be staying with us for around 3 weeks. Thinking of the major London attractions including the Tower of London, London Eye etc and perhaps a little further out??

London has so many touristy attractions to offer. Here are some quick ideas on what to do with your friends visiting for the first time: Visit the iconic landmarks: Take them so see must visit landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace (watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony), St Paul’s, Sightseeing Bus, and the London Eye for breath-taking views of the city from above and perhaps a relaxing river cruise to get a different perspective of the city. A great way to visit some of London’s best sights is with Keetoo which is super flexible and saves you every time if you’re looking to visit multiple venues. London is home to world-class museums and galleries. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and Natural History Museum are a few top choices that offer a diverse range of exhibits. Stroll through parks: Enjoy a leisurely walk-through beautiful parks like Hyde Park, Regents Park, and St. James’s Park. You can even have a picnic or rent rowboats in some of these parks. Take a Thames River Cruise: Experience London from a different perspective by taking a relaxing cruise along the river Thames. This provides excellent views of the city’s landmarks from the water. Shop at famous markets: Head to popular markets like Borough Market for delicious food, Covent Garden for shopping and street performers, and Camden Market for unique and alternative finds. Enjoy West End Theatre: Treat your friends to a memorable evening by watching a world-class musical or play in London’s West End theatre district. Discover historical neighbourhoods: Wander through charming neighbourhoods like Covent Garden, Notting Hill, and Greenwich, each with its own distinct character and attractions. Remember to check the opening hours and availability of tickets in advance for certain attractions. London has so much to offer, and your friends will surely have a fantastic time exploring the city’s rich history, culture, and entertainment options.

My daughter is in a wheelcgair and we are looking to go to the London eye – I have been told it doesn’t stop – Do you know if its easy to get wheelchair access and if so, how if its moving?

Yes it’s very easy – it has been designed very much so that people of all abilities have easy access. So there is no need to worry. Staff are very attentive too.

Do you know what is the minimum age for children at most London attraction some times it says 5-15 others 3-15. Why don’t they all just agree on one age range!!!!

Where is the best place to be located in London if we are looking to visit all the major sites?

The best place to be located in London for easy access to all the major sites would be in central London, particularly areas that are well-connected to public transportation. Here are some recommended neighbourhoods:

Westminster: This area is right in the heart of London and is home to many iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Staying here means you can easily walk to several major attractions.

Covent Garden: Located in the West End, Covent Garden is known for its vibrant atmosphere, theatres, shops, and restaurants. It’s within walking distance of attractions like the British Museum, Trafalgar Square, and Leicester Square.

South Bank: This area along the southern bank of the river Thames offers stunning views of the city skyline and is close to attractions like the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Shard.

Soho: Known for its lively nightlife, Soho is centrally located and provides easy access to Oxford Street for shopping, as well as theatres, restaurants, and Chinatown. It’s also close to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Kensington: A more upscale neighbourhood, Kensington offers proximity to major museums like the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum. It’s also near Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. Marylebone: This elegant area is close to Regent’s Park, Madame Tussauds, and Sherlock Holmes Museum. It’s well-connected by public transport, making it convenient for exploring other parts of the city.

When choosing accommodation, consider hotels near major Tube stations or bus stops to make getting around easier. London’s public transportation system is extensive, and you’ll be able to reach most of the city’s attractions quickly from central locations.Additionally, being centrally located allows you to make the most of your time and explore multiple sites without spending too much time on commuting.

If i want to just use my credit card to tap in and out on the London underground is that more expensive than buying and Oyster card?

Using your contactless credit or debit card to tap in and out on the London Underground is generally not more expensive than using an Oyster card. In fact, the fares for using contactless payment cards and Oyster cards are the same. Transport for London (TfL) introduced fare capping on contactless payments, which ensures that you won’t pay more than the cost of a daily or weekly Travelcard, depending on the number of journeys you make in a day or week. This is not the same for children however as you will be charged the adult amount. The benefits of using contactless payment cards include: No need to top up: With contactless, you don’t need to worry about topping up your card. The fare is automatically deducted from your credit or debit card account. Daily and weekly capping: If you make several journeys in a day or week, your total fare will be capped, providing cost savings compared to purchasing individual tickets. Same fares as Oyster: The fare structure is the same for both Oyster and contactless payment methods. Flexibility: You can use the same contactless card for public transportation throughout London, including buses, the Tube, DLR, London Overground, and TfL Rail services. However, before using your contactless card, ensure that your card is enabled for contactless payments and check with your bank or credit card provider for any additional fees or foreign transaction charges that may apply if you are visiting from abroad. Ultimately, using contactless payment for travel on the London Underground is a convenient and cost-effective option for most visitors and residents.

If you use the same credit card for the whole day it will be capped and no more than an all day travel card so will not work out more expensive than an Oyster Card. This is not the case though for children as you will get charged an adult amount.

We are coming into London for half term and don’t come in much so all a bit confused with what’s the best way to travel when in London. Also the best way to buy tickets to theatre attractions etc. We are a a family of four, what’s the best way to travel around on a budget for 4 days? Kids are 6 and 13. can you give any help or pointers to sites that can help would be gratefully received.

Visiting London for half term with your family can be an exciting experience! To make the most of your trip and travel around on a budget, consider the following tips: Oyster Card or Contactless Payment: For convenient and cost-effective travel, get Oyster cards for each member of your family. These can be used on London’s public transportation, including the Tube, buses, DLR, London Overground, and some National Rail services. Alternatively, you can use contactless payment cards (credit/debit cards) for the same fare capping benefits. Travelcards: If you plan to use public transportation frequently, consider buying a 7-day Travelcard or a Visitor Oyster card with a 7-day Travelcard loaded on it. This option allows unlimited travel within certain zones and can be more economical if you make multiple journeys daily. Kids Travel for Free: Children under the age of 11 can travel for free on the London Underground and buses when accompanied by an adult with a valid Oyster card or Travelcard. Children aged 11 to 15 can also travel for free on buses with an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Keetoo: If you plan to visit attractions like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, or the Tower of London, check Keetoo.com. An easy and affordable way to buy tickets meaning you’ll never pay full price and it offers a much more flexible way of booking – important when you’ve with the kids. Theatre Tickets: To get the best deals on theatre tickets, consider purchasing them in advance online from official websites or reputable ticket agents. You can also check for last-minute deals on the day of the show at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. Family-friendly attractions: London offers many family-friendly attractions like the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter. Half-term events: Check online for special events and activities taking place during the half term. Many museums, parks, and attractions offer seasonal programs for families. Visit London’s Parks: Take advantage of London’s beautiful parks like Hyde Park and Regent’s Park for picnics and outdoor activities. To plan your trip and find more information, you can visit the official TfL website (Transport for London) for travel details and attractions, and VisitLondon for ideas on things to do and upcoming events. Additionally, consider downloading apps like Citymapper or the TfL Oyster app to help navigate the city and check transport updates on the go. Enjoy your trip to London with your family!

We are visiting to London with our kids (aged 11 & 14 ) in half term and we are there for five days, what is the best tickets for us to purchase to get around? Whats the best place to be looking for advance attraction tickets with flexibility – happy to pay a little more for flexibility

For your five-day trip to London during half term with your kids aged 11 and 14, the best tickets to purchase for getting around would be Visitor Oyster cards with a 7-day Travelcard loaded on them. This option allows unlimited travel within certain zones and offers flexibility for using various modes of public transportation during your stay. If you’re looking for advance attraction tickets with flexibility, Keetoo is one of the best options to consider. It offers a flexible and convenient way to purchase attraction tickets in advance while providing both savings and flexibility. You can access multiple attractions across London with a single app, which can save you both time and money compared to buying individual tickets for each attraction. Benefits of using Keetoo for attraction tickets: Savings: Keetoo always provides discounted prices compared to buying separate tickets for each attraction [as long as you are looking to visit more than one attraction]. Flexibility: The app allows you to visit attractions on different days, giving you the freedom to plan your itinerary based on your interests and your schedule. Ease of Use: Keetoo’s tickets are stored on your phone, making it convenient to access and use at various attractions without the need for physical tickets. Wide Range of Attractions: Keetoo offers access to a variety of popular attractions, ensuring there’s something for everyone in your family to enjoy. To get the most out of your visit, make sure to check the list of attractions included on the Keetoo website and plan your days accordingly. Enjoy your trip to London with your family and have a fantastic time exploring the city’s attractions!

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London Underground 101: A guide to getting the Tube in London

Editor's Note

If you've never visited London before, navigating its iconic Tube system can be either an adventure or a confused mess of Tube lines, fare types and labyrinthian stations.

You might not have initially thought so, but there's a lot more to it than just getting to a station, hopping on a train and then exiting. Thankfully, TPG has your back, and we created this guide to the London Underground.

Let's dive in.

Related: The 23 best hotels in London

Paying for the Tube and how to save money

First of all, let's make sure the price is right.

There are many ways you can pay to travel around London via the Tube.

You can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available. If you're buying tickets for single journeys, you'll probably spend more than you really need to if you take the Tube more than once.

The most convenient payment method, though, is to use your contactless payment card. Simply touch it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms to pay for your ride.

These card readers also work with prepaid Oyster cards sold at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations and select newsstands and visitor centers throughout London, for 7 British pounds ($8.86) each. If you choose to purchase and pay via an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Regardless of how you pay for your ride, you'll use the same process for confirming your payment. Use your phone (for contactless payments) or debit, credit or Oyster card to tap in and out at the barriers of your start and end stations. Remember that card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing, so make sure you locate one and tap in and out to avoid getting charged for traveling through all nine zones.

To see the full details and decide exactly which payment method is right for you, check out the Transport for London website .

Daily limits

If you use an Oyster card or contactless payment to pay for your Tube journey, there is a cap on how much you can be charged, depending on the zones you travel in or between.

Say, for example, you only travel within Zones 1 and 2. For a full day of travel via the London Underground in those two zones, you'll pay 8.50 pounds (around $10.76).

You can view the prices for other zones on the TfL website .

Child discounts

All children under the age of 11 can travel on the London Underground for free, and children between 11 and 15 receive discounted fares (as outlined below). To ensure that you get a discount, you should talk to a member of the London Underground staff inside the station.

How much does travel on the London Underground cost?

The London Underground operates a peak and off-peak fare system. The amount you're charged depends on which zones you're traveling in or between.

Peak fares are charged Monday to Friday between the hours of 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Off-peak fares are charged at all other times and if you're traveling from a station outside of Zone 1 into Zone 1 between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Journeys on the Tube and the Elizabeth Line to and from Heathrow Airport (LHR) are always considered peak fares if you start, end or go through Zone 1.

Travel cards

Peak and off-peak travel cards are also available in the Tube stations' kiosks. The cost of travel cards varies depending on the zones you travel in. Paying with an Oyster card or via contactless payment is usually cheaper.

An Anytime Day travel card can be used for the entire day that you purchase it until 4:30 a.m. the next day.

An Off-peak Day travel card is valid for an entire weekday from 9:30 a.m. — or any time on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays — until 4:30 a.m. the following day.

How to read the London Tube map

The London Underground map is divided into nine zones. The center of London — along with its most popular tourist attractions and iconic hotels — is in Zone 1. The outer parts of the city are in Zone 9. The zones are serviced by 11 tube lines and a handful of other rail services identified by color.

The London Underground lines are as follows:

• Bakerloo (brown) : From Harrow & Wealdstone in northwest London to Elephant & Castle south of the River Thames
• Central (red) : From West Ruislip in west London to Epping in east London
• Circle (yellow) : From Hammersmith to Edgware Road and then back to Edgware Road in a loop around central London
• District (green) : From Upminster in east London to Richmond in south London
• Hammersmith & City (pink) : From Hammersmith to Barking in east London
• Jubilee (gray) : From Stanmore to Stratford in east London
• Metropolitan (maroon) : From Aldgate to Amersham
• Northern (black) : From Edgware in the northern suburbs to South Wimbledon in southwest London
• Piccadilly (dark blue) : From Cockfosters via Hammersmith to Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; the Piccadilly Line has two branches, which split at Acton Town
• Victoria (light blue) : From Walthamstow Central in north London through central London to Brixton
• Waterloo & City (turquoise) : From Bank to Waterloo Station

Though not technically Tube lines, you'll also find the following rail routes on the Tube map:

• Overground (orange — double stripe) : From Watford Junction in the northwest to Croydon in the south and from Barking in the east of London to Richmond and Wandsworth in the southwest
• Docklands Light Railway (turquoise — double stripe) : From Bank in the City to Lewisham in east London and Bank to Woolwich Arsenal; there are further routes from Tower Gateway to Beckton, Stratford to Lewisham or Canary Wharf, and Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal
• Elizabeth Line (purple — double stripe) : From Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east

Taking the Tube to Heathrow Airport

Depending on where you're traveling from, the Tube or Elizabeth Line will likely be your cheapest and most direct route to Heathrow Airport.

You can learn more about the best ways to reach Heathrow here .

While there's extra space on the Piccadilly Line for suitcases, trains on other lines aren't always as accommodating. Either way, traveling with multiple pieces of luggage at peak times can make for a stressful and awkward journey for you and those around you.

It's not always possible to get to Heathrow without getting on the Tube during peak times. If possible, try to leave earlier to avoid rush hour and have a far more comfortable journey.

How to plan your trip

TfL provides a range of free Tube maps that are available in most Tube stations and some small shops to help you plan your journey.

You can also use TfL's journey planner . Add in your start and end destinations, and the site will work out the nearest Tube stations and what changes you may need to take. The site will also suggest bus routes if they're faster, and it'll advise on journey times.

You can filter its suggestions to only include buses if you wish to avoid the Tube; you can also filter for routes that are accessible, routes near taxi ranks or routes that have the fewest changes or least amount of walking.

In terms of apps, many Londoners tend to use Citymapper ( iOS / Android ) or Google Maps ( iOS / Android ), both of which will provide you with up-to-date Tube suggestions, walking routes and bus options.

How early does the Tube run?

The London Underground's opening times can differ depending on the line you want to take and where you're starting your trip. Generally, though, Tube trains begin operation around 5 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, with slightly reduced operating hours on Sundays.

How late does the Night Tube run?

On Friday and Saturday nights, you can ride the Night Tube when the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines run for 24 hours. Additionally, the London Overground operates a 24-hour service on these days between New Cross Gate and Highbury & Islington.

The Night Tube is charged at off-peak rates.

The quickest route might not be the obvious one

If you're not used to London, you might think you need to take the Tube to get anywhere. The Tube is your best bet for longer journeys in and out of the city. However, shorter journeys in central London will likely be quicker on foot.

When planning your journeys, the TfL website has a handy box to help you determine which routes are quicker to walk.

By walking shorter routes, you'll not only save time but will also breathe in less thick, soupy air. The views are guaranteed to be an improvement, too.

Travel etiquette on the London Underground

Polite behavior when traveling on the London Underground can pretty much be simplified into three main rules.

Escalator etiquette

Perhaps the most important rule of Tube stations is to stand on the right on the escalators. This allows those in a rush to glide down the escalators in a flash to avoid waiting an extra minute for the next train.

Mindful Tubing

Everyone getting the Tube has somewhere to be and is likely in a rush. Letting all passengers get off your carriage before boarding will enable a smoother, quicker and more pleasant journey for everyone.

Additionally, don't hog seats if someone in need, such as elderly people, pregnant women or people with disabilities, would benefit more than you by sitting down. Checking if someone needs your seat will go a long way in making someone's journey, if not their entire day, better.

As for rides during busy commuting hours, remember that squishing as tightly as possible into the area closest to the doors doesn't benefit anyone. Move down the train. It makes for a more comfortable, less sweaty journey for everyone.

In general, queueing is somewhat of a national sport for Brits. We do it anywhere and everywhere, and anyone who fails to queue correctly will receive passive-aggressive eye rolls and tuts from all who witness it.

This also applies to the Tube, whether you're waiting to get through the barriers, waiting to get on or waiting for the stairs, escalators or elevators to leave the station. Save yourself the glares and cranky tuts of fellow passengers by falling into line.

Bottom line

Love it or hate it, London would come to a standstill without the Tube. Whether it's your first time in the capital or you're a seasoned Londoner, the above tips will serve you well. Remember, above all else, to stand to the right.

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Related Articles

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I’m travelling with a group; is there a discount?

Adding a London Travelcard to a daily ticket

Tickets FAQs

At what age do my children need to be before i have to purchase a travelcard for them to travel in london.

Children under 11 years of age can travel free during off-peak hours within the London Travelcard area (Monday to Fridays after 09:30 or anytime Saturday, Sunday and during public holidays) – but only if they are accompanying an adult who is making the journey with an Oyster card. If you have a paper ticket, you will need to purchase a child ticket for this journey.

Each Adult Travelcard holder who is using Oyster can take up to four children under 11 for free – and up to four 11 to 15-year-olds for a £1 flat fare All Zones Off-Peak Day Travelcard. No photocards are required by any accompanied children.

If you are travelling using a paper ticket, you will need to purchase a children’s ticket. You may find that our Family Travelcard option offers you the best value.

Note that there can be multiple Railcards selected, and a number value (Number of Passengers with Selected Railcard) must be sent for each one selected. The way it works is all selected "Railcards" are sent as a comma-delimited list in the rc field, and all the "Number of Passengers with Selected Railcard" are sent as a comma-delimited list in the rcc field which matches the order of the Railcards in the rc field. So if there are two "16-25 Railcards" and one "HM Forces Railcard" it will be sent as:

Also note that WebTIS doesn't handle Railcards very well, so this might not work well anyway. :(

Hainault sword attack: Man charged with murder after boy, 14, killed and four injured

Daniel Anjorin was on his way to school when he was killed in a sword rampage in northeast London. Four others, including two police officers, were left needing medical treatment.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 21:23, UK

A man has been charged with murder after 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin was killed and four people were injured near a London Tube station.

Two Metropolitan Police officers were among those hurt as they responded to reports of an attacker with a sword in Hainault, northeast London, on Tuesday.

The man charged has been named as Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a 36-year-old dual Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, east London.

He has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.

Monzo will appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The families of all those affected by the incident have been informed.

Daniel Anjorin was a pupil at Bancroft's private school in Woodford Green - also attended by Nottingham attack victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar .

Staff and pupils at the school said they were in "profound shock and sorrow" at his death.

Daniel's family told Sky News he was "a wonderful child" who was "well loved" and "hard working" - and that his death "leaves a gaping wound in the family".

"No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today," they said. "Any family will understand it's an absolute tragedy."

Monzo is accused of crashing a van into a fence just before 7am, and attacking two members of the public with a sword.

It is alleged he then killed the 14-year-old and seriously injured two police officers as they tried to stop him - one of whom nearly lost her hand.

The suspect was initially taken to hospital after suffering injuries in the van crash.

Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: "Our thoughts remain firmly with the family of Daniel and all those who have been impacted by this horrific incident."

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"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that they have a right to a fair trial," she continued.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Related Topics

• Hainault attack
• Metropolitan Police