Under 16 free bus travel
New 'Zip' branding clarifies free travel arrangements for under 18s and links them to a common behaviour code
Please carefully read the relevant Transport for London (TfL) webpage or leaflet, linked below, to ensure that you are fully aware of arrangements for concessionary travel for children.
Summary
- Under 5s can travel for free on the buses, the Tube, trams, DLR and London Overground at any time if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket or who has made the appropriate payment using an Oyster card.
- Under 11s can travel for free at any time on buses and trams without any sort of ticket, and, when accompanied by a paying adult, can travel for free on the Tube, DLR and London Overground as well. One paying adult can accompany up to four children aged 5-10 and allow them to travel for free However, children aged 5-10 must have an under-11s Oyster photocard to get unaccompanied free travel on the Tube, DLR and London Overground.
- 11-15s will all now need an 11-15 Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams at any time. This will also allow 11-15s to pay as they go or buy Travelcards at child rate with Oyster on the Tube, DLR and London Overground, and get £1 capped Pay As You Go travel for the whole day.
- 16-18s need a 16+ Oyster photocard to get half price fares on all modes, plus free bus and tram travel if in full-time education.
- 18+ student Oyster photocards, giving 30% off Travelcards and bus passes, can be obtained by students who attend schools, colleges and universities listed on the TfL website (linked below).
- Application forms can be obtained at Post Offices, requested online from TfL or obtained by calling 0845 330 9876. There is no longer a fee for 11-15 photocards, but other types of photocard still require a £5 fee.
- Oyster photocard holders under the age of 18 have to sign up to a Behaviour Code. Breaches of this can result in a person having their travel privileges withdrawn. A copy of the code is in the leaflet and webpage linked below.