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.
Index
• 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.
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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.
hello,
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!