How to Pay For Kids on the Tube (2026): A Local’s Guide

Wondering how to pay for kids on the tube when exploring London? Here’s your ultimate guide to taking public transit with kids in the capital — from a Londoner!

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Wondering how the Tube works when you’ve got little ones in tow? You’re not alone!

London’s transport system might seem like a breeze for grown-ups, but when it comes to travelling with kids, the rules (and fares) aren’t always crystal clear.

But don’t worry — I’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re here for a quick afternoon adventure or tackling a full day of sightseeing, here’s exactly how to pay for kids on the Tube — straight from a London travel blogger.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

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How to Pay For Kids on the Tube Depending on Age

Paying for kids on the tube is really straightforward, but it’ll depend on your child’s age.

Children Under 5

Now here’s a bit of good news, parents with the tiniest of tots! If your kids are under the age of 5, they go free on the Underground as long as they’re with a fare-paying adult (which I’m hoping they’ll be!).

So just stroll right through the wider ticket barrier with your little one and you’re set, no Oyster card necessary.

FYI, this also applies to other transports, including buses, the Overground, DLR, Uber Boats and even the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Children Aged 5-10

We’ve also got some good news for those with not-so-small-anymore little ones. Up to four children under 11 can travel free as long as they’re with you. However, if they look older, it’s a good idea to have their passport handy to confirm their age.

You can also get them a Zip Oyster photocard, which I highly recommend if you live in London or frequent the city a lot.

Children Aged 11-15

While kids these ages do have to pay for transport, they still get 50% off all their tube fares with either a Zip Oyster photocard or a Young Visitor discount.

For the first one, a parent or guardian should apply. Once you get it, you can use it straight away and get 50% off Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car, Uber Boat and most National Rail services. But buses and trams are free!

Don’t forget it’ll expire on 30 September in the year after your child’s 16th birthday.

The same applies for the second one (except the free buses and trams, which will be 50% off like the others), although it’s better for those visiting London, not living there.

You can add the Young Visitor discount to any Oyster card with the help of a member of the staff at any Tube or Overground station and Visitor Centres. The children must be with you when you ask for it and it’ll expire 14 days later.

Both cards can be topped up at stations with whatever credit you’d like (starting at £5) to start travelling.

16 and 17-Year-Olds

Finally, if you’ve got teenagers from 16 to 17-years-old, they’re eligible for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.

Similar to the younger group, there’s a fee for the card, but it grants your wise-beyond-their-years kids half the adult rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services.

And if you live in London, it’s absolutely free on buses and trams.

Again, a parent or guardian must apply and it can be used as soon as you get it. It’ll expire on 30 September in the year after your teen’s 18th birthday.

However, if you’re just visiting London, I’m afraid to say there are no more discounts for the older ones.

They’ll pay like a normal adult, with either a contactless card, Apple Pay/Google Pay or, if they don’t have any, an Oyster card. You can order it before your visit to London or get one quite easily at any station or Visitor Centre.

P.S. – Taking a train with your kids somewhere in the UK? Use Trainline!

Travelling with a Discounted Day Travelcard

You might have heard of a Travelcard, which gives you unlimited travel at any time on bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in the London zones selected.

There are options for 7 Days (where you pay just for the price of five days), Monthly (which would save you 11% compared to buying four 7 Day) and Annual (where you pay for the price of 10 and a half months).

Well, children get a special discount for them as well.

If they’re aged 5-15, they get a discounted Off-Peak Zones 1-6 or 1-9 Day Travelcard. But you also need to be there when buying it!

Rules of Travel for Under 18

TfL has a Young Person’s Behaviour Code that all children need to comply when using the tube and travelling with a Zip Oyster photocard. But don’t worry, it just exists to ensure all travel safely and show respect for others!

Here are some of the rules of travel for under 18:

• Act safely
• Cooperate with staff and treat them and others with respect
• Never use offensive language
• Use headphones for music or videos
• Pick up all belongings
• Keep feet off the seats
• Give up seats for other priority users
• Look after the Oyster and never share with others
• Never smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol
• Never commit any crime

If any of these rules are broken, TfL will withdraw the concession. And it can only be earned back by volunteering in a local community, unless it was withdrawn because of criminal behaviour.

Other Tips for Travelling with Kids

Now that we’ve squared away the payment side of things, let’s dive into a few extra pearls of wisdom—tips and tricks if you will—that’ll make navigating the Tube with your children just a little bit easier.

Use the Wider Ticket Barrier

Every station has narrow ticket barriers. But at the end of the row, you’ll see at least one (maybe two) wide barriers designed for people with suitcases, kids, dogs and larger items. Make sure you use them! Otherwise you take the risk of getting accidentally trapped on the way through.

Avoid Rush Hours

The London Tube might be complicated on its own if it’s the first time you use it, so I recommend avoiding rush hours like the plague!

Between 7:30-9:30 in the morning and 5-7 in the evening on weekdays, the stations are busy, busy, busy. If possible, time your travel to the less busy parts of the day. It’ll make life a whole lot easier, believe me.

Move Wisely If You’re Using a Pram

While London’s done a decent job in making many stations accessible, not every station is pram-friendly.

To avoid being stuck at a station with no lift, check out the handy TfL Step-Free Tube Guide which details the stations with step-free access. Or you can also identify them with the symbol of a wheelchair in either a blue or white circle.

The blue stands for fully accessible, meaning you can go from street-level onto the underground carriage without any steps at all. While the white means there are no steps from street-level to platform, but there is some unevenness on the platform (tricky for wheelchairs, but usually fine for your pram).

Knowing this is a bit of a life-saver, isn’t it?

Keep an Eye Open

It may seem obvious, but with bustling platforms and crowded carriages, looking after your kids in the Tube is a task.

Make sure your kids know to stand behind the yellow line at the platform edge (yep, those health and safety videos are worth a watch) and keep them close when hopping on and off the Tube.

Read more: 5 Etiquette Tips for Taking the Tube (from a local)

How to Pay For Kids on the Tube FAQs

➡️ Do you pay for children on the tube?

Children under 11 travel free on the Tube when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, while those aged 11-15 can have 50% off normal fares.

➡️ Do kids need an Oyster card?

Kids aged 11-15 do need a Zip Oyster photocard or a normal Oyster card with a Young Visitor discount to access child fares. But children under 11 don’t require one as they can travel for free when with a fare-paying adult.

➡️ How much is a child fare on the tube?

A child fare on the Tube can vary depending on the distance travelled, but generally with a Zip Oyster photocard, it’s half the adult rate.

➡️ How do you pay for a tube ride?

You pay for a tube ride either by using an Oyster card, a contactless payment card or a mobile device with Apple Pay/Google Pay.

➡️ How to pay for tube without Oyster card?

To pay for the Tube without an Oyster card, you can use a contactless payment card or your mobile device with either Apple or Google Pay.

Thanks for reading my How to Pay For Kids on the Tube Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!

CHECK OUT MORE LONDON WITH KIDS GUIDES:

• 99 Fun Things To Do in London With Kids
• The Best Harry Potter Tours in London
• 7 Best London Tours for Families — from a London Travel Blogger
• The Best Afternoon Tea for Kids in London: A Fun Guide
• The Best London Hotels for Families: A Fun Stay in the City
• Best London Hotels with Adjoining Rooms

Happy Londoning,