Tube travel with teens

[Donatella]

I've tried to navigate TfL's website but they have so many different FAQ sections and ticket types that I feel like I am going round in circles. I am planning to visit London a couple of times during half term, it's the first time since my eldest was old enough that I'll have to pay for her on the tube. I usually use contacless for myself as I think I'm right in saying that it's the cheapest way to do it?? But looking at it, if I get her an Oyster card she will get half price fares, is that all fares or just travel cards? I'm trying to work out if paying £5 for the Oyster card will actually save us any money, we probably only go in to London once a year or so, so not sure if it is worth it or if she should just use her contact less card to pay full price?

How old is she and where are you planning on travelling?

As an adult your contact less gives you the same price as oyster card. So just use contact less.

This site here is super clear for teens

www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/do-kids-need-an-oyster-card

Get the zip card for discounted travel.

@Rillington

How old is she and where are you planning on travelling?

13, we will be doing a couple of days out during half term (weekdays), all zone 1, probably 3-4 journeys max each day.

Get the Oyster card and go to a ticket office window with your teen and have them apply the young visitor discount. It’s valid for 2 weeks. You save 50% on all tube/bus fares so definitely worth it. At the end of half term, if you don’t want to keep the Oyster card for future use, then you can return the oyster and get the £5 deposit back. Don’t do the zip card unless you’re going to be visiting regularly as there’s an admin fee for the application.

@cyclingmad

As an adult your contact less gives you the same price as oyster card. So just use contact less.

This site here is super clear for teens

www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/do-kids-need-an-oyster-card

Get the zip card for discounted travel.

That's the same info as on the TfL site, that we can get half price tickets by getting either a zip card or oyster card, but as both cost money upfront (£15 for the zip or £5 for the Oyster), I'm not sure if it will be worth it.

tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard?intcmp=55575#on-this-page-5
Scroll down to the Young Visitor Discount section.

tfl.gov.uk/fares/refunds-and-replacements
This explains the process for getting a refund for any unused credit plus the card deposit.

@LakeShoreD

Get the Oyster card and go to a ticket office window with your teen and have them apply the young visitor discount. It’s valid for 2 weeks. You save 50% on all tube/bus fares so definitely worth it. At the end of half term, if you don’t want to keep the Oyster card for future use, then you can return the oyster and get the £5 deposit back. Don’t do the zip card unless you’re going to be visiting regularly as there’s an admin fee for the application.

Ah, thanks, that's the crucial but of info I needed, being able to get the £5 refunded! Thanks, I'll do that then

Yes as @LakeShoreD has posted. It can sometimes take a while to queue up to get the discount applied. We waited 20 minutes at Euston as there was only one staff member working on the machines. I'd just put £40 on an Oyster. You get back what you don't use plus the £5 deposit.