Bus and tube travel London help please

[Ilovechocolatetoomuch]

Hi

We don’t live in London although we used to and everything has changed since last time we visited pre covid.

We have an 8 year old ds and a 3 year old ds. Do they need to pay to use the bus and the tube? If not how to we take them through the gates?

I’ve applied for an oyster zip card from my older child but I’ve stupidly left it too late as we are visiting this Friday.

Any help and advice how to navigate central London bus and tube network without paying and arm and a leg appreciated.

You don’t need to pay. You just go through one of the larger gates and they walk through with you.

Under 11s are free on buses and tubes. And yes, use the wide barrier so you can get through with the kids.

It’s not changed at all since Covid, you didn’t need to pay before and you don’t now, you go through the larger gates, I take 4 kids (one in a pram) through them as they stay open longer

It's free! And for over 60s if resident in London

^what everyone said. Honestly don't stress, the transport is very easy to navigate. You can just jump straight on buses with the kids as long as adults touch in, and where there are gates at train/tube stations you can go through the large gate which opens for longer, or staff will help you.