2 very basic questions about kids on the tube

[ejecoms]

I'm taking my children (12 and 8) to London for the first time and I have a few questions which I can't find the answer for:

• DD8 doesn't have to pay. How do I get her through the turnstiles? Do we have do go through the gates?
• DS12 doesn't have a photocard. Does he need to pay? Again, how do I get him through?

Thank you!

If your child is 11-15 years old, you can ask a member of staff to set a Young Visitor discountt_ on an Oyster or Visitor Oyster card. This allows them to get 50% off adult-rate pay as you go fares, for up to 14 days.

You have to go to the manned gate with your under 11, make sure you have id for both of them especially if they look older than they are

For DD8 you'll need to bundle her through with you at the gates unless the station is manned and they can open the turnstile for you (but staff are usually at the gates anyway). I think you'll need a young visitor oyster card for the 12 year old - are you arriving at a mainline station?

Just go through the wide gate with your 8yo.

With your 12yo, you can get a Young Visitor discount as PP says. However, the Oyster card costs £5 so if you are only getting one or two tubes it might be cheaper just to pay adult fare on a contactless card.

Thank you! I think we'll get a young visitor card then for DS12 - we are arriving at Liverpool Street.

I won't look like such a noob now!

There’s a wider gate for parents and children

You don't need any "manned" gate whatsoever - just go to the wide gate with your DD

If you are travelling to London by train are your tickets the One Day Travel Card tickets? Because they include payment for tube (plus bus/tram/DLR etc). It's all one ticket for wherever you are starting from to London, travel all over London and then home again.

You could also get an 11-15 Zip Oyster card which would be posted to you beforehand. Details on TfL website - not sure if fares work out cheaper or not compared to the Young Visitor card.

I have Zip cards for my 6 and 8 yera olds as we go regularly Nd they like going through the gates themselves.

Yes, go to the wide gates. Sometimes they're manned, sometimes not, but they're for people with buggies, luggage, children etc.
Just tap your debit card/Oyster or use your travel card through as normal.

Liverpool St has a visitor centre where you can get your Oysters. They are v helpful and will explain anything you are unsure about.

You can also buy a normal Oyster card for the older child and then find a member of staff who will apply a discount for you.

Rode a day a child travel card is £7 ish