London travel help please

[Littlebluebird123]

I'm going to visit London next week with two teenagers - 13 and 15.
We'll be going from Charing to South Kensington and then returning same day.
I can't figure out how to pay for the travel as if it was just me I'd tap and go but how do I do that for the teens?
Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Might be cheaper just to get return family tickets tbh

They'll go free on buses though you might need some ID for that, I'm not sure

If you're taking the train from Charing into London I think a family railcard and return ticket may work out cheapest- tubes just get added on to your ticket if it's the most straightforward route to the destination

You can also get plus pass (think that's its name) tickets - a rail ticket between two main stations with follow on bus pass added to the ticket for the day usually for a few £

You can buy child day travelcards and get them posted to you but at 7.60 each and then postage, they are expensive. As PP have said, you can get child discount added to oyster cards but you need proof of age. Or just let them tap in and out on two other bank cards if you have them. Or walk it?

It's a long walk though

If the kids don’t come to London much I’d get the bus (number 9 from Charing Cross)
It takes a little bit longer than the tube but they get to see stuff on the way

I'd use the Trainline app to plan out your journey. I found that for me that going as a family group the cost of a off peak return ticket to where I live out of London zones cost the same as a off peak return ticket that also could be used as a travel card that could be used inside London. Also the kids only cost £2 for the entire day (not sure how much teenagers would cost)

You can order in advance and collect from a local station ticket machine via a code.

Train line is a good shout - I think they offer the split ticket option

It may make no difference on a journey from Kent to central London but if it is available you can get considerable discounts by buying split tickets