Tube payments - dc is 12. What's the best option?

[SecondUsername4me]

Dc is 12 and we are going to London for 3 days. I've googled Youth Oyster cards and they just seem such a faff for 3 days.

£15 admin fee, you have to supply photos/ID/take ID with you to collect them in person. And they save you half on the cap on tubes.

Is it ridiculous to just load my own Monzo up with some money and give her that to tap in and out with? Sure, it's more expensive (is it £8 a day cap? So over 3 days I'd "spend" £12 more than I would with a youth oyster) but it cuts all the faff and balanced against the admin fee, seems a no brainer.

Yes for 3 days I'd just give her your debit card.
Zone 1/2 (central London) is around £8 a day price cap.

If it's only a few days I would just give them an ordinary debit or credit card to use. They should still be able to use the buses for free at 12 without an young person card.

Fab thanks - it did seem ridiculous to have to faff on ordering her a youth card for a matter of days

@SecondUsername4me at 12 she will have to pay for the bus but it just comes under the daily cap so won't cost you any more.

Just did the youth oyster (11 and under version) for DS

It wasn't that much of a faff and it's more than covered the admin fee already. He's 6 though so no way was I giving him my debit card etc

Visitor Oyster card - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) You can use an oystercard and ask the staff at the tube station to add the young person discount to it - it will give your child half price fares for up to 2 weeks

And it came in the post. No collection required

I always go this but tbh if you are only there for 3 days and unlikely to be going back even semi regularly then it's probably not worth buying the oyster anyway.

You don't need a card for a 6 year old jyts wlaj them through the wide gate

Get an actual oyster and get it validated for a young visitor. Big big saving - worth the minor hassle.

@Harrysmummy246 unless you were going on actual trains within the London zones (Southern, Southeastern, South West Trains etc) a 6 year old doesn't need a card. You only need the 5 -10 Zip card for trains.
You don't need it for tube/bus/DLR etc.

Aren't they free at that age anyways? We have a 9yo as well as the 12yo and he will just walk through the barrier with us

Get a standard Oyster.
Get Young Visitor Discount at tube station ticket office.

You can do all this at the tube. You don’t have to get the zip photo card etc.

See Young Visitor Discount on this page .
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/11-15-zip-oyster-photocard#:~:text=Young%20Visitor%20discount,-If%20you%20don&text=The%20discount%20can%20be%20added,Some%20Elizabeth%20line%20stations

Free for the 9 yo, you are fare dodging with the 12 yo.

THIS

9YO is free on bus, tube and DLR. The under 11 zip is for free travel on the mainline trains within London that aren’t TFL. 6YO DD gets a lot of use out of hers because Clapham Junction is our nearest station which isn’t on the tube but as a tourist and if you’re staying in zone 1 then I can’t imagine you’ll come up against this issue. Also if DC is travelling solo, which might apply to a few London based 10YOs but again not something which affects you.

No - I will be bringing the 9yo through the gate with me. 12yo will have a method of payment and will pay.

My wording was supposed to make it clear I have two children- the 12yo I am talking about, and in addition, a 9yo.

@SecondUsername4me yes 9 year old is free if you are just using tube, bus or DLR.

@SecondUsername4me quick warning.....sometimes on the tube the staff see you with a child and automatically open the big gate for you.
Make sure you still beep your card because otherwise you won't be charged correctly.

WRONG.
Under 5 yes, 6- 10 has a free card, which exists for a reason

@Harrysmummy246 sorry but as someone who has used London public transport almost daily for the 15 years of my daughters life - you DON'T need a 5-10 Zip Card for buses/tube/DLR.
Only for trains that are "national rail" within the London zones (ie Southern Trains/Southeastern Trains etc).
Overground I think you need one too.
Edit: I believe if an under 11 is travelling without an adult they need one - just so they can get through the gates but except for a few 10 year olds going to school independently it's rare for under 11s to not have an adult with them. I assume your 6 year old won't be travelling alone.

@Harrysmummy246

WRONG.
Under 5 yes, 6- 10 has a free card, which exists for a reason

Goodness what is wrong with you? No need for shouting and having attitude.

You absolutely can walk through the gate with a 6 year old, hundreds of people do it daily.

@Harrysmummy246 I just double checked on line.
It's free when accompanied by an adult
OR
free with a 5-10 Zip card.
They don't need the card if with an adult.