Tube with kids - visitor

[GrandPrismatic]

Hello. Planning a trip to London with son who is 6. We will be there 5 days. I know kids travel free but how does that work in reality when you are going through the turnstiles? Do you just shuffle them through with you? Do I need to get him his own child’s Oyster card? I’ve been to London a million times but never been with kids before and have never even thought about the practicalities 😁
Also..assuming I can just use my debit card to pay as you go (for myself) and no need to get oyster….or is it significantly cheaper to get an Oyster card? Thanks for any tips!

Just take the DC through the big gates with you, using your card, if they’re 10 or under.

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

Sorry, meant to give you the official TfL link

tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/5-10-zip-oyster-photocard?intcmp=55572

Brilliant…thank very much!

Check out the buses too, often a bus ride is much easier than the tube because it doesn't involve long walks through underground stations that you would encounter on some routes/connections.

Oyster and contactless are the same price, I think TFL want everyone moved across to contactless so wouldn't make sense to charge more. They also cap it at the price of a travel card. I've started using my phone of late too (it's not a fancy one but relatively new).

Have fun!

Get the Citymapper app. Better route suggestions than Google maps IMO

How is your kid with escalators? My 5 year old sort of 'forgets' how to do them if she hasn't been on one in a while. We do a quick chat before when I can see one coming up ahead and then it's fine.

@ThreeFeetTall

Get the Citymapper app. Better route suggestions than Google maps IMO

How is your kid with escalators? My 5 year old sort of 'forgets' how to do them if she hasn't been on one in a while. We do a quick chat before when I can see one coming up ahead and then it's fine.

Good reminder re escalators! They tend to panic over getting on and then daydream while on it and forget to step off at the other end! It will be good practice for them!

Just make sure you always use the wide gate!