Travelling with 9-year-old in London. Does she need a ticket?

[brandnewnickname]

Am due to head for London this half-term for a short break. Looking at the information on the TfL website, as far as I can see my 9-year-old daughter travels free on both buses and Tube provided she is with me. I am planning to get an Oystercard for myself. Have I got this right about the free travel?? Where we live the kids haven't travelled free on public transport since they were 4, so I keep wondering whether I am missing something/ have misunderstood. Can my daughter travel without any form of ticket or pass at all provided she is with me?

She can travel free but if she looks over 10 and you want to use the tube you are advised to buy an Oyster photocard. link

Yes.

11 year olds do need tickets though so if she looks older it might be worth taking proof of age.

She can travel free on tubes and buses but not on trains within the zones, not sure on DLR but I think you have to pay for that.

Thanks all. What do people do about getting their children through the barriers at tube stations? Is there always a member of staff there who can see that the child is under 11 and let her through?

Nowadays most tube stations have a double gate that you can walk through together. If not there will be a member of staff around, though you might need to wave or call to get their attention.

Or just get her to crawl through the suitcase flap

Thank you.

(Thank you was to Empress. I don't think my daughter would take kindly to being asked to crawl through the suitcase flap )

Thats what my kids do at the unmanned stations!

DD's done it in the past too!

We just walked thru the barriers with small DC immediately in front of us. Only problems were when DC hesitated so we hesitated then they rocketed off & we didn't make it with them after all.

Then you just sheepishly flag down staff & show them your ticket to get thru after all.

You shouldn't have trouble coordinating movement thru barriers with a 9yo.