tell me about children on the underground

[superbagpuss]

my DC are turning 5 soon and so I believe we will have to start paying for them on the underground

dh and I have oyster cards, I believe you can get DC oyster cards but have to pay for them - how much are they? are they difficult to get?

we currently take DC into London 6 times a year approx - will it be worth it?

thanks .

Children are free on the underground under 11. DS is 9 and regularly uses it with me. He is a tall lad and we have never been questioned, you have a few years of free travel left! But be aware that it is only the underground. You do have to pay for the trains after 5, we have got caught out with this before.

I don't think you will have to pay for them to use the underground. Looking at the tfl website shows that a 5-10 zip card (child oyster) is available but only needed if your child looks over 10 or is travelling without an adult

We live in London and have never had to pay for DSS (7) to travel on the tube, and DSD now has a zip card after turning 11

I think underground is free until they're 10 if they are travelling with a paying adult? You can get them an Oyster card so they can go through the automatic gate but think you just pay for a deposit for it.

nope...under 11s are free with a paying ticket holder.

X posts

They are free on the underground and buses, but you have to pay for them on overground.

woohoo

that's the best news .

We use a zip card. Its for kids 5-10 and is a photocard - it costs £10 (u register online then need to pay at the post office) and is easy when you are travelling as the child can scan their own card at the barriers, rather than you having to find a wide barrier or ticket inspector to let you through.

Is it only free if you have a zip card though?

No, it's free in general if accompanied. The zipcard just lets them travel without an accompanying adult and also proves that they are under 11 if there's any dispute.

It also get them through the barriers quicker! If they try to slip through a normal one with you on your card you always get stuck.

Oh, ok. I'm sure we paid for ds last time we visited London! Will be ordering a zip card for next time! Thanks!

We've never used a zip card for DS, but might look into getting one as he looks over 11, even though he's only 9.5!

Its worth it. We commute for school and it does make getting through barriers a lot swifter at rush hour. Plus they kids love the sense of responsibility in having their own travelcard!