Child and student discounts

Zip Oyster logo Free and discounted travel is available for under-18s. An Oyster photocard may be required and these are now available free.

Discounted travel is also available to students over 18.

Zip: Oyster photocard for under-18s

Zip is the new name for Oyster photocards for young people that allows them to travel free or at a discounted rate.

All under-16s can travel free on buses and trams and at a child-rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services, if they have an Oyster photocard.

Under-5s

Children under five can travel free at any time on buses, Tube, trams, DLR, and London Overground services as long as they are accompanied by someone who has a valid ticket, is using Oyster to pay as they go or has a Freedom Pass.

5 to 10-year-olds

Children aged 5 to 10 years can travel free at any time on buses, Tube, trams, DLR and London Overground services at any time.

On buses and trams:

Unaccompanied 5 to 10-year-olds can travel free at any time. They do not need a ticket or photocard to do so

On Tube, DLR and London Overground services:

A maximum of four 5 to 10-year-olds can travel free when accompanied by an adult who has a valid ticket, is using Oyster to pay as they go or has a Freedom Pass
If they are travelling unaccompanied, 5 to 10-year-olds will need a 5-10 Oyster photocard to travel free at any time.

Find out more about 5-10 Oyster photocard.

11 to 15-year-olds

Children aged 11 to 15 years can get an 11-15 Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams and at child-rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services.

Find out more about the 11-15 Oyster photocard.

16+

All 16 to 17-year-olds can travel at child-rate on bus, Tube, tram, DLR and London Overground services with a 16+ Oyster photocard.

Those 16 to 18-year-olds who live in a London borough and are still in quallifying full-time education can also apply to get free travel on buses and trams.

Find out more about the 16+ Oyster photocard.

Behaviour Code

Failure to follow TfL's Behaviour Code or if you commit a crime on London's public transport network or premises will result in one of the following:

If you are using a 16+ Oyster photocard on one of our services, your Oyster photocard and your travel concession may be withdrawn
If you are using an 11-15, 14-15, Under-14 or Child Oyster photocard on one of our services, your free travel concession may be withdrawn

This code is to ensure everyone travels safely with due respect for fellow passenger, staff and property.

The Behaviour Code states that:

When on London's public transport network or premises, you should always act sensibly and treat others as you would like to be treated

Your travel concession and Oyster photocard may be withdrawn if we believe that you have behaved in an antisocial way.

Antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

Putting your safety or the safety of others at risk
Use of offensive or threatening language
Behaving offensively, bullying or threatening others
Smoking
Playing music out loud
Damaging or defacing an Oyster photocard
Letting anyone else use your Oyster photocard
Committing any crime on, or in connection with, London's public transport network, in particular, but not limited to:
- Physical or verbal assault
- Unlawfully carrying a weapon
- Criminal damage or trespass on London's public transport network or premises
- Theft, robbery or burglary
- Misusing controlled drugs
Breaching:
- London Regional Transport Railways, DLR, Tramlink or National Railways Byelaws
- Any provision of regulation 6 or 7 of the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990
- Transport for London's Conditions of Carriage