Children aged 5-10 get free travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard.
Benefits
- Free travel on Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading)
- Free travel on most National Rail services that accept pay as you go (see map below)
- 50% off adult rate tickets on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus services
- Pay as you go at a child rate on the IFS Cloud Cable Car
Who is it for?
Children aged 5-10 can use a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard.
When you don't need a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard
Up to four children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Your child doesn't need a photocard to:
- Travel free on buses and trams (unless they look older than 10)
- Buy child-rate paper tickets (unless they look older than 10)
- Travel accompanied by an adult on these National Rail services:
How to apply
A parent or guardian must apply online for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard.
When you apply, you agree that Zip Oyster photocard holders will comply with our Young Person's Behaviour Code. If they don't, we can withdraw their photocard.
I live in a London borough
To apply for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, create or sign in to your photocard web account. (You must use a different email address from any contactless and Oyster account for a standard adult Oyster card.)
You will also need:
- A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of your child which is a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB
- Details from your child's valid, machine-readable passport to verify their age and identity. All machine-readable passports are accepted, including non-UK passports
- A colour image of the details page from your child's valid, machine-readable passport that is in .png or .jpg format and less than 6MB. This must clearly show the child's photo, name, date of birth and passport number
- A debit or credit card to pay the £10 administration fee
We'll email you if we have to reject your photo or passport image. You will need to upload another to finish your application for your Zip Oyster photocard.
If your child doesn't have a valid, machine-readable passport, start your application online and you'll be prompted to download and print a letter to take to the Post Office to complete it.
At the Post Office you'll need:
- Proof of your child's age and identity, such as a birth certificate
- Proof of your address, such as a residential utility bill or bank statement dated with the last three months
- A debit or credit card or cash to pay the £10 administration fee
Once your photo, passport image and/or your Post Office letter have been accepted, your 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard will usually arrive within two weeks.
I live outside London (or outside the UK)
To apply for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, create or sign in to your photocard web account. (You must use a different email address from any contactless and Oyster account for a standard adult Oyster card.)
You will also need:
- A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of your child which is a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB
- Details from your child's valid, machine-readable passport to verify their age and identity. All machine-readable passports are accepted, including non-UK passports
- A colour image of the details page from your child's valid, machine-readable passport that is in .png or .jpg format and less than 6MB. This must clearly show the child's photo, name, date of birth and passport number
- A debit or credit card to pay the £10 administration fee
We'll email you if we have to reject your photo or passport image. You will need to upload another to finish your application for your Zip Oyster photocard.
If your child does not have a valid machine-readable passport, you can collect your photocard from a TfL Visitor Centre.
- Apply at least 28 days before your preferred collection date and select a Visitor Centre that is open. Visitor Centre locations and opening times are shown in the application, or call Customer Services 0343 222 1234 (call charges may apply) for advice
- When collecting your card at a Visitor Centre, you'll need to provide proof of your child's age. This should be either your child's passport, ID card from a European Economic Area country or birth certificate. No other documents are accepted
Once your photo and passport image have been accepted, your 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard will usually arrive within two weeks.
How to use
Once you get your 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, you can use it straight away.
Make sure you touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. You only need to touch in on buses and trams. Find out more about touching in and out.
Use your photocard web account to manage your card or report a lost card.
Expiry
5-10 Zip Oyster photocards expire the day before a child's 11th birthday.
You can then apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.
Travelling with a discounted Day Travelcard
Children aged 5-15 can get a discounted Off-Peak Zones 1-6 or 1-9 Day Travelcard, when accompanied by an adult buying a discounted Off-Peak Zones 1-6 or 1-9 Day Travelcard at a ticket machine, using a valid:
When travelling, you must accompany children whilst using your discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcard.
To buy a discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcard at London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail Station ticket office or Visitor Centre, you must show your Railcard or Annual Gold Card to staff.
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