Free Bus Fares for Under 16s

If you are under 16 in London you can get free travel on buses and trams. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to travel free at any time on buses and trams, and across the entire London bus network, including sections outside Greater London.

Zip is the new name for Oyster photocards for young people, and from 1 June 2008 all 11-15 year olds will need a valid Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams. If you already have one, you don't need to replace it, just use it until the expiry date.

Details of how to apply

All 11-15 year-olds must have a valid Child, 14-15 or 11-15 Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams and some child-rate travel on the Tube, DLR and London Overground.

You can apply for the 11-15 Oyster photocard as long as you were under 16 on 31 August prior to the start of the academic year.

You and your parents/guardians will need to fill out an application form available from Post Offices TM in Greater London and this may then take up to 2 weeks to be processed after you return it. For more information, pick up or download a Travel discounts for children, teenagers and students.

5-10 year olds

Children aged 5-10 years can now travel FREE at any time on the buses, the Tube, trams, DLR and London Overground at any time. More information can be found on Transport for London’s website.

16-18 year olds

If you are 16-18 years old, you may also be able to get free travel on buses and trams if you are in full-time education, live in a London borough and, to qualify, you must have a valid 16+ Oyster photocard.

Behaviour Code

If you are using an Oyster photocard with travel concession on one of our services, it may be withdrawn if you:

• do not follow TfL`s Behaviour Code or
• commit a crime on one of our vehicles

The Behaviour Code will be in your Oyster photocard wallet.

Go to top of page

• Transport for London's Journey Planner