Free and Discounted Travel
Buses and trams are a great way to get around Kingston and the rest of London. Depending on your age and educational status, you may be entitled to free or discounted travel.
Free travel for under 16 year olds
11 to 15 year olds must have a Zip Oyster photocard to get the full range of travel discounts available, including free travel on buses and trams across the entire London bus network including sections outside Greater London.
In addition to free travel on buses and trams, your photocard will also get you child rate pay-as-you-go fares on tube, DLR and London Overground which is capped at £1 for unlimited travel for the whole day.
Getting a photocard
To be entitled to this free travel, in most cases you need to be a holder of a valid photocard and these are now available for free. You’ll need a photocard if you’re:
- 14 to 15 years old
- 11 to 13 years old but look older
- 11 to 13 years old and want to use the tram free from Wimbledon.
You can apply for an 11-15 Oyster photocard at your local post office. Just bring along:
- A completed application form (which you can get at the post office).
- A valid passport or birth certificate.
- A passport-sized photo of yourself.
Your photocard will be sent to you usually within two weeks after you submit your application. Then you can enjoy your free travel!
Free travel for 16 to 18 year olds
If you're over 16 and under 19 years old and still in full-time education (or on a work-based learning scheme), you can continue getting free travel on buses and trams. But you must hold a valid 16+ Oyster photocard to get this entitlement.
If you're 16 to 17 and not in full-time education, a 16+Oyster photocard will allow you to travel at child rate on buses, trams, tube, DLR and London Overground.
Discounted travel for Students 18+
Students attending universities, colleges and schools which are registered on the TfL Student Oyster photocard scheme can apply for a 18+ Student Oyster Photocard.
The 18+ Student Oyster photocard will allow you to buy student rate 7 day, one month and annual bus passes and travelcards, which are 30% cheaper than the full adult price. Your card can also be loaded with pay-as-you-go which can be used for single journeys at adult-rate Oyster fares, which are cheaper than using cash.
Applying for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard
18+ Student Oyster photocards are only available by application through universities, colleges and schools who are participating in the 18+ Student Oyster photocard scheme. A fee of £5 applies. For further information, please call the TfL helpline on 0845 330 9876.
Losing your free travel entitlement
Travelling for free on buses and trams is a privilege given to you by London Transport. If you breach their behaviour code or commit a crime, your free travel entitlement can be withdrawn.
To learn more about how you can avoid losing your free travel, follow the link below.
Also see:
- Losing your free travel entitlement
Behave on buses or risk losing your free travel.