Oyster card for children......?

Question

We are going to visit London for 9 days.

I was told that to get an 7 days travelcard oyster card for a 13 years old child takes about 2 or 3 weeks. So it should be impossible if you are on holiday.

Other people told me that children travel free.

Others told me that I can buy an ALL ZONE OFF PEAK DAY TRAVELCARD for £1 but how long does it take to be issued?

So, is it impossible to buy a travelcard for her, in London?

Answer 1

Children Are only A Pound For A Day On The Day You Go

Answer 2

Yes, it is possible to get a travelcard for your child but you can't avail of the photo Oystercard for 11 - 15 & 16+ which allow free travel (but only on condition the child presents the card, otherwise they pay the fare) as they are only available to children resident in London fulltime.  

This link leads to information on child fares:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandti...

Answer 3

Yes, as you've found out, Oyster photocards are not really geared towards visitors. To answer your question, you just need to make sure that you or another travelling adult in your group has a Travelcard (not 'Oyster pay as you go' - any Travelcard will do, even a one-day travelcard is fine) and then your daughter will be able to travel during off-peak times using her £1 child rate Off-Peak Day Travelcard.

This info you were looking for is buried in the 'Travel discounts for children, teenagers and students' PDF:

"Travel for 11-15 year olds

If they don’t have an Oyster photocard, up to 4 children can still travel off-peak for £1 each when accompanied by an adult with a valid Travelcard.

REMEMBER: For child-rate cash singles, Day and 3-Day Travelcards, an 11-15 Oyster photocard is not needed."

Oyster cards and travelcards are issued on the spot at Tube stations ticket offices and Oyster Ticket Stops (certain newsagents).

Answer 4

Under-5s

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

5-10 year olds

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

On buses and trams

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

On the Tube, DLR and London Overground:

    * Up to four 5-10 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, 5-10 year-olds need a 5-10 Oyster photocard to travel free at any time

Under-11s travelling with an adult will not be issued with tickets and will be allowed to pass through the ticket gates at stations. Please note, if they have an Oyster photocard they should not use it when being accompanied or they could be charged a fare.

11-15 year-olds

Children aged 11-15 can travel free at any time on buses and trams, and across the entire London bus network including sections outside Greater London.

All 11-15 year-olds must have a valid Child, Under-14, 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.

16-18 year-olds

Children aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August prior to the start of the academic year who are in full-time education or on a work-based learning scheme, and who also live within a London borough, can travel for free on buses and trams across the entire London bus network, including sections outside Greater London.

Please note, 16-18 year-olds must have a valid 16+ Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams.

16-17 year-olds who are not resident in London or not in full-time education must have a valid 16+ or 16-17 Oyster photocard to travel at child-rate on buses, trams, the Tube, DLR and London Overground.  

Answer 5

Children are free on buses if they're under 10 but those over 10 but under 16 have to have a child oyster card. They must have one, otherwise they pay adult fare.

On the tube, children under 10 are free, and those between 10 and under 15 pay. If an accompanying adult has a travelcard, the child gets an all zone off peak travelcard for £1. Otherwise they pay adult fare.