Oyster Card with kids

[mamalovestraveling]

Hi,

 

I understand that we can purchase Oyster Cards at Heathrow for the adults, but how do kids (btw 5-10 years) pass the ticket booth without being able to swipe a card to enter and exit?

Once in the city, how do we pay for the ferries?

I also read that you always have to swipe your card before exiting a bus, is that still current?

 

I did do research but apparently still confused ;)

 

Thanks in advance!

[markeb]

Can't help with the mechanics of actually getting the children through the gates. A lot of Tube stops have at least one wider gate for luggage and strollers, so that probably works. Get a real answer from someone in London on that one.

 

There is a Visitor Oyster Card that you have to order before arriving. Information, and answers to many of your other questions here: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card. Buses are touch in only; the Clipper is touch in and out.

 

You can also ride the Tube with your smart phone with Apple Pay of Google Pay. Each person needs a unique credit card number (most joint Visa accounts now issue two card numbers on the same account). Works best if you routinely use Apple (or Google) pay. Bonus is you can use your smartphone to pay for pretty much any purchase under £30.

[Globaliser]

Can't help with the mechanics of actually getting the children through the gates. A lot of Tube stops have at least one wider gate for luggage and strollers, so that probably works. Get a real answer from someone in London on that one.

That is exactly the answer for this one. Touch an adult Oyster to open the wide gates, and the children walk through with the adult. There are always staff available near the gates to help if there's a problem, and they are genuinely happy to do so.

 

Once in the city, how do we pay for the ferries?

... the Clipper is touch in and out.

Assuming that the OP means Thames Clippers (which is the only service that can really be described as a ferry) it's worth remembering that paying with either Oyster or contactless gets you a discount off adult fares.

 

Paying for children is a bit more complicated. The website says:-

 

Child (5-15)

 

Children between the age of 5 and 15 receive a 50% discount on all MBNA Thames Clippers fares excluding River Bus Express for The O2. This includes a 50% discount on Adult River Roamer tickets and season tickets.

 

For single journeys, child tickets purchased at the ticket office or self service ticket machine will be 50% cheaper than the Standard fare. Alternatively, children can receive 50% off the cheaper Oyster/App fare by purchasing via the app, online or by touching in and out with Oyster pay as you go.

 

If children are travelling with Oyster pay as you go and want to receive the 50% discount then the Oyster card must be an 11-15 Oyster photocard, a 5-10 Oyster photocard or an Oyster/Visitor Oyster card with young visitor discount activated.

 

This discount is not available on River Bus Express tickets.