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Child fares & railcards

Who travels free, who needs a photocard, and how railcard discounts apply.

Free

Under 11

With a fare-paying adult, up to four per adult. No ticket needed.

Child rate

Ages 11–15

Needs an 11–15 Zip Oyster photocard. Without one, the adult fare is charged.

a third off

Railcard on Oyster

Off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares. Link it at a ticket machine - it will not work on a contactless bank card.

Railcards require Oyster

Most railcards can be linked to an Oyster card at a ticket machine or Visitor Centre for a third off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares. Contactless bank cards cannot carry a railcard discount. If you hold a railcard, use Oyster. Otherwise the two charge identical fares. See Oyster & contactless.

Child fare & railcard questions

Do children travel free on the Elizabeth line?

Yes. Under-11s travel free with a fare-paying adult, up to four children per adult, with no ticket or card needed. Use the wide gate.

What do 11 to 15 year olds pay?

Child-rate pay as you go, which needs an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Without one they are charged the full adult fare, so apply before you travel - the photocard takes a few weeks to arrive.

Can I use a railcard on the Elizabeth line?

Yes. Most railcards can be linked to an Oyster card at a Tube station ticket machine or a Visitor Centre, giving a third off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares. The discount cannot be applied to a contactless bank card.

Does a railcard discount work with contactless?

No. Contactless bank cards cannot carry a railcard. If you hold one, use Oyster to get the discount.

Does the railcard discount apply at peak times?

No - it applies to off-peak pay-as-you-go fares only. At peak times you pay the standard adult fare even with a railcard linked.

Do children travel free to Heathrow?

Under-11s travel free to Heathrow on the Elizabeth line the same as anywhere else on the line, accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Rules from TfL, reviewed by 2027-03-01. Adult single prices are on the fare finder; TfL doesn’t publish per-journey child fares, so we don’t estimate them.