2 Adults, 2 Children - Pay on London Underground

Spanishsunawaits

Hi - in December, 2 adults and 2 children (ages 6 and 11), will be going to London for the weekend. We will be using the underground together over the weekend. We are two couples, i.e. one adult and one child each and will be paying in that way, not altogether.


What is the best way for us to pay? Do we get tickets from Kings Cross (arrival station) for the weekend or use contactless going through turnstile i.e. one adult, then one child?


Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks.

macman

The 6 year old travels free, the 11 year old will need a child ticket. Adults best to use contactless, no need to get Oyster cards. Bear in mind that you can't use the same card among two or more people, you must have a separate card each.
You can use a contactless card for the 11 year old, but then they'll be charged full fare.

Spanishsunawaits

Thanks for the reply. So if I am the adult with the 6 year old, I can use contactless, but how does the 6 year old go through the turnstiles?

The other adult can use contactless and can get child ticket for the 11 year old.

lammy82

Use the wide gate, your 6 year old can go through with you. Or show your ticket to the gate line attendant (usually stationed at the wide gate).

martindow

This page has options for your 11 year old


https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/travelling-with-children#on-this-page-1


It looks like getting an Oyster card and asking station staff to set it up for child fares is the best bet for a short visit.

macman

Bear in mind that a Visitor Oystercard will cost you a minimum of £15 (£5 purchase and minimum top up of £10). So whether it's worth getting one depends on how much you will use it for the 11 year old. It may be that you make little saving over using contactless at full fare.
And it cannot be purchased on arrival in London, only before.

mayoclinic

oystercard will cost you minimum 15 £

t0rt0ise

Use contactless for the adults. Buy an Oyster at Kings Cross and get underground staff to add young visitor to the card for half price fare. Younger free child goes through WAG.. wide aisle gate with adult.

At the end of your trip you can get the £5 oyster deposit and any amount under £10 left on the card refunded on a ticket machine.