Free bus passes in the UK are available to residents based on age (State Pension age, or 60 in some regions) or disability, typically applied for through local councils. In England, use GOV.UK to apply, while Scottish residents use mygov.scot for the National Entitlement Card. You will need to provide proof of age/residence, a photo, and potentially evidence of disability.
In the UK, you're eligible for a free bus pass if you're over State Pension age (for older persons' passes, varying by region) or have specific disabilities (e.g., sight/hearing impairment, learning disability, severe walking difficulty), with eligibility managed by your local council for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, or specific schemes in Scotland/Wales/London. Eligibility criteria differ slightly for age (based on rising State Pension age) and disability, requiring proof like a PIP award or medical evidence for the latter.
To apply for a free travel pass (concessionary bus/travel card), you typically apply through your local council or a national transport body (like Transport for Wales/Scotland) by proving your age (e.g., 60+) or disability, residency, and identity with documents (passport, council tax bill, photo) online or in person, but specific requirements vary by region (UK, Ireland, etc.). Check your local authority's website or a national portal like GOV.UK for eligibility and application links.
What is the difference between a 60+ card and a Freedom Pass?
The main difference is age: the 60+ Oyster Card is for Londoners aged 60-65, offering free travel in London for a £20 fee (plus potential annual costs/fees), while the Freedom Pass (Older Person's) is for those 66+, providing free travel on TfL services plus free local bus travel across England, automatically replacing the 60+ card when you're eligible, and it's funded by your council. Both offer free travel on London transport (buses, Tube, DLR, Overground, trams) after 9am on weekdays and all weekend/bank holidays, but the Freedom Pass has broader benefits.
As the free bus pass age in England is set to rise with state pension changes, pensioners born in these years will lose their free bus pass from 2026 🎟️🚌 Nobody will lose a pass if they already have one. New applicants will be eligible at a later age but they don't currently have one so cannot lose one.
🚍 UK Bus Pass Rule Change from 11th October 2025 – Everything You Must Know!
What is free when you are 60 UK over 60?
At 60 in the UK, you generally get free NHS prescriptions (in England) and free NHS eye tests, with prescription costs covered across the entire UK; you may also qualify for free NHS dental treatment, bus passes (eligibility varies by region), and discounts on glasses, but some benefits like free dental care often require receiving Pension Credit.
Can I use my over 60 bus pass anywhere in England?
In England, it's called the 'older person's bus pass' or the 'disabled person's pass'. You can use it in most areas in England for travel: Between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays. All day on weekends and bank holidays.
Yes, in the UK, you generally get free local bus travel at 66 in England and Wales (when you reach State Pension age) and for London residents (with a Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster), while Scotland has different rules for its National Entitlement Card, so it depends on your location and if you meet the criteria for your local scheme. You can apply for these passes via GOV.UK or your local council.
Your companion will be required to pay for their travel. Transport For London Buses. (you cannot use your pass on the Underground, DLR or Trams.) You will not be able to use your bus pass on weekdays between 04:30 and 08:59 You may use your pass to travel free at other times.
Yes, pensioners (aged 60 and over in the UK) get discounts on rail travel, primarily through the Senior Railcard, which offers 1/3 off most fares, but there are also local schemes for free travel in some areas like London (with a 60+ Oyster) or Wales (Concessionary Travel Card). The Senior Railcard costs around £35/year or £80/3 years and typically pays for itself quickly, providing savings on Standard and First Class tickets, including Off-Peak, Anytime, and Advance tickets.
Volunteering is not only one of the best ways to travel for free, it is one of the best ways to travel for those seeking an authentic experience and genuine connection with communities around the world.
No, National Rail isn't automatically free for over 60s, but you can get significant discounts with a Senior Railcard, which gives 1/3 off most fares across Great Britain; free travel is available in specific areas like London with a 60+ Oyster photocard or in Scotland with a National Entitlement Card, depending on where you live and your specific circumstances.
What age can you travel free on the bus in the UK?
In the UK, you get a free bus pass at your State Pension age, which is currently 66 for most people in England, but varies by birth year. In Scotland and Wales, you can get a pass at 60, while in London, you can get a 60+ Oyster card for free bus travel (and tubes/trams) from age 60, but the Freedom Pass for all London transport kicks in at State Pension age.
To get a free bus pass in the UK, you usually apply through your local council for an Older Person's Bus Pass (at State Pension age in England, 60 in Wales/Scotland/London buses) or a Disabled Person's Pass (no age limit, requires proof of disability). You'll need proof of ID, address, and sometimes your National Insurance number, applying online via your local council's website or GOV.UK, or by post, providing a passport-style photo.
Yes, you can book train tickets with a free travel pass, but you must select the "Free Travel Pass" or "Concession" option during booking online or get a free ticket from the conductor/station, as the pass itself often requires a zero-fare ticket to validate your journey, especially on National Rail, buses, and local services in places like Ireland, UK, and Wales. The process involves choosing the correct passenger type on the booking site and may have time restrictions (like after 9:30 AM on weekdays).
If you qualify for Free Travel, your Public Services Card (PSC) will have FT (for Free Travel) in the top left-hand corner. The letter following it shows who can travel for free with you: FT-P - you can travel for free. FT+S - your spouse, partner or cohabitant can travel with you for free.
At 60 in the UK, you generally get free NHS prescriptions (in England) and free NHS eye tests, with prescription costs covered across the entire UK; you may also qualify for free NHS dental treatment, bus passes (eligibility varies by region), and discounts on glasses, but some benefits like free dental care often require receiving Pension Credit.
You can travel free on most National Rail services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:30. You can travel free anytime on weekends and public holidays.
A Senior Railcard is the starting point for travelling by train. That's because it gives you 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares. It means you can save money on visits to the grandkids, trips into town to catch a show, or weekends by the seaside – as many times as you like.
Providing Londoners over the age of 66 and those with eligible disabilities free public transport across the capital and on local buses across England. About Freedom Pass.
