What age do you get free bus travel in London?

In London, free bus travel is available for children under 11, and for residents aged 60+ (via the 60+ Oyster) or 66+ (via the Freedom Pass). Children under 5 travel free with a paying adult, while those aged 5-10 travel free on buses/trams without needing a card. For older residents, the 60+ London Oyster photocard provides free travel, and the Freedom Pass covers those at state pension age (66).

Are London buses free for over 60s?

Yes, if you're over 60 and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on London buses and most other public transport using a 60+ London Oyster photocard, allowing travel at any time; when you reach State Pension age, you can apply for the Older Person's Freedom Pass, which offers similar travel within London and free local bus travel across England. 

What age is free on London buses?

Transport for London already gives unlimited free bus and tram travel to all under 18s in London. Under 11s also get free Tube and rail travel, and those aged 11-18 travel at a child rate.

At what age are you eligible for a free bus pass in England?

You become eligible for an older person's Freedom Pass on your 66th birthday. The earliest you can start your application process is 14 days before your 66th birthday.

How do I apply for an over 60 Oyster card?

You can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard from 13 days before your 60th birthday. You will need: Active email address. Details from your valid, machine-readable passport or your valid UK driving licence (full or provisional)

How to pay for public transport in London (2025 UPDATE)

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.

Do I get free travel when I am 66?

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.

Is national rail free for over 60s?

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 is generally considered senior?

It is generally considered that anyone who reaches 60 or 65 is becoming a senior citizen.

What are the best ways to travel for free?

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.

What age is free on UK trains?

0-4 years old - travel for free with Greater Anglia and most UK journeys. 5-15 years old - eligible for a child train ticket, which gives 50% off Greater Anglia and most UK tickets. Kids can go from £2 return each when travelling with an adult off peak on Greater Anglia services.

Are there discounts for seniors on London travel cards?

A Senior Railcard, also known as the Over 60 Railcard, the Senior Citizens Railcard, or OAP Railcard, is a discount card that makes train travel cheaper for anyone aged 60+. With a Senior Railcard, you can save 1/3 on all Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak, and Advance tickets throughout Britain.

How to apply for an over 60 Freedom Pass?

To apply online, you will be asked to provide the following information:

1. Your email address.
2. Complete name and home address.
3. Proof of your name and age.
4. Proof of your residential status in London.
5. A colour photograph of yourself.
6. You will need to agree to our terms and conditions.

What is the 1 hour bus rule in London?

London's "1 hour rule" refers to the Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys for a single £1.75 fare within one hour of your first tap-in, using the same contactless or Oyster card. It means you can switch between buses and trams as much as you like, even linking with the Tube or DLR (though the main benefit is bus/tram hopping), without paying again, provided your subsequent taps are within 60 minutes of the initial touch. 

What is the best railcard for over 60?

The best railcard for those over 60 in the UK is the Senior Railcard, offering 1/3 off most train tickets (Standard & First Class, Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime) for £35 (1 year) or £80 (3 years), typically paying for itself in just a few journeys and saving users an average of £98-£112 annually. It's a national railcard for ages 60+, usable across Great Britain, and provides additional discounts on days out, hotels, and more.

Can I use my free travel pass on the train?

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). 

What do 60 year olds get free?

At 60, especially in the UK, you can get free NHS eye tests, help with prescriptions (England), discounts on travel (like the Senior Railcard or London's 60+ Oyster card), and potentially benefits like Winter Fuel Payments, depending on income and location, with further perks like free flu jabs (usually 65+) and discounted TV licenses or utilities often available, plus access to specific senior discounts for culture, heritage, and car maintenance.

At what age do you start feeling tired and old?

You might start feeling tired and "old" due to natural bodily changes peaking around your 40s and 50s (perimenopause, hormonal shifts, slower metabolism/blood flow), but significant fatigue (feeling run-down, not just sleepy) often points to lifestyle (poor sleep, diet, stress) or underlying issues, with physical resilience decreasing more noticeably after 60, making it crucial to address these factors for energy levels, notes this article from Top Doctors and this blog from Be You Health Studios. 

At what age do you get 100% of your social security?

You get 100% of your Social Security benefit at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, while for those born earlier, it gradually increased from 66 (for 1943-1954) up to 67. Taking benefits at your FRA provides your full monthly amount, but delaying past it (up to age 70) increases it, and starting early (as early as 62) reduces it permanently. 

Can I use my over 65 bus pass in London for free?

Buses, trams and trains

You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.

Why do Londoners get free travel at 60?

Freedom Pass is a concessionary travel scheme, which began in 1973, to provide free travel to residents of Greater London, England, for people with a disability or over the progressively increasing state pension age (60 for women in 2010, increased to 66 for everybody until about 2026, then increasing further).

What age can you travel free on London buses?

Children aged between five to ten can travel free on all buses and trams without a photocard. Up to four children aged between five to ten can travel free on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services without a Zip photocard as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

Can you get on London buses for free?

You can also travel free on buses and trams with an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. If you have a non-concessionary 11-15 Oyster photocard, you get 50% off adult fares. If you have a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and live in London, you get free travel on buses and trams. If you live outside London, you get 50% off adult fares.

How long before my 66th birthday can I apply for a Freedom Pass?

You become eligible for an older person's Freedom Pass on your 66th birthday, however, you can start your application process 14 days before your 66th birthday.