Free and discounted school travel  

Children can travel for free on most London public transport if they are 10 years old or younger. 

Children under 16 can travel for free on London buses and trams. 

Young people aged 16 to 17 can get free and discounted travel on all TFL transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard

Getting help with your child’s travel to school  

Check if your child can get help with costs when travelling to school 

Visit TfL to find out more about free and discounted travel for children and young people

Getting help with your child’s travel to sixth form 

The Sixth Form Travel Award helps with the cost of getting to sixth form or college. 

Who can apply  

Your child may be able to get help with travel costs to sixth form if: 

  • they live more than 3 miles from their sixth form or college  
  • they travel by a British Rail train or the London Underground 
  • your family’s total income is under £12,000 a year 
  • you get Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance – then you may get help automatically (as long as you live more than 3 miles from the school). 

How to apply  

You’ll need to provide evidence of your total gross income for the current financial year. This could include photocopies of: 

  • wages or salary by providing a current pay slip 
  • self-employed earnings  
  • money from your own business  
  • part-time work – if you don’t pay tax, get a letter from your employer showing how much you earn 
  • child benefit – if you list this, you don’t need to send proof 
  • recent (within the last 6 weeks) letters showing receipt of benefits including Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Tax Credits, Widow's or Incapacity Benefit 
  •  a copy of your pension letter or annuity book 
  • maintenance or separation payments – send proof of any money received from the other parent (not just for the child) 
  • interest and earnings from saving money and having investments  
  • any other income – include anything else you earn, like car benefits

You only need to include income from biological or adoptive parents. Do not include income from step-parents unless they have legally adopted the child.   

All financial information is kept private. We won’t return original documents unless you ask and send a stamped envelope. 

When you apply do not forget to sign Section C of the form.

Apply for a sixth form travel award  

What happens next  

You’ll be sent an email to confirm your application.   

If your application is approved, you’ll be contacted by us. 

Other help you can get