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Benefits and Entitlements

If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass.

What transport concessions are available?

Can i get a free bus pass, can i get a discount on train travel, can i get a london freedom pass, what if i have difficulty using public transport, what if i'm unable to use public transport, more travel concessions questions.

There are several national public transport concessions available to older and disabled people. Some entitle you to discounts on your fares, while others allow you to travel for free.

Eligibility for these concessions depends on whether you have a disability or your age. 

Depending on your age and your circumstances, you might be able to get one of the following free bus passes, which allow you to travel free on local buses:

• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass

What age do I have to be to get an older person's bus pass?

You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.

Apply for your older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.

Apply for your 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website

How can I get a disabled person's bus pass?

There's no central provider of the disabled person's bus pass – to find out if you're eligible and how to apply, you need to get in touch with your local council.

Find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Are there any other discounts if I'm an older person or I'm disabled?

It's a good idea to contact individual transport operators to see if they offer discounts.

For instance, National Express offers Coachcards. These are discount cards for older or disabled customers. You buy them for a set fee of £15.00 and they get you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.

Find out more and order a Coachcard on the National Express website

Depending on your age and circumstances, you might be entitled to one of the below railcards:

• a Senior Railcard
• a Disabled Person's Railcard

Both railcards are discount cards. You buy them for a set fee to last either 1 or 3 years and they get you a third off the cost of your train travel.

Can I get a Senior Railcard?

The Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy.

You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.

Find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online

Can I get a Disabled Person's Railcard?

The Disabled Person's Railcard is available to you if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
• you're registered as having a visual impairment
• you have epilepsy
• you receive a disability-related benefit, such as  Personal Independence Payment
• you receive War or Service Disablement pension
• you receive Attendance Allowance
• you receive Severe Disablement Allowance
• you receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement

Find out more about the Disabled Person's Railcard and apply online

Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including National Rail services, the Underground, buses, river services and trams – and free local bus journeys nationally.

If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you:

• you've reached State Pension age
• you have a disability.

Find out more about Freedom Passes and apply on the London Councils website

National Rail has an interactive tool called Stations Made Easy, designed to help people find their way around stations and find more accessible routes, avoiding potential difficulties like stairs. This may be helpful if you have difficulty using public transport because of your health. 

Find out more and use the tool on the National Rail website

If you're disabled, you can't use public transport, or you don't have access to a car, you might also be able to use a community transport scheme – such as a social car, dial-a-ride, or taxicard scheme.

Shopmobility schemes help people shop in town centres by lending out wheelchairs and scooters. Some local councils also offer concessions on local public transport.

To find out what's available in your area, you can contact your local council or your local Age UK.

Find your local council on GOV.UK

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No, you can't use a free bus pass on National Express buses. To get senior concessions on National Express you need to buy a senior coachcard, which costs £15 a year.

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Yes, your bus pass will give you free travel on buses across England, including London. However, there may be specific rules about when you can travel for free, so check your local council's free bus pass guidance before travelling.

Find your local council's older person's bus pass guidance on GOV.UK

Want more information?

Apply for an older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

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Last updated: Apr 09 2024

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Apply for an older person's bus pass

If you live in england or wales.

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age .

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London.

In Wales you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

Enter your postcode to:

• apply for a bus pass from your local council
• check if you can get one sooner

Find a postcode on Royal Mail's postcode finder

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

You get an older person’s bus pass when you’re 60. Apply if you’re in:

• Northern Ireland

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Do Over 60s Get Free Travel in London?

Mobility Extra Team

As the population continues to age, many resources are becoming available for older adults, and one such perk is discounted or free travel. A common question among the +60 age group residing in the bustling city of London is whether they can benefit from free travel. The answer is yes, but there are specific conditions and requirements that need to be met.

Those who are 60 years or older and live in a London borough are eligible for a 60+ London Oyster photocard. This photocard grants free travel on buses, trains, and other modes of transport within and around London. However, it is essential to note that this free travel privilege is typically limited to certain times such as from 09:00 or 09:30 on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays.

To obtain a 60+ London Oyster photocard, individuals need to apply through the Transport for London (TfL) website. It’s worth mentioning that once someone becomes eligible for a Freedom Pass, they should transfer their 60+ Oyster pass to it. The Freedom Pass extends these benefits to more services and times, enhancing the advantages available to older Londoners.

Free Travel for Over 60s in London

London offers several travel concessions for people aged 60 and over, ensuring accessible and affordable public transport options across the city. This section discusses two key provisions: the Freedom Pass and the 60+ London Oyster Photocard.

Freedom Pass

The Freedom Pass is available to older adults who have reached State Pension age and live in a London borough. It grants free access to a variety of public transport options, including buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, and some National Rail services within London. Elizabeth Line services are also covered when they become operational.

To apply for an Older Person’s Freedom Pass, check your eligibility and fill out an application on the London Councils website. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an Oyster card, which serves as your Freedom Pass. Simply touch in and out at the gates or validators, and you’ll be able to enjoy unlimited travel on London’s public transport network.

60+ London Oyster Photocard

For those who are aged 60 or over but have not yet reached the State Pension age, the 60+ London Oyster Photocard offers an alternative for free travel in London. This concession allows holders to travel for free on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, and some National Rail services within the London fare zones.

To be eligible for a 60+ London Oyster Photocard, you must be 60 years of age or older and reside in a London borough. Applications can be submitted via the Transport for London (TfL) website. Once approved, you will receive an Oyster Photocard, which must be touched in and out at the gates or validators while travelling.

Keep in mind that the 60+ London Oyster Photocard is a temporary concession until you become eligible for the Freedom Pass. Upon reaching State Pension age, you will need to apply for the Freedom Pass to continue enjoying free travel across London.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for free travel in London if you are aged 60 or over, you can apply for the 60+ London Oyster photocard . This allows free travel on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, and most National Rail services in London. Discounted fares are also available on River services and the Emirates Air Line. However, free travel on services outside London is not offered.

To qualify for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, you must:

• Be aged 60 or over
• Live in a London borough

If you meet the State Pension age, currently 66 for both women and men, you can apply for an Older Person’s Freedom Pass instead. This also provides free travel within and around London.

For disabled individuals, there is a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass , which offers similar travel benefits.

Apply Online

To apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, visit the Transport for London (TfL) website. Older Person’s Freedom Pass and Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass applications can be made on the London Councils website.

Required Documents

To apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, Older Person’s Freedom Pass, or Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass, you will need the following information and documents:

• Proof of age (such as a birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of address (such as a bank statement, utility bill, or council tax bill)
• A passport-sized photograph
• National Insurance number (for Older Person’s Freedom Pass)

Remember to double-check your application’s details and requirements on the appropriate website before submitting.

Using the Pass and Travel Benefits

Coverage and travel options.

If you are 60 or over and living in London, you can access free travel on buses, trains, and other modes of transport within and around the city using the 60+ London Oyster photocard.

The 60+ London Oyster photocard provides coverage for the following transport options:

• Trains (including Thameslink)
• London Underground
• Docklands Light Railway
• London Overground
• Tram services
• River services (if operated by TfL)

Using Your Pass

To use your 60+ London Oyster photocard, you will need to touch in and out on the yellow card readers found at stations, on buses, and trams. Travel is free on weekdays from 09:00 and anytime on weekends and bank holidays for Older Person’s Freedom Pass holders, while Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass holders enjoy free travel at all times.

Remember to carry your 60+ London Oyster photocard with you at all times when travelling, as you might be asked to show it when using transport services.

Discounts and Offers

Aside from the free travel benefits, there are additional discounts available for 60+ London Oyster photocard holders and other eligible passengers such as disabled people and veterans. Some of these include:

• Pay as you go fares at a discounted rate for river services not operated by TfL
• Discounted travel for unemployed people seeking work in London through the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card
• Santander Cycles membership discounts for easy access to the cycle hire scheme

For children under the age of 11, they can travel free on most TfL services when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket or Oyster card.

About the author

Notice:MobilityExtra.com is an information and guidance-only website. The information on the site is not tailored advice to each individual reader and, as such, does not constitute actionable legal advice nor actionable financial advice. All information, guidance or suggestions provided are intended to be general in nature. You should not rely on any of the information on the site in connection with the making of any personal decisions, and you should always do your own in-depth research first and speak to specialists.

By using this website, you accept that you use the information at your own risk, and we can’t accept liability for any action you take. You should also note that we do not provide financial advice or legal advice, and no content or articles on the site should be regarded as financial advice or legal advice. You should always do your own research before choosing any financial or legal product, so that you can be sure it is right for you and your specific circumstances.

We aim to provide helpful content, but we can’t guarantee that it is always correct. We try to provide the best information we can. However, we cannot guarantee we won’t make mistakes. We can also not guarantee that the information you read is up to date from a legal or financial perspective. So please note that you use the information on our site at your own risk. We advise that you read our information in conjunction with other sources. If you do find any errors, please email us at [email protected].

At times we work with third parties who act as affiliates or partners. We might receive a commission or payment from them if you were to engage with them directly. We do not also provide quotes, advise or sell products directly to consumers, nor are we a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Licensed Agent or Broker. This site is an information hub and the options expressed are our own and should not be considered as advice.

We always strongly recommend that you get professional advice when seeking support on any topic, particularly legal and/or financial advice. Further guidance on financial topics can be obtained from moneyhelper.org.uk. You can also find legal advisors through the Law Society website.

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London Councils

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• Freedom Pass

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Older persons Freedom Pass

Eligibility

Find out if you are eligible for a pass

First time applications

Find out how to apply for a pass

Has your Freedom Pass expired?

Find out how to renew your Freedom Pass

Documents and photograph

For all freedom pass applications one proof of name and age, one proof of address, and one photograph are required., change of details, lost, stolen or damaged pass.

What to do if you need to replace your Freedom Pass?

London Tube Fares – Senior Citizen Discounts For Over 60s

• Do senior citizens get free tube fares?
• Are senior bus passes valid on the train?
• Freedom Pass
• Freedom Pass travel times
• How to get a Freedom Pass
• 60+ Oyster photocard
• 60+ Oyster photocard travel times
• How to get a 60+ Oyster photocard

Can tourists get a 60+ Oyster card?

• Senior Railcard
• Senior Railcard travel times
• Are Senior Railcards valid on the tube?
• How to get a Senior Railcard

Do seniors travel for free on the tube?

UK senior citizens aged over 60, who live in a London borough, are entitled to free travel on the London Underground if they have one of the senior passes described below.

UK senior citizens who don’t live in London, and all foreign tourists, have to pay a normal adult fare .

Senior Railcards are available to everyone over 60, but don’t apply to all tube journeys ( see below ).

Can you use an OAP bus pass on the train?

If your OAP bus pass was issued in England, but by a non-London council, then it will only work on the bus – see senior bus fares for more information. They do not work on the London Underground.

If your OAP pass was issued by a London council (called a Freedom Pass ) then it will work on both.

What is a Freedom Pass?

A Freedom Pass (also known as an Older Persons Freedom Pass ) offers free travel to senior citizens if their principal home is in London, and they’re old enough to receive a woman’s state pension (regardless of whether they’re a man or woman).

A Freedom Pass is the size of a credit card and works in exactly the same way as an Oyster card – you simply tap it down on the big yellow Oyster readers that you find at the front of all TFL buses, and by the ticket barriers at London Underground stations.

Where can you use a Freedom Pass?

A Freedom Pass can be used on TFL buses , the London Underground , London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Elizabeth Line, London trams, and in standard class on most National Rail trains within London. But it is not valid on the Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express, or Southeastern high speed services to/from St Pancras and Stratford International. A complete list of all the National Rail routes which are excluded can be found on their map at londoncouncils.gov.uk .

Pensioners can also benefit from a senior discount rate on the Uber Thames Clipper and IFS Cloud Cable Car .

The Freedom Pass is also part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) – denoted by the red rose symbol on the front. This entitles you to free bus travel on local services the length and breadth of England (but off-peak hours only – usually 9.30 AM to 11 PM Mon-Fri and all day Sat-Sun). And it only works with local bus services – not coaches, trams, trains, or any other form of public transport outside London. And it doesn’t work in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland either.

What are the time restrictions on a Freedom Pass?

A Freedom Pass does have some time restrictions. Senior citizens can only travel for free outside of the morning peak period (4.30 AM to 9 AM, Monday to Friday). If you need to travel before 9 AM then you’ll have to pay a regular tube fare . There are no time restrictions at the weekend.

Bear in mind that National Rail trains have a different peak period to London Underground tube trains. For most National Rail trains within London you need to travel after 9.30 AM Monday to Friday, or any time during the weekend, but you should check before you travel to be sure.

How can you apply for a Freedom Pass?

Pensioners can apply for a Freedom Pass online at londoncouncils.gov.uk .

In order to qualify for a pass you need to be old enough to receive a woman’s state pension (regardless of whether you’re a man or woman). If you’re not sure whether you meet the age criteria then you can enter your date of birth into their eligibility calculator .

You will also need to provide an active email address, a passport-style photograph, proof of age, and proof of your address within a London borough. (Note: If you work inside London but live outside London then you will not be eligible for a pass.)

Suitable documents to prove your age include a birth certificate, passport, driving licence or medical card. Documents which can prove your address include a recent council tax bill, utility bill or television licence. Bank or building society statements are not accepted.

What is a 60+ London Oyster photocard?

A 60+ London Oyster Photocard is aimed at people aged over-60 who’s principal living address is in London, but are not yet old enough to qualify for a Freedom Pass .

These passes are used in exactly the same way as an Oyster card . All you have to do is tap it down on the big yellow Oyster readers that you find at the front of all the buses, or by the London Underground ticket barriers.

Where can you use a 60+ Oyster photocard?

A 60+ London Oyster Photocard gives senior citizens free travel on London buses , the London Underground , London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Elizabeth Line (excluding the stretch between West Drayton and Reading), trams, and most of the National Rail trains within London. It does not work with any transport services outside of London.

Pensioners also get concessions on the Uber Thames Clipper and IFS Cloud Cable Car .

What are the time restrictions on a 60+ London Oyster photocard?

A 60+ London Oyster Photocard does have some time restrictions. Free bus and tube travel only applies after 9 AM (Monday-Friday) or any time during the weekend . If you need to travel before 9 AM then you’ll have to pay a normal bus and tube fare .

For most of the National Rail trains within London you need to travel after 9.30 AM (Monday-Friday) or any time during the weekend, but the timings differ between routes. Check this map to be sure: tfl.gov.uk/​60-plus-london-free-travel-national-rail-map.pdf .

Note: Unlike a normal Oyster card, it’s not possible to load any extra credit onto a 60+ London Oyster Photocard . So if you need to pay a normal fare then you’ll have to purchase a completely separate ticket.

How do you apply for a 60+ Oyster photocard?

Senior citizens can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard two weeks before their 60th birthday at tfl.gov.uk/​fares/​free-and-discounted-travel .

The photocard costs £20 and you need to provide them with an active email address, a valid UK driving licence or digital image of your machine-readable passport (which includes your photo, personal details and passport number), a digital passport-style photo of yourself, plus a debit or credit card that is registered to your home address to prove you live in a London borough. You can also provide them with proof of address by showing them a recent utility bill or credit statement from your bank or building society.

If you can’t provide some of the items then the website gives you the option of printing off a verification letter which you can take into your local Post Office.

Every year you have the pass you have to pay an extra £10 fee and provide them with proof of address all over again.

And once you reach the state pension age you will need to bin the card and apply for a Freedom Pass instead. A Freedom Pass offers the same discounts, but is supplied by your local council rather than TFL.

No. Senior citizens from abroad cannot apply for any kind of senior pass. Only pensioners who live in London can get free travel on the tube.

What is a Senior Railcard?

A Senior Railcard is aimed at people aged over 60 and who are planning on using National Rail trains the length and breadth of Great Britain, and maybe an Oyster card on the London Underground.

For £30 a year, or £70 for three years, the discount pass will grant you a ⅓-off a wide range of National Rail train tickets and off-peak Oyster fares .

The average saving made by each pensioner over the course of a year is £98.

Can you use a Senior Railcard on the London Underground?

You can use a Senior Railcard on the London underground, but it works best on National Rail trains, where it grants you a 33% discount on Standard, First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares. You can also use it on the Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express and Stansted Express.

It’s not quite as useful on the tube because it only applies to single journeys and the off-peak daily cap on Oyster . It does not apply to peak time journeys. And it doesn’t apply to cash fares or contactless fares either.

Off-peak on the London Underground is outside the hours of 6.30 AM-9.30 AM, and 4 PM-7 PM (Monday to Friday). Weekends and bank holidays are always classed as off-peak.

You can also get 33% knocked-off the cost of an Anytime 1-Day Travelcard – but only for zones 1-9 (which is more than most people will need), and only if it’s bought as part of a longer National Rail journey into London from outside London (subject to a minimum fare of £20.30).

Does the Senior Railcard have time restrictions?

Yes . The Senior Railcard is not valid for peak-time journeys within London, or morning peak-time journeys within the South East Network area.

Peak time on the London Underground is any journey that starts between 6.30 AM-9.30 AM, or 4 PM-7 PM (Monday to Friday).

The morning peak period for National Rail trains is a bit more complicated because it varies between routes, so it’s best to check your journey with the ticket office staff before buying your railcard.

Where can you buy a Senior Railcard?

Senior Railcards can be bought online at railcard.co.uk . You can also get them from a manned ticket window at a National Rail station. The National Rail stations in central London are Blackfriars , Cannon Street , Charing Cross , Euston , Farringdon , King’s Cross St Pancras , Liverpool Street , London Bridge , Marylebone , Paddington , Vauxhall , Victoria and Waterloo .

Bear in mind that you will have to provide them with proof of eligibility (like a UK driving licence, passport, national identity card or birth certificate), and a passport-size photo.

Senior Railcards come in two different versions: plastic and digital. Plastic ones will be sent through the post, whereas digital ones come with a Railcard app which can be downloaded on up to two different devices (like your mobile phone). It can also be loaded straight onto an existing Oyster card .

Your comments and questions

Suzy Are you able to use a senior rail card when paying with contactless

Staff Hi Suzy. No, you can load a senior rail card onto an Oyster card, but you can’t load it onto your bank card, so it doesn’t work with contactless fares.

Alan S Morgan I have a 60+ Oyster card. I shall be travelling before 9.30am. How can I update my card?

Staff Hi Alan. They've changed the times now so you can travel after 9 AM instead of 9.30 AM, but if that is still too late then you'll just have to pay a normal fare. The easiest way would be to use your contactless bank card.

ELSPETH Hello. On my Oyster card it includes senior rail discount would I get this discount on a contactless card please

Staff Hi Elspeth. Unfortunately not, because a contactless card is just your normal everyday bank card. There's no way to load a railcard onto it.

Ann Winder I have an OAP bus pass can i use it on the tube

Staff Hi Ann, if you mean a London Freedom Pass then yes, but if it was issued by a council outside London then no. If it was issued by an English council and has a red rose symbol on it then you can only use it on the buses

MAL Are cheaper fares for OAPs on the underground only available to Londoners or UK pensioners please? I am a pensioner from Wales

Staff Hi Mal. That's right, yes. You need to get hold of a Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster card, but they're only available to people who live in London. National bus passes work on London's buses if they were issued by an English council, but not Welsh ones unfortunately.

Rahmah Hi, we are Malaysians (3 paxs). Can we buy weekly ticket on senior citizen fares. We will be visiting London for 10 days. Thank you

Staff Hi Rahmah. Unfortunately not, no. Cheap fares for senior citizens are only available for UK citizens or people who live in London. An Oyster card will probably work out cheaper for you, rather than a weekly travelcard, but it all depends on how many journeys you're making in total. Bear in mind that a weekly travelcard has to be used over seven consecutive days. You can't spread the seven days over a stay of ten

Mr Jones I have a bus pass as I an 67 yrs old , can I get an oap rail card . So I and my wife can get discounted rail fare . She is 64 yrs old . Are we eligible for it as a couple even though she is not 66 yrs yet.

Staff Hi Mr Jones. Senior rail cards are valid for everyone aged 60 and over, so your wife will be eligible as well. You’ll both have to get one if you both want the discounts

Mrs smith Has the oap rail card for 1 yr stopped now. Only 3 yrs available.

Staff Hi Mrs Smith. Its still available, £30 for one year. If you click one of the links mentioned above for trainline or nationalrail then they’ll give you options for 1 year or 3 years

Artifex Isn’t it some form of human rights discrimination that while pensioners who live in London boroughs are entitled to free tube travel, pensioners from outside London are not?

Staff Hi Artifex. Freedom Passes aren't funded by the government. Local councils pay for them through their residents’ council tax.

Eliza T A bit confusing. 60+ oyster card allows me to travel free during Non-peak hours for London Underground as stated above. At the same time, under Senior Rail card, it stated that I can get 33% off on national Rail cost and non-peak London Underground (tube travel). Is it some confusion on the non-peak travel for London Underground? Is it free or 33% off? I am over 60 and move to and immigrate to London soon from oversea.

Staff Hi Eliza. The 60+ Oyster card is only available for people who live in London, whereas the Railcard can be bought by anyone. So If you live in London you're better off just getting the 60+ Oyster card. The only reason you'd want to get the railcard as well is if you were planning on travelling to other parts of the country, then you could get 33% off the national rail tickets.

Kris D Hello, I live in Liverpool and planning to spend a week this summer in London. I understand I can travel in London buses for free. I also have an Oyster card. What other cheaper travel options do I have for the duration of our stay. Thank you. Kris

Staff Hi Kris. The cheapest fares on the tube are always with Oyster and contactless (which are both the same), so if you already have an Oyster card I would use that on the tube and your national bus pass on the bus. (If you're staying for a whole seven days then it's possible that a weekly travelcard might work out cheaper, but only if you make two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six of the days)

Trevor I live just outside London (Ashford Surrey) and have to travel into London regularly for work. I have a senior person rail card, which gives me discount on the off-peak rail travel. Can I link the rail card to an oyster card to get cheaper underground travel?

Staff Hi Trevor. You can do, yes. you have to register your oyster card on the TFL website first (you’ve probably already done this) and then you just take both cards (or digital pass) to a member of TFL staff at the station and ask them to load it on. Then the discount will be applied automatically when you use the oyster card

Sarah Hello, we are going to be going to London for a week from May4-11th (flying from Canada). We are both over 60. We will be staying near Kew Bridge (zone 3).After reading about all the different types of cards and passes etc, it looks like the easiest (and cheapest?) option for us will be to use a contactless card and just tap on and off. From what I can gather the daily cap would be 9.60 pounds. It doesn't look like we wold be entitled to an over 60 discount. Is this correct?

Staff Hi Sarah. You certainly could use a contactless card if you wanted to, but if it's a foreign card then your bank might charge some kind of transaction fee every time you buy something with it over here, which will bump up the price of each ticket. So you should check that first. You can't get over 60s discount if you don't live in London, and it's too late to have a Visitor Oyster Card posted over to Canada, so we would recommend getting an Oyster card when you arrive, and loading it up with enough money to cover the 'daily cap' each day - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php - you can get them from heathrow if that's where you're arriving at. £9,60 is the daily cap for zones 1-3. the daily cap for heathrow to central london is £14,90 (zones 1-6)... I hope you enjoy the Coronation!

Maureen Hayhurst How much is the fare from Victoria to Waterloo?

Staff Hi Maureen. It depends on how you pay. All the different fares are shown here - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=victoria&to=waterloo

Bob I'm a pensioner living in Leeds but coming early September to London for 2 weeks how can I make my travel costs more acceptable as I wish to travel around London to see various sites

Staff Hi Bob. If you've got an OAP bus pass then that will give you free travel on London's buses after 9 AM, as long as it has the red rose symbol on it (it should do). Unfortunately you need to be living in a London borough to get free travel on the tube, so the cheapest fares will be with your contactless card - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

Colinne All answers for living in London. What is there for pensioners visiting London

Staff Hi Colinne. Senior citizens living outside london don't get any discounts on the trains (apart from the senior railcard described above), but you can use an English council supplied bus pass for free travel on the buses - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-bus-fares.php

Ste Hi how do I get to Heathrow Terminal 4 from kings cross and how much cost please travel at 5.30 pm

Staff Hi Ste. You can just get the Piccadilly line. The prices are shown here - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=kings-cross-st-pancras&to=heathrow-terminal-4

Rory Hi, as an Australian passport holder aged 64, am I eligible for the Senior Rail card?

Staff Hi Rory. You should be fine. According to their terms: "We accept machine readable passport codes from all countries except for those issued in the Philippines and Bangladesh prior to 2010" - senior-railcard.co.uk/​help/​faqs/visiting-outside-GB/

Jean Can I get a free Oyster card to load as a senior citizen from outside london

Staff Hi Jean. Unfortunately not, no. If you live outside london the only free travel you get is with your OAP bus pass on the buses, as described here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-bus-fares.php

Syl Can I load a senior rail card onto my visitor oyster Card? Presumably I will need to have my visitor oyster Card when I apply for my senior rail card or can I load my senior rail card later?

Staff Hi Syl. I don't think that's possible, because you need to register the oyster card online at the TFL website before you can load a railcard on to it. But they don't allow you to register visitor oyster cards, only regular oyster cards. You could buy a regular oyster card once you arrive in London, and load the railcard on then, but you won't be able to have it posted overseas before you arrive (I think you said you were from New Zealand in another post)

Jacquie Sorry sure you have been asked this many times. We are 66 and 68. We are in London for 3 nights in July, we need the flexibility to travel anytime on the underground. Do we just get an Oyster card each, or is there a better alternative? Thank you

Staff Hi Jacquie. If you want to travel at any time then the senior passes described above are no good (and you have to live in a London borough to get them). If you're from the UK then we recommend just using your contactless bank card because you won't have to pay the Oyster deposit. If you're from abroad then we recommend getting an Oyster card - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-contactless-travelcard-comparison.php

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> Forum: London Buses, Taxis & Trains

News | Transport

Free travel before 9am for over-60s with Oyster or Freedom Pass may never return

Free travel for Londoners aged 60 and older that was axed during the pandemic may never be restored, Sadiq Khan ’s top transport aide has admitted.

A long-delayed review of whether to restore free travel before 9am for holders of the 60+ Oyster or Freedom Pass is due by the end of the year.

But Seb Dance , the deputy mayor for transport, said the £230m funding gap in Transport for London ’s finances meant the restriction may have to be retained.

Forcing older Londoners to pay to travel before 9am raises about £15m a year in fares.

Mr Dance told the London Assembly transport committee: “A decision will be made very soon. Obviously it was one of the measures that we had to reluctantly introduce to try and claw back some revenue because of the pandemic.

“Whether or not that becomes a permanent feature, because of the need to address the funding gap we still have, remains to be [decided].”

The time restriction was introduced by TfL in June 2020 to “reduce crowding” and “help social distancing”.

But its retention became part of the Government’s bail-out deals that required TfL to generate additional income.

London boroughs, which administer the Freedom Pass, have been asked to advise TfL on the likely impact of retaining the restricted hours.

Mr Dance said it was “very much up for consideration” whether to fully restore the benefit.

“The rationale here is that there are far fewer people using the 60+ card for work,” he said.

“Obviously removing or watering down any concession is not something we would do with enthusiasm but purely out of necessity.”

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But critics say it is wrong to withhold the benefit from older Londoners while offering TfL staff free travel passes for relatives and paid time off for union duties.

Nick Rogers, GLA Conservatives transport spokesperson, said: "The morning peak travel ban for 60+ Oyster card holders is unnecessary while TfL continues to spend millions on nominee passes and paid Facility Time.

“The impact this is having on older Londoners, who relied on this to get to hospital appointments and to go about their daily lives, is unacceptable. Sadiq Khan’s priorities are wrong and not shared by Londoners."

TfL is also continuing to explore whether to withdraw from the Travelcard scheme that allows rail passengers to buy a ticket that includes Tube and bus travel.

TfL believes the train companies benefit disproportionately from the fare-sharing arrangement and withdrawing from it could save £40m to £60m per annum.

TfL chiefs also have concerns that paper Travelcards have a higher potential for fraud than Oyster or Contactless cars and a higher administration cost.