11-15 Zip Oyster photocard
Who it's for
Children aged over 10 years and 11 months, and under 16 on 31 August can get an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.
If your child was 15 on 31 August, they can still apply for and use an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, even though they'll use it when they're 16.
What you get
- Free travel on buses and trams
- Child rate pay as you go fares on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and IFS Cloud Cable Car
- 50% off most fares on National Rail services
- 50% off adult rate tickets on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus services
Before you apply
A parent or guardian must apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.
You will need:
- A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of your child which is a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB
- Details from your child's valid, machine-readable passport to verify their age and identity. All machine-readable passports are accepted, including non-UK passports
- A colour image of the details page from your child's valid, machine-readable passport that is in .png or .jpg format and less than 6MB. This must clearly show the child's photo, name, date of birth and passport number
- A debit or credit card to pay the £15 administration fee
We'll email you if we have to reject your photo or passport image. You will need to upload another to finish your application for your Zip Oyster photocard.
If your child doesn't have a valid, machine-readable passport: Start your application online and you'll be prompted to download and print a letter to take to the Post Office to complete it.
If your child doesn't have a valid machine-readable passport and you don't live in London: Start your application online and then collect your photocard from a TfL Visitor Centre. Apply at least 28 days before your preferred collection date.
Apply online
The first step is to set up a photocard web account. Use a different email address if you already have an online account for another Oyster card.
If you have any problems applying online or proving your age or address at a Post Office, call us on 0343 222 1234 Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00 (charges may apply). Then, select option 1.
After you apply
- Once your photo, passport image and/or your Post Office letter have been accepted, your 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard will usually arrive within 2 weeks
- Once you get your 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, you can use it straight away
- Make sure you always touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. You only need to touch in on buses and trams
- To manage your card, sign in to your photocard web account. You can also report a lost, stolen or damaged Oyster photocard
When it expires
11-15 Zip Oyster photocards expire on 30 September in the year after your child's 16th birthday.
A parent or guardian can then apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.
Any remaining pay as you go credit from a 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard will not be transferred to a new 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. You will need to contact us to arrange a refund.
Young Visitor discount
If you don't live in London and you're visiting with children who don't have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard, they can get discounted travel for up to 14 days with the Young Visitor discount.
Add the Young Visitor discount to an Oyster card to get:
- 50% off adult-rate pay as you go fares and daily caps on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and most National Rail services
The discount can be added to a standard Oyster card or Visitor Oyster card by a member of staff at:
- Any Tube or London Overground station
- Some Elizabeth line stations
- Visitor Centres
The children must be with you when you ask for the Young Visitor discount.
You can add the Young Visitor discount at the following Elizabeth line stations:
| Station | Monday-Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Romford | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | |
| Ealing Broadway | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| West Ealing | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | |
| Hayes and Harlington | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Southall | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | |
| West Drayton | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | |
| Abbey Wood | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Custom House | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Woolwich | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Canary Wharf | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
| Paddington | 10.00-15.00 | 10.00-17.00 | 10.00-17.00 |
Travelling with a discounted Day Travelcard
Children aged 5-15 can get a discounted Off-Peak Zones 1-6 or 1-9 Day Travelcard, when accompanied by an adult buying a discounted Off-Peak Zones 1-6 or 1-9 Day Travelcard at a ticket machine, using a valid:
When using discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcards everyone must travel together.
To buy a discounted Off-Peak Day Travelcard at London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail Station ticket office or Visitor Centre, you must show your Railcard or Annual Gold Card to staff.
Rules of travel for under 18s
When you apply, you agree that you or the Zip Oyster photocard holder will comply with our Young Person's Behaviour Code. If you or the photocard holder doesn't, we can withdraw the concession or photocard.
Find the terms and conditions for the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard on our photocard terms and conditions page.