16+ Zip Oyster photocard
Who it's for
- Young people aged 16 and 17
- Adults aged 18 or older on 31 August, living in a London borough and in full-time education, can also apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams only
What you get
- 50% off adult pay as you go fares on bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London
- If you live in London, you get free travel on buses and trams
- Child rate 7 Day, Monthly or longer period Travelcard and Bus & Tram Pass
Who can apply
- A parent or guardian must apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard if their child is under 18
- If you're 18, you must apply for your own 16+ Zip Oyster photocard
What you should apply for
| Situation | Action |
| If your child is 16 now but was 15 on 31 August and live in a London borough | Apply for a 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard |
| If your child is 16 or 17 and lives in a London borough | Apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard |
| If your child is 16 or 17 and lives outside London (or outside the UK) | Apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard |
| If you were 18 on 31 August, in full-time education and live in a London borough | Apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams only |
Before you apply
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 young person's photo, name, date of birth and passport number
- A debit or credit card to pay the £20 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.
If you were 18 on 31 August, in full-time education and live in a London borough: Start your application online and you'll need to print a verification letter for your school or college to endorse or stamp. Once endorsed, you'll need to take it to a Post Office to complete your application.
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 need more help with your application, 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 16+ Zip Oyster photocard will usually arrive within 2 weeks
- Once you get it, 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
If you live in a London borough: Your 16+ Zip Oyster photocard expires on 30 September in the year after your 18th birthday.
If you don't live in London: Your 16+ Zip Oyster photocard expires the day before your 18th birthday.
If you want to transfer the balance of your expired Oyster photocard to a new one, call us on 0343 222 1234 Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00 (charges may apply).
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.