How do cheap train tickets for kids work?
If you’re travelling with an Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket, you can bring up to four children aged 5-15 along for the ride for £2 each on most journeys across our network.
When you book online, we’ll automatically apply the discount to your trip, except for certain journeys across London or if you are just buying children’s train tickets as you already have the adult ticket for your journey. For these journeys, please visit one of our station ticket offices where we will be happy to help.
Where can I use Kids for £2 tickets?
There are limitations to where you can go that it’s useful to be aware of:
- Train journeys wholly within London Zones 1-9 are not valid
- You can’t travel on London Underground services unless the ticket is a One Day Travelcard
- Travel is not permitted on East Midlands Trains, Gatwick Express, LNER, London Northwestern, Southeastern, South Western Railway and Virgin Trains services
- Discounted tickets are not available for journeys that include rail bus links
- Tickets for journeys on our network can be used on Thameslink train services on routes where both operators have trains running
- If you’re using a season ticket it must be valid for the journey being made and can only be used with the same restrictions that apply to the £2 ticket
What if my child isn’t aged 5-15?
Child train fares vary depending on the age of your child. You can bring up to two children under five with you free of charge if you have a ticket – however they can only use a seat if it’s not needed by another passenger with a ticket.
If your child is aged 16+, the Kids for £2 discount does not apply so they’ll need to buy an adult ticket. If they use the train a lot, they could still save money with a 16-25 Railcard.
One of our ticket inspectors may ask to see proof of age for anyone travelling with a child’s ticket.