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:
- They're available on most journeys outside of London Zones 1-9 on train services operated by Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink across most of the Southern & Gatwick Express network
- You can’t travel on London Underground services unless the ticket is a One Day Travelcard
- Travel is not permitted on other operators services except with the £2 One Day Travelcard where travel is permitted on the same National Rail and Transport for London services within Zones 1-9 as a normal child rate One Day Travelcard
- Discounted tickets are not available for journeys that include rail bus links
- 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.