Transport for LondonUnder 11
Zip is the name for Oyster photocards for young people. If you already have one, you don't need to replace it, just use it until it expires.
Who needs a 5-10 Oyster photocard?
Unaccompanied travel
If your child is aged 5 to10 and needs to travel unaccompanied on Tube, DLR and London Overground services they will need a 5-10 Oyster photocard to travel free at any time.
Please note: Child and Under-14 Oyster photocard only allow free unaccompanied travel on buses and trams, and child-rate travel on Tube, DLR and London Overground services. Therefore, if your child has one of these Oyster photocards and uses it on Tube, DLR or London Overground services, they will be charged a fare. They need to get a 5-10 Oyster photocard if they want to travel unaccompanied on these services.
Your child does not need an Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams (under-5s must be accompanied).
Your child will also need a 5-10 Oyster photocard or a National Rail Child Photocard to use a Travelcard season ticket on National Rail services in London (your child can also use their Child or Under-14 Oyster photocard).
Accompanied travel
Children accompanied by an adult can travel free on Tube, DLR and London Overground services without an Oyster photocard provided the adult travelling with them has:
- A valid ticket, or
- Paid an Oyster pay as you go fare, or
- A Freedom Pass, or
- A Veterans Concessionary Travel Oyster photocard
Who is eligible for one?
You can apply for a 5-10 Oyster photocard if your child is more than four years and 11 months but less than 10 years and 11 months.
If you live in London:
The easiest and quickest way to apply is to get an application form from a Post Office in Greater London and areas just beyond the boundary that are served by the London bus and Tube networks.
Alternatively you can ask for an Oyster photocard application form to be sent to you or call our helpline on 0845 330 9876*
All applications for 5-10 Oyster photocards must be made at a Post Office. You need:
- A completed application form
- Your child's valid Passport, ID card (from a European Economic Association country) or birth certificate
- A passport-sized photograph of your child
You should submit your child's application at least two weeks before you need the Oyster photocard. There is no fee to pay for your child's first Oyster photocard or if you are replacing their Child or Under-14 Oyster photocard with a 5-10 Oyster photocard. If you apply through the Post Office and your child already has an existing 5-10 Oyster photocard, the application will be rejected.
Your Oyster photocard will be sent to the address you provide on your application. If your Oyster photocard doesn't arrive within two weeks, please call 0845 330 9876*, quoting your application reference number.
If you live outside London
You can apply for a non-resident 5-10 Oyster photocard online. You need to allow three weeks for this to be processed.
You will need to:
- Supply a digital passport-type photo
- Pay £5 by debit or credit card. This will be loaded on your photocard as credit to pay as you go and can be refunded if you do not use it
You will need to pick up your 5-10 Oyster photocard when you arrive in London.
It can be collected from any Travel Information Centre. You will need to show proof of your child's date of birth in the form of a valid Passport, ID card (from a European
Economic Association country) or birth certificate.
You must do this within two weeks of the collection date you choose when ordering.
Points to note for non-resident applications
- This £5 fee will automatically be deducted from your credit/debit card account even if the application is subsequently rejected because the photograph is unsuitable. If the application is successful, the £5 will be added to your child's Oyster photocard to pay as you go. A refund of this credit can be made on application to the Oyster ticketing and Refunds office, 55 Broadway, London SW1H 0BD or by calling 0845 330 9876*
- Your child's Oyster photocard will only be available at the Travel Information Centre nominated by you, from the expected collection date you specify in your application, for a maximum period of 14 days, after which it will no longer be available for collection
- The applicant or the child whose name is on the photocard must present the child's original passport, ID card (from European Economic Area country) or birth certificate with the date of birth given in the application when collecting the Oyster photocard
When you apply for an Oyster photocard, you will need to provide personal data such as name, address and date of birth.
Learn more about how we use your personal information
PIN number and expiry dates
You will be given a PIN number for your child's new 5-10 Oyster photocard when you apply. You will need this if you have a query about your child's card if it is lost or stolen. Once you have received your child's photocard you can change the Oyster photocard PIN online by creating a photocard account and using the 'Change PIN' option.
Your child's 5-10 Oyster photocard will expire the day before their 11th birthday. To continue to get free travel on buses and trams and child-rate travel on Tube, DLR, and London Overground services, your child will need to apply for an 11-15 Oyster photocard. They can do this up to a month before they turn 11.
Contact us
Duplicate cards - 0845 331 9872*- If your child's Oyster photocard has been lost or stolen, you will need to re-apply to get a duplicate. You will need to pay a non-refundable fee of £10. You must apply online or phone 0845 331 9872. You cannot apply via the Post Office.
- If your child's Oyster photocard is worn and more than two years old, you can get a duplicate free of charge by calling 0845 331 9872
Call the Oyster help line on 0845 330 9876* if:
- If you have a query once your child's application has been submitted or want to track the progress of your application, please call the helpline on 0845 330 9876* or can text your application reference number to 07624 809325. You will receive a response from our SMS service. Standard network charges apply
- If appropriate, a refund of the unused value of any ticket product or money to pay as you go balance on the lost or stolen Oyster photocard can be made. You need to contact Oyster ticketing and Refunds, 55 Broadway, London SW1H 0BD or call 0845 330 9876*
* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute (current at September 2009). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different.
Download the Travel discounts for children, teenagers and students leaflet (PDF 472KB)
Terms and conditions of 5-10 Oyster photocard scheme
