Transport for LondonUnder-11s
Zip is the new name for Oyster photocards for young people, and from September the cards will have a new look. 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?
- Who is eligible for one?
- PIN number and expiry dates
- General information
Who needs a 5-10 Oyster photocard?
If you are aged 5 to 10 and need to travel unaccompanied on Tube, DLR and London Overground services you will need a 5-10 Oyster photocard to travel free at any time. If you use your Child or Under-14 Oyster photocard you will be charged a fare.
You 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 (you can also use a Child or Under-14 Oyster photocard).
You do not need an Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams (under-5s must be accompanied).You can also travel free on Tube, DLR and London Overground without an Oyster photocard provided you are accompanied by an adult who has a valid ticket, is using Oyster to pay as they go or has a Freedom pass.
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.
Download the Travel discounts for children, teenagers and students leaflet (PDF 550 KB)
If you live in London:
- You should submit your child's application at least two weeks before you need the Oyster photocard
- Application forms are available from Post Offices in Greater London and areas just beyond the boundary that are served by the London bus and Tube networks
- 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
- Alternatively you can ask for an Oyster photocard application form to be sent to you or call our helpline on 0845 330 9876*
- Your Oyster photocard will be sent to the address you provide on your application
* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute (current at August 2008). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different
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/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.
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.
General information
- If your child's 5-10 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 cannot apply via the Post Office but must apply online or phone 0845 331 9872
- If appropriate, a refund of the unused value of any ticket product or money to pay as you go balance on the lost/stolen Oyster photocard will be made by contacting Oyster ticketing and Refunds, 55 Broadway, London SW1H 0BD or by calling 0845 330 9876*
- If your child's 5-10 Oyster photocard will not work on the yellow reader, call the helpline on 0845 330 9876*
- 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 alternatively you can text your application reference number to 07624 809325. You will receive a response from our SMS service. Standard network charges apply
* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute (current at August 2008). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different
Terms and conditions of 5-10 Oyster photocard scheme
