Question about paying for multiple passengers on the Tube

You need a separate card for each person.

You can pay for someone else's travel with your contactless card or device if they're travelling with you. You need to pay for your own travel with a different card or device.

If you have a joint bank account, you can usually both use your contactless cards to travel as each card will be charged separately.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/pay-as-you-go/contactless-and-mobile-pay-as-you-go

Hi Mary, thanks for the quick and helpful reply! Looks like we'll be getting a couple of oyster cards after all. :)

After decades of London travel I remain loyal to using an Oyster card for one reason. Well, maybe 2.

1.) If I lost my credit and/or tap card I’d be upset.

2.) Small hands so trying to use my iPhones Apple Wallet in a crowded station is a PIA … but that’s just me. As an aside I love the Oyster Card carriers. One is Alice In Wonderland purchased at the British Library. The other has a picture of William and Kate.

I have a couple of Oyster cards with £’s still in them. Will take on next visit. Easy Peasy

Hi Claudia, thanks for your thoughts! Having their own cards will probably let my kids feel more independent, too, and help them feel more confident traveling. Thanks again!

You are welcome and you’ve hit the bail on the head….you daughters will feel more independent. They’ll also have a souvenir.

I recently went back to using an Oyster Card after a short while using my phone.

Recently, I've seen too many warning posters in the London tube about device grabbing around the gates.

Like Claudia, I'd rather lose an Oyster Card than my phone. Or a credit card.

But to answer your question.....you can only use your card for one person.....but....you can use the same account for all. So, if you got a card for everyone in your group under your account, that could be used.

Busses are the same as the tube when it comes to paying the fare. Only they're cheaper.

If you're going to get Oyster cards for your kids, and depending on their ages, they may be able to ride for free or at a discounted rate:

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel

Hi Frank II, thanks for the information! I'll have to look into the discounted cards for my kids.

If they have a smartphone they can use that - even if the phone is linked to the same card you are using.

How old are your daughters? 10 and under go free. 16 and over are adults. It’s only 11-15 year olds that can get the Young Visitor Discount and it’s therefore worth getting Oyster cards for.

Thanks, i.p.enersen for the reminder! They don't have smartphones yet, though, much to their disappointment. :)

Johnew52-- they're 10 and 15, so the younger can ride for free. I thought there were turnstiles, though, so she'll need some kind of card I'm assuming? Thanks for the additional information!

All the gatelines incorporate at least one extra wide gate. These are essentially for the disabled/handicapped, adults taking very young children in prams/pushchairs, people with luggage.

They are also good for a paying adult taking through a child that travels free as they have a slower closing time than the normal gates.

So, you stand side by side at the wide gate, the adult taps a payment method on the reader, the gate opens and you go through together.

Easy ;)

Wex Cel, thank you for this information! Knowing that kind of detail helps me get a better, practical sense of what we'll be doing, so that I make the logistics of our trip run that much more smoothly for my family. :)

the wide gate is often where the member of staff stands too. In case you need anything....

Thanks, Nigel!

Depending on your lead time, you can get 5-10 and 11-15 Zip Photocards for your daughters.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel

Thanks, Sandra!