Family traveling on public transport, but the kids don't have credit cards to "tap" on/off

We were in the NL in spring 2024. For that Tap system, you could link several tap modes to one credit card. For instance you could use an Apple Watch, Apple Wallet on phone, and the card itself- three modes- all on the same one account.
I'm assuming this works for other countries that offer Tap Pay systems. Have a great trip!

Different countries have different systems when it comes to paying for public transport. There isn’t one general payment system throughout Europe. In London you can use a credit card to tap in and out, but that won’t work in Paris.
So first, you need to tell us where exactly you be traveling to, only then can we give you advice about how to pay for public transport.

As dutch_traveler points out, different cities have different payment systems - for London, your Apple Pay option works. If you and your wife have cards linked to the same credit card account, that will also work. Do you/your kids not have debit cards you can use?

You don't say where in France you'll be, but assuming it's Paris, you can use the Navigo app - it's an NFC-based smartphone payment option.

A convenient system until it’s not. Last spring in the Netherlands, my hubby and I used out credit cards that are linked to the same account, yet have separate numbers.
I know Apple Pay and the actual credit card work for two different people. I saw more than one young person tapping in with Apple Watches and Apple Pay on their phones with mostly success. A few times when there was an employee on the tram and it didn’t work, they just waved them through.

Just confirming that in London, two people can use two separate cards that are linked to the same account. As others have said, you can also use Apple Pay across different devices linked to the same account so that could work for your children in London. I also endorse the suggestion of using the Navigo app for the Paris metro- the app is called Bonjour RATP and with it you can purchase a refillable card (similar concept to an Oyster card in London) but it's not physical, it is stored in your Apple wallet (that is if you have an iPhone, I assume they have a similar concept on Android). You can then load up tickets on this card from within your Apple wallet- e.g. buy a pack of ten, and use your phone to tap in and out. Unfortunately in Paris you can't just use your debit/credit card to tap in. Good luck!

I am speaking way out of place here, because I know nothing about public transportation in Italy, France or the UK. But where I live we have Tap and Go payment on the metro lines now. Every time i see a tourist use it I cringe because here those taps are the eqivelent for individual tickets. Do make sure that isnt what you are doing where ever you are going. Do research and see if there is a pass good for the period of time you will be in the city.

To respond to the comment regarding individual tickets vs a pass- in London, the amount you are charged in a seven day period is always capped at the equivalent fare of a weekly pass- so you will always get the best rate even if you are using pay-as-you go. There's more info here: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares/pay-as-you-go-caps

When I was in London with children recently, the youngest went through free with an adult. I used my phone to tap myself through and handed my grandson a credit card to tap through. He handed it back to me as soon as he tapped (I guess I could have tapped it for him if I was worried about someone snatching it), then I gave him the same credit card to tap back out. It wasn't a worrisome event. I think one benefit to the oyster card is that children above the age where they can go through free can still get 1/2 off with the card, but we also didn't want to deal with purchasing it for just a few days.

"here those taps are the eqivelent for individual tickets. Do make sure that isnt what you are doing where ever you are going. Do research and see if there is a pass good for the period of time you will be in the city."

There is a fare cap in London, regardless of whether you use contactless card or Oyster. Contactless card is easier and can be used for some routes where Oyster is not valid. Paris - there are a range of passes, but they can be loaded onto the Navigo app so you still tap your phone.

Re kids - given they're quite likely to be catching public transport to school etc they will be pretty used to tapping on and off. Our kids used debit rather than credit cards at home for transport, and have never lost them.

Simon, is why I mentioned it. I am learning. Thank you. Do be careful in other markets. You could end up paying a lot for what is otherwise cheap transportation.

A lot depends on the country.

For example on busses and trams in Flanders it is possible to travel with multiple persons on a CC. You just tap your card several times, and this way can pay for multiple persons. I would not be surprised if other systems do it like that to.

It becomes more complicated in systems where you need to both tap in, and tap out. There usually everyone needs their own card.

And yes, if you travel a lot you end up with a lot of PT cards. I have over 30 in my collection by now.

What is the exact ages of your children - are they essentially adults - or still in the 11-15 group? In London, teenagers 11-15 get a discounted rate on the tube, so it could be better to get them Oyster cards and have a discount applied, depending on your planned usage. I think they can get a 1/2 off rate with the Zip Oyster card for ages 16-17, but since it's 20 GBP to get it, probably not worth it unless you staying a long time or using the tube a lot.

I have been wondering this as well!
We are traveling to Switzerland and Italy in September 2025. We have 2 boys who will be 12 and 13 when we travel. They do not have phones.
No one mentions anywhere traveling with kids that are over 5. Yes they say there are discounted rates but no mention anywhere about tap and go with kids.
We will be in Rome two occasions for a total of 7 nights and we will no doubt use the buses and metro. I have been meaning to look at the prices of a pass. It might be a bit more expensive and I'd have to stand in line (potentially) once but seems like it would be easier and I do not want to have to whip out cc's at any point if it can be avoided

Please post about logistics of traveling with your kids after you get back!

In France — well at least in Paris — it's not an issue, as there is no possibility to tap in /tap out to ride public transit anyway.

Every one has to have a ticket (yes, some of those can be on phones, if you've downloaded the app and bought tickets), but each traveler has to have their own.

Just buy Navigo Easy cards (2€ each) for each kid and load tickets onto them if you are not buying a weekly pass (valid Monday through Sunday).

You and your husband can each download the IDF Mobilites app (or Bonjour RATP app), each of you two adults can create an account for yourself (only) on your phone and load tickets on your phone if you really want to use your phone to hold tickets. But again that is just for the two of you. The kids will each need a card with tickets on it.

What about separate credit cards but that share an account (like my husband and I have 2 cards for 1 account). Do those work as separate, unique payments for individual riders?

Does each card have a unique number?

Some of our credit cards ( one account) have different numbers on them for each of us. Other credit card accounts have the same number.
I suspect the former would probably work as unique payments, while the latter are unlikely to do so.