Freedom Pass

Freedom Pass

The Freedom Pass provides people with free travel on buses, Tube, trains, Docklands Light Railway and trams in London. It is paid for by your local council to help both older and eligible disabled people get around.

You can find out whether you are eligible for a Freedom Pass by entering your date of birth into London Council’s eligibility calculator .

In October 2012, the Mayor of London announced that Londoners who were not eligible for a Freedom Pass but who reach 60 years of age will be able to apply for a new type of Oyster photocard being launched on 1 November, which would restore their entitlement to free travel on Transport for London services 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The concession, known as the 60+ Concessionary Travel Scheme , will expire when a customer’s age reaches the age of eligibility for the London Councils Freedom Pass.

People with a 60+ London Oyster photocard, Older Person’s Freedom Pass or English National Concessionary Scheme pass are able to travel for free on TfL buses from 9am, Monday to Friday and at anytime at the weekend and on bank holidays. There are no restrictions for people who have a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass. And as part of the National Concessionary Fare scheme, you are also able to use your pass on bus services outside London.

People with a 60+ London Oyster photocard, Older Person’s Freedom Pass or English National Concessionary Scheme pass are able to travel for free on the London Underground from 9am, Monday to Friday and at anytime at the weekend and on bank holidays. There are no restrictions for people who have a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass.

National Rail

Free Standard Class travel is available for all freedom pass holders on local rail services after 9.30am.

On some routes,  different times apply . Passes are not valid on Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express or any long distance inter-city train that does not stop at intermediate stations within the Freedom Pass area .

For travel beyond the freedom pass area you must purchase a separate extension ticket  before you travel . You should show your freedom pass at the ticket office when purchasing tickets. Holders of Senior and Disabled Persons Railcards may be able to obtain a discount on the price of extension tickets.

Docklands Light Railway & Trams

People with a 60+ London Oyster photocard, Older Person’s Freedom Pass or English National Concessionary Scheme pass are able to travel for free on the Docklands Light Railway and London trams from 9am, Monday to Friday and at anytime at the weekend and on bank holidays.

Freedom Pass holders get a discount on many Thames river boat services.

If you travel before the allowed times, or travel beyond London, and you do not have a valid ticket,  you may be liable for a penalty fare . You must be prepared to show your pass to a member of staff at any time and let them check the pass if requested.

More information can be found on the  Freedom Pass website  and you can also  download a map of the Freedom Pass area .

Important note:   Make sure you keep your Freedom Pass separate from your contactless bank card.   Freedom Passes use Oyster card readers in the same way as Oyster cards and contactless bank payment cards.  It is therefore important to keep these cards separate from each other to avoid being charged incorrectly.  If your contactless card has been charged for a journey inadvertently contact TfL immediately .

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Apply for an older person's bus pass

If you live in england or wales.

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age .

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London.

In Wales you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

Enter your postcode to:

  • apply for a bus pass from your local council
  • check if you can get one sooner

Find a postcode on Royal Mail's postcode finder

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

You get an older person’s bus pass when you’re 60. Apply if you’re in:

  • Northern Ireland

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  • Freedom Pass

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  • Using the pass

Freedom Pass travel map

Download the image (PDF) of this map

Please note that the Freedom Pass map is a simplified version and some lines and stations have been removed to make it clearer.  Detailed travel maps can be found here . 

Elizabeth line

Freedom Passes will be valid to use on all of the Elizabeth line including stops outside of London.   

Changes to Freedom Pass Travel Times

From Wednesday 18 January 2023, the temporary suspension of free travel for Older Person's Freedom Pass and 60+ London Oyster photocard holders between 04:30 and 09:00 on weekdays, which was put in place during the pandemic, will become permanent.

For more information and why the decision was made can be found  here

Disabled Persons Freedom Pass holders are not   affected by this change.

How you can travel for free on London Underground and buses for life

This would be a huge help for those who have to get around a lot

  • 20:13, 28 NOV 2023

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While the London Underground and the city's buses are a dream for getting around our frankly massive city, the costs can really add up over time, even putting you off making some journeys.

Fortunately, there are ways to save, whether that's adding a railcard to your Oyster card, or taking advantage of multiple buses within one hour so you only pay once. But one special pass blows all of these out of the water though, giving holders free travel for life on buses, the Tube, DLR, Trams, the Overground, and the Elizabeth line - everywhere on Transport for London's (TfL) network.

Known as the TfL Freedom Pass, there are several ways you can get one, but you'll have to fit into two groups of criteria.

READ MORE: Inside the London Underground's brand new trains as line gets £2.9 billion upgrade

apply for free travel pass london

The first of the two types of Freedom Pass is an Older Person's, this allows the holder to travel free on TfL services from 9am on weekdays and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.

To get an older person's Freedom Pass all you have to do is live in a London borough and be of state pension age (that's 66 for both men and women). You can apply for one online here.

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You can sign up to get the latest London travel news, live updates and fun trivia sent straight to your WhatsApp from the MyLondon team.

To get stories sent to you, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'join community' .

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The other version is the Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, which grants you free travel at any time on TfL services.

To be eligible for this you must live in a London borough and have an eligible disability. Eligible disabilities include:

  • People who are blind or partially sighted
  • People who are profoundly or severely deaf
  • People without speech
  • People who have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk
  • People who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
  • People who have a learning disability that is defined by TfL as 'a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning'
  • People who, if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

However, London boroughs may, at their discretion under exceptional circumstances, issue Freedom Passes to disabled people that do not meet one of the statutory eligibility criteria. You can find more information on this here .

If you have one of the eligible disabilities you can apply for a Freedom Pass online here.

Love the Tube with a passion? Sign up to MyLondon's London Underground newsletter for all the latest news, analysis and trivia HERE .

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apply for free travel pass london

apply for free travel pass london

Full list of everyone in London that can get free travel and how to apply

Some London travellers may be unaware that they could be entitled to free travel across the capital.

It comes as Transport for London (TfL) offers a unique benefit to millions of Londoners with the Freedom Pass. 

The pass allows those eligible to get free or discounted travel across London transport services and some National Rail services. 

Find out who is eligible, how to apply, and what the Freedom Pass allows you to do below.

Who can apply for a Freedom Pass in London?

The Freedom Pass is available in two variations, the Older Person's and the Disabled Person's.

To be eligible for the Older Person's Freedom Pass your age must be in with the women's state pension age, 66 years old).

If you are this age or above, you will be able to apply for the Older Person's pass regardless of whether you work or not. 

The Disabled Person's Freedom Pass requires people to have a sole or principal residence in London and have any of the statutory disabilities listed in the Transport Act 200.

The statutory disabilities include: 

1) People who are blind or partially sighted

2) People who are profoundly or severely deaf

3) People without speech

4) People who have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk

5) People who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms

6) People who have a learning disability that is defined as 'a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning

7) People who, if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

How to apply for a Freedom Pass?

You can apply for a Freedom Pass via the London Council website here.

What does the Freedom Pass do?

The Freedom Pass lets you get free or discounted travel on services including buses, trams, the Tube, DLR, London Overground and the Elizabeth Line. 

RECOMMENDED READING

Full list of all the benefits London pensioners can claim

How does the Freedom Pass work?

London's Older Person's Freedom Pass works all times Monday to Friday except from 4.30am to 9am, you also get free travel on weekends and bank holidays. 

Those with a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass can use the pass at any time to travel on TfL services. 

You can also get discounted river tickets by showing your pass when buying a ticket. 

Check to see if you could get a Freedom Pass. (Image: PA)

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Apply for an older person's Freedom Pass

The Freedom Pass for older people gives free travel on most public transport in London from 9 : 00 am‑ 4 . 30 am (after 9 . 30 am on most National Rail services within the London area), including all day at weekends and on public holidays. This pass may also be used to travel on local bus services in the rest of England under the terms of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act  2007 .

Apply for an older persons Freedom Pass

This action is completed on another site (londoncouncils.gov.uk). Press the button to go to the start of the process.

You can apply for the older person's Freedom Pass if you meet the age criteria and your main residence is in the London Borough of Lambeth.

Find out if you are eligible

If you’re a London resident aged 60 or over and are not eligible yet for a Freedom Pass, you may be eligible for TfL’s 60+ London Oyster Photocard. 

You will need to provide proof of identity, proof of address and one colour passport-sized photograph when you apply. 

Find out which documents you can provide

Lost, stolen, damaged or faulty passes?

Go to the  new portal  to replace your Freedom Pass.

Freedom Pass holders who lose or damage their passes will be charged £10 for replacements.

The Freedom Pass is paid for by your local council and the scheme is managed by London councils on behalf of the London boroughs.

Who is eligible for this ticket?

  • Customers in possession of a valid open class ticket

What are the conditions of travel?

Customers who are already in possession of or purchasing on the day of travel a valid standard class ticket(s) such as Family Ticket, Day Return, Open Return, Weekly, Monthly, Annual or InterRail ticket can book on their chosen service by selecting the 'Reservation Only' option in the Passenger selection box. Customers are advised there is limited availability for seat only bookings online.

How do I buy this ticket? 

  • Read our FAQ on how to book a seat only reservation .

Where can I buy this ticket? 

  • You can purchase the ticket  above using our journey planner . Tickets can only be purchased up to 90 days in advance.

Where do I collect the ticket? 

See our  Ticket Collection  section.

  • Free Travel/DSFA Pass Holders

Customers who hold a  Free Travel / DSFA Pass  can book on their chosen service by selecting the  'Free Travel Pass'  option in the Passenger selection box. Customers are advised there is limited availability for Free Travel bookings online.

  • Please see our handy guide on how to book a 'Free Travel Pass' option .
  • You can purchase the ticket  above using our Journey Planner . Tickets can only be purchased up to 90 days in advance.
  • An allocation of bookings on all InterCity services can be reserved online without a fee for 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders'. When this allocation is fully booked, all remaining seats can be reserved by 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders' for €2.50 per journey. 

For more information on Online Tickets please see Ticket Information

There are a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces on each train, book in advance to avoid disappointment.

passenger-seat icon Travel Pass or Travel Ticket holder

Is an option for customers who are in possession of Free Travel Pass, a valid standard class ticket(s), seasonal ticket(s), Taxsaver ticket(s) or InterRail to book onto a train in standard class. Customers who have a valid standard class ticket but wish to upgrade to First Class should also use this selection. For more information go to Tickets Explained section.

Please select the passenger(s) who require this ticket type

New timetable from 26th August 2024

New timetable from 26th August 2024

Please check times before travelling on our journey planner.

Service Updates

Events and concerts.

We recommend that all customers travelling by rail to book InterCity travel online in advance

Pre-booking Free Travel

Free travel pass or valid ticket.

A 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket' allows customers who hold a travel pass to book online

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This is a new service - your feedback will help us improve it . The current official website is still available .

Apply for a Freedom Pass

If you do not yet have a Freedom Pass, you can apply for one online or by post. Please note, this is for first time applications only. If you need to replace or renew your existing Freedom Pass, please do not submit a new application.

Apply for an older person's Freedom Pass

Apply for a disabled person's freedom pass, help improve the site by giving feedback.

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COMMENTS

  1. Freedom Pass

    Buses, trams and trains. Travel free on bus, tram, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line. You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. If you have a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, you can ...

  2. Free and discounted travel

    Children under 5 travel free with a fare paying adult - check your fare. ... 60+ London Oyster photocard. Free travel if you're 60 or over and living in London. Freedom Pass. Free and discounted travel if you're 66 or have a disability and live in London.

  3. 60+ London Oyster photocard

    You apply online for a 60+ London Oyster photocard from two weeks before your 60th birthday. You need to provide: A colour image of your valid, machine-readable passport. This must be in .png or .jpg format and be less than 6MB. The image must show your photo, personal details and passport number.

  4. Free and discounted travel

    free travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London. You can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard from two weeks before your 60th birthday. details from your valid, machine-readable passport or your valid UK driving license (full or provisional)

  5. Freedom Pass

    The Freedom Pass provides people with free travel on buses, Tube, trains, Docklands Light Railway and trams in London. It is paid for by your local council to help both older and eligible disabled people get around. You can find out whether you are eligible for a Freedom Pass by entering your date of birth into London Council's eligibility ...

  6. What is a Freedom Pass and at what age can you get it?

    If you're over 60, but still too young for a Freedom Pass, a 60+ Oyster card could be a good option. It still provides free travel on the London Underground, Overground, trams and buses, as well as some TfL Rail and National Rail services, but you can't use your pass outside of London. The card has a one-off £20 administration fee.

  7. Apply for an older person's Freedom Pass

    An older person's Freedom Pass is available to all London residents over the age of 66. You can apply for an older person's Freedom Pass online or by post. Please do not submit a first time application if you require a replacement pass as this may cause unnecessary delays. Replace your Freedom Pass if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

  8. Freedom Pass

    Freedom Pass provides Londoners over the age of 66 and those with eligible disabilities free public transport across the capital and on local buses across England. Find out more about this scheme and apply for, or manage, your Freedom Pass here. Skip to main content ... The 60+ Oyster pass is a travel scheme provided by the Mayor of London and ...

  9. Apply for an older person's bus pass

    If you live in England or Wales. In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age. If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other ...

  10. What is a London Freedom Pass and who can apply for one?

    The pass allows those eligible to get free or discounted travel across London transport services and some National Rail services. Find out who is eligible, how to apply, and what the Freedom Pass ...

  11. Am I eligible for a Freedom Pass?

    Age. You become eligible for an older person's Freedom Pass on your 66th birthday, however, you can start your application process 14 days before your 66th birthday. For example, if you were born 1st March 1964, you would be eligible for a Freedom pass 1st March 2030, however, you could begin your application process 16th February 2030.

  12. Freedom Pass

    Buses, trams and trains. Travel free on bus, tram, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line. You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. If you have a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, you can ...

  13. Freedom Pass travel map

    From Wednesday 18 January 2023, the temporary suspension of free travel for Older Person's Freedom Pass and 60+ London Oyster photocard holders between 04:30 and 09:00 on weekdays, which was put in place during the pandemic, will become permanent. For more information and why the decision was made can be found here. Disabled Persons Freedom ...

  14. 16+ Zip Oyster photocard

    Children aged 16 and 17 can get a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. If your child is 16 now but was 15 on 31 August, they can still apply for and use an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Adults who live in a London borough who were 18 on 31 August and in full-time education, can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams.

  15. How you can travel for free on London Underground and buses for life

    The first of the two types of Freedom Pass is an Older Person's, this allows the holder to travel free on TfL services from 9am on weekdays and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. To get an older person's Freedom Pass all you have to do is live in a London borough and be of state pension age (that's 66 for both men and women).

  16. Freedom Pass

    The Freedom Pass gives free travel on most public transport in London 24 hours a day (after 9.30am on most National Rail services within the London area), including all day at weekends and on public holidays. This pass may also be used to travel on local bus services in the rest of England. ... The application process is managed by London Councils.

  17. TfL 60+ London Oyster photocard

    In order to be eligible for a 60+ Oyster pass you must be over 60 but not yet be eligible for a Freedom Pass and have your sole or principal residence in London. Apply for a 60+ Oyster pass on the TFL website. Using the pass. The pass allows free travel on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London.

  18. Full list of everyone in London that can get free travel and how to apply

    The pass allows those eligible to get free or discounted travel across London transport services and some National Rail services. Find out who is eligible, how to apply, and what the Freedom Pass ...

  19. Apply for an older person's Freedom Pass

    The Freedom Pass for older people gives free travel on most public transport in London from 9:00am-4.30am (after 9.30am on most National Rail services within the London area), including all day at weekends and on public holidays. This pass may also be used to travel on local bus services in the rest of England under the terms of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007.

  20. Travelcards and group tickets

    Travelcards. A Travelcard (in the zones it's valid for) gives you unlimited travel at any time on bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London. You can use it on all buses, and if valid in zones 3, 4, 5 or 6, on all trams. Travelcards can start on any day.

  21. MD3014 Proposed permanent changes to free travel ...

    That the Mayor: i. approves the proposed revisions to the Older Persons' Freedom Pass and the 60+ London Oyster photocard validity to permanently remove free travel between the hours of 4:30am and 9:00am on weekdays (excluding bank holidays), to be implemented as set out below. ii. directs TfL to implement the above changes on and from 18 January 2023, by signing the attached Direction ...

  22. Ireland rail travel information

    A 'Free Travel Pass or valid ticket' allows customers who hold a travel pass to book online. Read more We are hiring Apply Now. Join our team! We are seeking applications for a range of roles across the business. Read more. See more offers. News & Services Updates New ...

  23. Apply for a Freedom Pass

    Apply for a Freedom Pass. Back. If you do not yet have a Freedom Pass, you can apply for one online or by post. Please note, this is for first time applications only. If you need to replace or renew your existing Freedom Pass, please do not submit a new application.

  24. The Go City London pass with access to 80+ experiences

    London & Partners is registered in England under no. 7493460. Registered Office: London & Partners, 169 Union Street, London SE1 0LL. London & Partners is the business and destination agency for London. We are a social enterprise, combining purpose with commercial rigour. We are funded by grants, partners and our portfolio of venture businesses.

  25. 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards

    Expiry. 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards expire on 30 September in the year after your child's 16th birthday. A parent or guardian can then apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. Any remaining pay as you go credit from a 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard will not be transferred to a new 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. You will need to contact us to arrange a refund.