Older Person's Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster Cards are not valid on TfL services between 4:30am and 9:00am on weekdays (excluding bank holidays).
Disabled person's Freedom Pass is valid anytime on TfL services.
How to use your Freedom Pass
Find out how and when to use your Freedom Pass and what routes are included.
Find out how and when to use your Freedom Pass and what routes are included.
Using your Freedom Pass
On the gates at most stations and when boarding buses you will see a yellow circle which is a card reader. Keep your pass in its wallet and touch the pass flat onto the yellow card reader.
- When travelling on Underground and train services you will need to touch your card on the reader when entering and exiting stations
- On buses, trams and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) you will only need to touch your card on the reader when boarding
- On buses with more than one entry door you must touch your card on a reader at the earliest opportunity.
Holders of contactless payment cards
If you have a Freedom Pass and a contactless payment card make sure you keep your them separate.
If you touch a purse or wallet containing your Freedom Pass and a contactless payment card onto a yellow reader, the reader may charge your payment card for the journey rather than recognising your Freedom Pass.
If you have a valid Freedom Pass and have been charged a fare on your contactless payment card, please contact TfL Customer Services on 0343 222 1234 to apply for a refund. You will need to advise them of your Freedom Pass number, name and bank account details.
Visit the TFL website to find out more about contactless payments.
When can I use my Freedom Pass?
Please see table below showing when the Freedom Pass is valid to use.
| Tfl Services | National Rail | ||
| Weekdays | Weekends and Bank Holidays | Weekdays | Weekends and Bank Holidays |
Older person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ oyster card | After 9am | Any time | After 9:30am | Any time |
Disabled Freedom Pass | Any time | Any time | After 9:30am | Any time |
Freedom Pass map
Download our Freedom Pass map, which shows all routes that are valid to travel on with a Freedom pass and restricted times.
Freedom Pass map
PDF - 204.93 KB
What routes can I use my Freedom pass on?
Tube, Tram, TfL Rail, DLR, Elizabeth Line and London Overground
Bus
In London
Your Freedom Pass provides you with free travel on all TfL bus services except services between 4:30am and 9:00am on weekdays, unless it is a bank holiday. This does not affect disabled person's Freedom Pass holders.
Please note that some bus services into and out of London are not operated by TfL and may not be included in the scheme.
Local buses elsewhere in England
Your Freedom Pass is valid on most other bus services in England and has the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) 'Rose' printed on it to show this. This means you can use your pass on most local services around the country. Your pass will be valid Monday-Friday 09:30 - 23:00 and anytime at weekends and on public holidays. The Freedom Pass is not valid on most intercity coach services and is not valid in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, or on tram or National Rail services outside London.
We strongly advise you to contact the bus operating company before you travel to check the validity of your pass if you are at all uncertain.
River services and cable car
River Bus
Operated by Uber Boats
Freedom Pass holders can receive 50% off all Uber Boats by Thames Clippers fares. This includes a 50% discount on River Roamer tickets, single tickets and season tickets.
River Tours (Sightseeing)
If you have a Freedom Pass you may get a discount on some River Tour sightseeing services but please check with the individual operator.
- City Cruises (Westminster to Greenwich and Tower Pier circular)
- London Eye River Cruise
- Thames River Boats (Westminster to Hampton Court)
- Thames River Sightseeing (Westminster to Greenwich)
- Turks River Trips (Hampton Court to Richmond)
The Woolwich Ferry
Free to all users at all times.
IFS Cloud Cable Car
Freedom Passes can be used to buy a discounted printed ticket on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
Freedom Pass holder’s fare is £3.00 one way, which is a discount of 50% of the full fare of £6.00. Freedom Pass holders will need to buy a ticket from ticket offices which are located at both terminals, IFS Cloud Greenwich Peninsula and IFS Cloud Royal Docks.
There is a multi-journey ticket for regular users, which allows passengers to make 10 single journeys for £17, equating to £1.70 per single journey. The multi-journey ticket will appeal to people living or working in the local area who wish to use the IFS Cloud Cable Car on a regular basis and is available to purchase from both IFS Cloud terminals.
National Rail
Your Freedom Pass allows you to travel in Standard Class on most local rail services in London, during the following times:
- Monday to Friday from 9.30am and until 4.30am the following morning
- At any time on weekends and public holidays
The Freedom Pass is not valid for travel on train services operated by:
- East Midlands Trains
- Grand Central
- Hull Trains
- Gatwick Express (Only available with the purchase of an extension ticket at the start of your journey)
- Heathrow Express
- London North Eastern Railway
- Southeastern high speed services to and from St Pancras International and Stratford International
If you are travelling by National Rail you need to make sure you are travelling within the Freedom Pass boundaries or you may receive a penalty fare. If you wish to travel beyond the Freedom Pass area you must buy a separate extension ticket before you travel.
Extension tickets used in conjunction with a Freedom Pass are not valid on services operated by any of the Train Companies listed above (with the exception of the Gatwick Express).
Always show your Freedom Pass with your photograph at the ticket office when buying extension tickets. Holders of Senior and Disabled Persons Railcards may be able to obtain a discount on the price of extension tickets.
Protecting your pass from damage
- Keep your card in its protective wallet - remember you don’t need to take your pass out of the wallet to use it.
- Take care not to bend or scratch your pass or write anything on it.
- Keep your pass away from your mobile phone/pager or anything electronic.
- Be careful to keep your pass away from coins, studs and zippers as they will scratch it.
- Don’t keep your card in your back pocket as it will get damaged if you sit on it.
- Do not insert your card into the ticket slot on Tube or National Rail Stations.
Inspections
You should be ready to show your Freedom Pass to station staff or ticket inspectors if requested. For more information please read Transport for London's Conditions of Carriage. Pass holders are reminded to be respectful and courteous to all transport staff.
Travelling with children
Up to four children aged under 11 may travel free with a Freedom Pass holder on all buses, trams, Tube, DLR and between stations on the orange routes on National Rail/London Overground services as per the Freedom Pass map.
Lending your card to someone else
Please do not lend your pass to friends or relatives. The Freedom Pass is only to be used by the authorised holder.
Find out more about the Freedom Pass terms and conditions.
In possession of a Freedom Pass which isn't yours?
If you find a lost Freedom Pass, please send it to:
London Councils
4th Floor,
Arthur Street,
EC4R 9AB
If you know of somebody who has passed away and had a Freedom pass, please send an email to info@freedompass.org to inform us.