Last Chance: Kids Go Free Ends This Weekend

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Last Chance: Kids Go Free Ends This Weekend

The summer holidays are nearly over, which means there's just one weekend left to make the most of our free travel offers for children and young people.

Until Monday 31 August, children aged 11 and under can travel free with a fare-paying adult, while young people aged 12 to 15 can also travel free throughout August as part of the Government's Great British Summer Savings campaign.

Whether you're planning a family day out, a trip to the coast or one last summer adventure, now's the perfect time to leave the car at home and hop on board.

Who can travel for free and when?

Between 18 July and 31 August 2026, children aged 11 and under can travel for free with a fare paying adult. This includes ENCTS, and excludes U22 products, student tickets and GNE's 5-25 products.

In August young people aged 12 to 15 can also travel for free, as part of UK Government's Great British Summer of Savings campaign. This offer runs from 1 – 31 August only.

How many children can travel for free with an adult?

In previous summer school holidays, up to three children could travel for free but this summer there will be no limit on the number of children that can travel for a free with a fare paying adult.

Do children travelling free need a ticket?

Yes, this summer children travelling free will need a ticket from the driver. Parents travelling with younger children should tell the driver how many children are travelling with them, and older children travelling in August will need to ask the driver for a ‘Kids Go Free’ ticket when they board the bus.

Fares for older teens and young people 

Although people aged 16 – 21 can’t travel for free, you can still benefit from very affordable fares. Our 21 and under tickets are just £1 for a single journey or £3 for a day ticket valid on most buses in Tyne & Wear, Co Durham & Northumberland. These tickets are also valid on Metro, Shields Ferry & Sunderland-Blaydon rail line. 

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What happens from 1 September?

From Tuesday 1 September, our summer free travel promotions will come to an end and normal fares will apply.

We still offer great value travel with our 21 and under tickets: 

If you're aged 21 and under, you can buy TNE's £1 single fare or £3 day ticket on our app. The £1 single can be used for any single journey on Go North East buses in Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Northumberland - the £3 day ticket allows unlimited travel in the same areas on all operators' local bus service, and can also be used on the Metro and Shields Ferry.

Find out more about our fares here.