The London Freedom Pass: Free Travel Across London

For London residents, the Freedom Pass offers an invaluable way to travel around the city — and even beyond — without worrying about ticket costs. Whether you’re an older person or living with a disability, the Freedom Pass provides extensive travel concessions that make getting around London simpler and more affordable.

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What Is the Freedom Pass?

The Freedom Pass allows eligible London residents to travel free on public transport across the capital. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for one of two types:

• Older Person’s Freedom Pass
• Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass

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Each type gives access to free or discounted travel across London’s transport network — including buses, Tubes, trams, the DLR, London Overground, and most National Rail services within Greater London.

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What Time Can You Use the Freedom Pass?

With a disabled person's Freedom Pass, you can enjoy free travel on most forms of London transport at any time.

• Buses: you can use your disabled person's Freedom Pass at any time of day on the bus.
• Tube, DLR, Overground, trams and the Elizabeth line
• National Rail (within Greater London): free after 09:30 on weekdays, and any time at weekends and on bank holidays. Only journeys that stay inside London are covered — cross the boundary and you pay for the rest.

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The pass can't be used on the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, long-distance trains that don't stop within the pass area, coaches, or transport in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Please note that if you have the older person's Freedom Pass, there are restrictions on Tube, DLR, Overground and bus travel before 9am on weekdays.

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Who’s Eligible for a Freedom Pass?

Eligibility depends on age or disability. If you’re over 66 years old, you’re eligible for the Older Person’s Freedom Pass. This aligns with the state pension age, so once you reach that milestone, you can apply through your local London borough.

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If you have one of the types of disability specified in the Transport Act 2000, you qualify for a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass. This includes people who are:

• Blind or partially sighted
• Profoundly or severely deaf
• Without speech
• Have a significant learning disability
• Have a physical disability that substantially affects their ability to walk

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Even if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria set out in the act, you might still qualify for a discretionary Freedom Pass from your borough council if your circumstances warrant it.

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Where Can You Use the Freedom Pass?

Your Freedom Pass gives you free travel across almost all of London's transport network:

• London buses – every bus, in all boroughs
• The Tube – all lines, all zones
• The Elizabeth line – including out to Heathrow
• London Overground and the DLR
• Trams across south London
• National Rail within Greater London, as long as your journey stays inside the London boundary

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On the river you can also get a discount on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, and the Woolwich Ferry is free.

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The New Rules for the Freedom Pass

There is now a weekday morning restriction that applies to the Freedom Pass for older people: free travel is no longer available between 4:30am and 9:00am, Monday to Friday on TfL services. However, please note that this does not apply to the Disabled Person's Pass, which can still be used at any time.

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Renewals are now automatic. Most pass holders no longer need to reapply - a replacement is posted before your current pass expires, and you should destroy the old one when it arrives. Just keep your address up to date so it reaches you!

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Can I Use the Freedom Pass to Go to the Airport?

• ‍Heathrow is covered: the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line to Heathrow are both TfL services, so your pass takes you to the terminals for free. However, you can't use your Freedom Pass on the Heathrow Express.
  
• London City Airport is also covered when you travel on the DLR.
• Stansted and Luton sit outside the Freedom Pass boundary. You can travel free to the edge of London, but you will then need to buy a ticket for the rest.
• You can use your London Freedom Pass on the Gatwick Express as long as you purchase an extension ticket between Coulsdon South and Gatwick Airport. Travel is only valid after 9.30am on weekdays (until 4.30am), and at any time at the weekend or on public holidays.

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What About People Living Outside London?

If you live outside the capital, you won’t be eligible for the London Freedom Pass — but don’t worry. Many local councils across England offer concessionary bus passes that provide free off-peak bus travel, similar to the benefits enjoyed by Londoners.

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How to Apply

Applications are made through your borough council, and you’ll need to provide proof of address and eligibility (such as age or disability documentation). Each council’s website offers clear instructions and forms to help you apply online or by post.