Kids Go Free — Free Bus Travel for Ages 5–15 All August

Overview

Throughout August 2026, every child aged 5 to 15 in England travels free on participating local buses — unlimited journeys, no registration, nothing to sign up for. The government is funding the scheme with over £100 million as part of its summer cost-of-living support, after a successful pilot in the West of England.

A family with two children making a weekly return trip at a £1.50 child fare saves around £27 over the month — more if you use buses for days out.

How to Claim

1. Nothing to register — kids aged 5–15 just hop on a participating bus between 1 and 31 August
2. Tap the 'Get This Offer' button to read the official announcement
3. Check your local council or bus operator's website to confirm your routes are taking part

Requirements

• Child aged 5–15
• England only (under-5s already travel free everywhere; London under-16s already travel free on TfL buses)
• A participating local bus service

Important Terms

• Runs 1–31 August 2026 only
• Participating services only — most local operators are expected to take part, but there's no single national list, so check with your operator or council before a long trip
• Unlimited journeys during the month

Tips

• Pair it with free or cheap days out — the bus fare is often half the cost of a family outing
• In London, kids under 16 already travel free on buses year-round with a Zip card where needed
• If a driver is unsure, the scheme is the national 'Kids Go Free' August scheme — it needs no pass or voucher