Kids go free

Up to three kids aged 11 and under can travel for free on Metro and the Shields Ferry, all day, every day when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. The same applies on buses in the region during school holidays.

Kids go free

Kids go free in the North East!

Unlock unforgettable family adventures in the region, with fantastic value family travel.

Kids go free all day every day on Metro and the Shields Ferry, and in school holiday times on buses, with up to three children going free with a fare paying adult.

The fare-paying adult must be aged 18 or over and in possession of a valid ticket or validated smartcard. The accompanying children don’t need to have a ticket.

When using Metro stations with gates speak to a customer service advisor who will provide you with access into and out of the station using the wide access gate. For safety reasons please do not attempt to use the gate without staff assistance at the same time as the child or children you’re travelling with.

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Fantastic family adventures by bus

Kids go free on local bus services operating within County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland during the school holidays. Dates for the diary:

23 May 2026 – 31 May 2026

18 July 2026 – 20 August 2026

Make the most of the Kids Go Free offer by heading for a fun day out.

Save up to 25% on entry to top North East attractions

Travel by bus, rail, Metro, or the Shields Ferry – or a combination! At the venue, show show your paper or digital ticket, your journey transaction (if you’ve used contactless to tap on and tap off), or your pass.

Many participating venues offer 25% off their admission fee. In cases where entry is free, some venues offer a 10% discount in their shop and/or cafe.

Days out by bus

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Kids Go Free terms and conditions

Valid tickets on Metro

Metro Single
Metro Day Ticket
Adult Transfare
Metro Season Ticket
Student Metro Season Ticket
18 and Under Metro Season Ticket *
Corporate Metro Season Ticket
Pop PAYG
Pop 19-21
Pop blue**
Metro Gold Card
Network One Anytime ticket
Network One Adult Day Rover
Network One Adult Explorer
Network One University of Sunderland ticket
Network One Students and Young People Ticket*
Magpie Mover
*provided the ticket holder is aged 18 or over; proof of age may be requested
**provided the Pop blue card holder is aged 18 or over; proof of age may be requested

Terms and conditions apply.

Participating bus services

Please see a list below of all the services that are participating in the Kids Go Free offer:

Arriva – All services
City Transport Group – Services 700/701
Gateshead Central Taxis – All services
Go North East – All services
JH Coaches – 37
Northstar – 599, 643, 939
Stagecoach – all services
Stanley Travel – 30/31, R5
Weardale – 725, 9, 84/85/95/96, 99, 101/101A/102, 108/109, 111, 763/764/765/773, 84 (Crook Town Service)

Please note: Some service exclusions apply, including Toon tour, match day services, Scholars services, Whitby P&R, Dales bus and Moors bus.

Services operated by Borders Buses, Glen Valley Tours, Liberty Coaches, Peter Hogg, Wood’s Taxis and Telford’s Coaches are not currently part of the Kids Go Free scheme.