Kids Go Free

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 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.

On the bus, Kids Go Free is available during school holidays:

October half term: 24 October to 1 November 2026
Christmas: 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
February half term: 13 to 21 February 2027
Easter: 26 March to 11 April 2027
May half term: 29 May to 6 June 2027
Summer: 17 July to 5 September 2027

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Discover family-friendly attractions across the North East, from Beamish and Alnwick Gardens to Tynemouth Priory and Castle.

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Kids Go Free terms and conditions

Access with gates

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.

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.