Oyster for a child

[wijit]

Good evening all,
I am popping to London this weekend just for the day. My son (13) doesn't have an Oyster card and we usually just get a Travelcard. He has asked for an Oyster, but our visits are generally short notice. Is it possible to buy one for him on the day?
Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[causton]

Short answer: No, I'm afraid!

Longer answer: You can buy one online to be posted to you.

If you live in the UK, but outside London, you can order your child's 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard online and we will send the card to you, if we can verify your child's age. You, the parent/guardian, need to apply on your child's behalf.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14310.aspx#Live_outside_London


Edit: after reading the post below, of course the above is only applicable if they are bothered about getting a *child* Oyster!

 

[Be3G]

There's nothing stopping anyone – no matter whence they come – from strolling up to a ticket office and ‘buying’ (actually paying a £5 deposit for) an adult Oyster there and then. Indeed, some tube station ticket machines even dispense them now.

Also, wijit, if your son particularly wants an Oyster simply for the sake of owning one, you could consider trying to track down one of the special 150th anniversary ones as a keepsake (although they do function as perfectly normal Oyster cards). For what it's worth, Finsbury Park had a box-load a couple of weeks ago.

 

[wijit]

As I thought rally. Thank you for your replies, I suspect I will end up paying more for his journeys just so he gets that card now.
Hey-ho, such re the joys of parenthood eh? Cheers chaps!