Getting around London with kids
London is large and public transport is the only sensible way to cross it. Children travel free or cheaply, but step-free access is patchy, so check each station before you set off with a pushchair.
Step-free access
Transport for London says just over a third of Tube stations are step-free. Several stations families use most are not, including South Kensington for the museums and Covent Garden. All London bus routes run low-floor buses, which makes the bus the simplest option with a pushchair.
Pushchairs on buses and the Tube
On buses you can use the wheelchair space when it is free, but wheelchair users have priority by law, so you may need to fold the buggy or move. Most Tube trains have multipurpose areas suitable for buggies. The Central, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines do not.
Child fares
Children under 11 travel free on buses and trams. Up to four children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult on the Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line. For ages 11 to 15, ask staff at a Tube station to add the Young Visitor discount to an Oyster card, which gives half adult pay as you go fares for up to 14 days.
Taxis and car seats
Taxis and minicabs are not required to provide a child car seat. If there is none, UK rules let a child travel on a rear seat: aged three and over wearing an adult seat belt, under three without one. If that worries you, bring your own seat or use the train.
Heathrow to the centre
Heathrow Airport lists three rail options. The Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes and runs every 15 minutes. The Elizabeth line takes under 45 minutes, and the Piccadilly line takes just under an hour with trains every 10 minutes.
Walking and distances
Central London is mostly flat, so walking with a pushchair is easy once you are in the right neighbourhood. The distances between neighbourhoods are the problem. The zoo, for example, is a 16 minute walk from its nearest Tube station, so count that into small legs' daily total.
Checked against the operators' official pages: Oct 4, 2026