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Here's how kids can travel on buses for free this August

Here's how kids can travel on buses for free this August

Under 16s can travel free on most local buses in England throughout August, helping families save on summer days out.

Father and daughter travel by train and get to know the country they see from the window.

Getty/SimpleImages

MadeForMums

Published: August 4, 2026 at 3:23 PM

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Families looking to keep the cost of summer holidays down have a new way to save this month, with free bus travel now available for children across most of England.

From 1 August until 31 August 2026, children aged 5 to 15 can travel free on most local bus services, making it cheaper for families to visit beaches, museums, parks and attractions during the school holidays.

The offer is part of the government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, which also includes discounts on children's meals, cinema and theatre tickets, and entry to selected family attractions.

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Who can get free bus travel?

The free travel offer applies to children aged 5 to 15 travelling on most local bus services in England throughout August.

According to the Department for Transport, thousands of routes operated by companies including First Bus, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead are taking part.

Child bus fares typically cost between £1 and £2, so families making multiple journeys over the summer could see meaningful savings.

Where could families go?

The government has highlighted a range of family-friendly destinations that can be reached by participating bus routes, including:

The York Dungeon via the X46 from Hull to York.
Windsor Great Park and Windsor Castle on the Carousel 37 from High Wycombe.
The National Space Centre via the 54 bus from Leicester.
Brighton seafront, Brighton Pier and The Lanes using the Coaster 12, Regency 28 or Breeze 77.
Merrivale Model Village via the X1 and X11 from Norwich to Great Yarmouth.
Woodgate Valley Country Park near Birmingham on the 23 or 24 bus, where families can enjoy pony trekking, cycling and the Urban Farm.

England has thousands of world-class attractions and eateries that families shouldn't have to miss out on this summer because of the cost-of-living squeeze.

James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury

Families can also travel on Birmingham's famous number 11 service, Europe's longest bus route, which connects with Cadbury World, where discounted entry is also available through the summer savings scheme.

What other summer savings are available?

The free bus travel is just one part of the Great British Summer Savings initiative.

Portrait of Mother and Children in a City Bus

Getty/Yasser Chalid

The government says families can also access discounts on:

Children's meals at participating restaurants.
Children's cinema and theatre tickets.
Tickets to selected attractions including theme parks, adventure centres and soft play venues.

To help parents find offers nearby, the government has launched an interactive online tool that shows participating restaurants and attractions by postcode.

What has the government said?

Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said the scheme is designed to help families manage the cost of summer activities: "We're giving families room to breathe from the cost-of-living squeeze. With free bus travel for 5 to 15-year olds and discounts on kids' meals at restaurants, cinema tickets and theme parks, we're helping people make the most of the time they have together for the school holidays. Not only are we lowering costs for the summer, the £2 bus fare cap will help all passengers get to where they need to for less."

James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said the aim was to make family days out more affordable.

"From soft play and theatres to fish and chip shops and cafes, England has thousands of world-class attractions and eateries that families shouldn't have to miss out on this summer because of the cost-of-living squeeze. To provide families with some breathing space, getting the kids there by bus will be completely free from today for the rest of the month, and we've cut VAT on kids' meals in restaurants and tickets to attractions, so this summer holiday is one to remember," he says.

Rob Parkinson, Chief Executive of the Family Holiday Charity, also welcomed the announcement.

"For many families the cost of getting out and about can make quality time together feel less accessible. We welcome the commitment that wherever possible children will travel for free on public transport this summer, and look forward to hearing how the Great British Summer Savings initiative has unlocked new experiences for families throughout the UK," he says.

What happens after August?

The free children's bus travel offer runs until 31 August 2026.

The government has also confirmed that a nationwide £2 cap on bus fares in England is due to begin in January, with the aim of reducing travel costs for millions of passengers beyond the summer holidays.

The savings don't stop after the summer either - the government has introduced policies like cheaper school uniforms and free breakfast clubs to help families save when the school year starts, too.

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