Kids go free in the North East
Kids Go Free covers the whole North East Combined Authority – County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland during school holidays.
Applicable dates for the upcoming holidays are:
- 24 May 2025 to 1 June 2025
- 19 July 2025 to 31 August 2025
- 25 October 2025 to 2 November 2025
- 20 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
- 21 February 2026 to 1 March 2026
- 3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026
- 23 May 2026 to 31 May 2026
- Summer 2026 dates TBC
Metro and Shields Ferry allow up to three children aged 11 and under to travel for free (with a paying adult) all year round.
Save up to 25% on entry to top North East attractions when you travel by bus
Make the most of the Kids Go Free offer by heading for a fun day out.
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.
Terms and conditions
Three kids ages 11 and under can travel for free with a fare paying adult. This includes ENCTS, and excludes U22 products, student tickets and GNE's 5-25 products. All other adult tickets are acceptable.
Some service exclusions apply, including Toon tour, match day services, Scholars services, Whitby P&R, Dales bus and Moors bus.
Applicable dates for the upcoming holidays are:
o 24 May 2025 to 1 June 2025
o 19 July 2025 to 31 August 2025
o 25 October 2025 to 2 November 2025
o 20 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
o 21 February 2026 to 1 March 2026
o 3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026
o 23 May 2026 to 31 May 2026
o Summer 2026 dates TBC
Proof of age may be required to confirm the age of the children.
Participating services
Please see a list below of all the services that are participating in the Kids Go Free offer:
• Arriva - All services
• 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: 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.