Next month we're visiting London for the weekend with our son, the last time he came he was 4 so travelled on the tube for free and we just took him through the family gate with our oyster cards no problem.

Now however he's almost 6 we're supposed to pay for him to travel. He's (probably) too big to get away with just smuggling him through and saying he's 4.

There's no point getting him his own oyster card or anything like that. Or do they do a special one for children? Is he supposed to be swiping the card himself and walking through on his own? I get older children being able to do it, but having a 5yo faffing around trying to swipe in a busy station seems like it's going to be a nightmare.

Would we be better just to get a taxi?

Edit: Thanks, everyone. I didn't realise that the tubes are free until 11. I thought it was 5. Panic over.