So, my kids (both under 11) will be free on the Tube. But how do we get them through the barriers? Will the gate open long enough for both of us to pass through? Is there any trick to this?

[Here in DC, the trick on the Metro is to use the gates which accomodate wheelchairs, as they are not only wider (allowing parent and child to walk through together), but they stay open a bit longer (so you can push a stroller through)]

http://www.londontoolkit.com/briefing/underground.htm

Not done it, but sure that the staff at the stations will tell you what to do.

There's a gate that's manned (usually at the end)and your kids use that instead of a turnstile. You still have to swipe your Oystercard but go through the gate with them.

The kids can also get child passes (takes about a month and you have to send photos). This would enable them to travel without an adult.

There is always a member of staff on duty when the barriers are in use, so they can tell you what to do. If there are no staff on duty (which is common at quiet times, especially at suburban stations), the barriers are left open: you should still swipe your Oyster card, but children can just walk through.

Thanks for all the responses!

Seriously, is this something you're actually worried about? Last check, the Brits have kids (highest teen pregnant rate in Europe!) and they can handle taking the tykes on the Tube -- it's not like they dwarf-toss junior over the barriers and hope for the best.

>>it's not like they dwarf-toss junior over the barriers and hope for the best.<<

You'd be surprised......

But seriously, OP has a point: there are gates on the Paris metro that strike me as seriously child-unfriendly, particularly for a harassed parent with more than one grumpy toddler to cope with.

Jheez, BigRuss, I didn't say "How in the hell can anyone do it (because it seems impossible)?", I asked "How is it done?" It's not like it's keeping me up nights.

Just a thought don't forget them once on the tube, I had to remind two american mother last year that the kids were still away in their minds while mom was stepping off

I like the dwarf toss idea.

>>it's not like they dwarf-toss junior over the barriers and hope for the best.<<

Spewed coffee on the screen, I did.

ha!
sap, were you speaking 'yoda' because dwarf was mentioned?

Sassy, clever you are. One can always count on the Fodorites to be amazingly astute.

Seriously (or rather not), BigRuss and some of these guys are constantly cracking me up. I need to remember to read these posts on my old laptop or I'm gonna ruin my new keyboard.