The Free TfL Baby on Board Badge: How to Order One, Where to Collect It and the New Babies on Board Design (London)

A small badge can make a busy journey easier for an expecting parent. Transport for London (TfL) gives out the ‘Baby on Board’ badge free of charge, and in March 2026 it added a ‘Babies on Board’ design for those expecting twins or more. This guide draws on TfL’s own badge, priority seating and press release pages. It covers London only; other transport operators in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements. For other journey planning, see the guide to train travel with a baby.

What the badge is for

TfL describes the Baby on Board badge as a way to let other passengers know that you have a very good reason to need a seat. The March 2026 press release calls it a visual cue that encourages people to offer their seat, and says it supports those who may feel awkward about asking a fellow passenger to give up a seat while pregnant. TfL also uses the anniversary to remind all customers to look up when they travel and to offer their seat to anyone who may need it more, and it displays posters across the network encouraging people to give up their seats.

TfL launched the badge in March 2006 after a trial in summer 2005, following a study which found that pregnant customers were made to stand for an average of five stops before being offered a seat. In March 2026 TfL marked 20 years of the badge and said more than 80,000 are given out for free each year.

How to order a badge

TfL says a badge can be ordered free of charge through the form on its Baby on Board page, or by calling Customer Services on 0343 222 1234. It is delivered in a plain envelope. TfL asks for one badge per customer and says the badges are not for resale. Anyone who loses a badge can ask for a single replacement.

The details TfL asks for are name, email and a postal address, and the form includes an optional tick-box to receive offers and promotions. TfL states that personal information is used to administer the order, to provide travel information and for customer research. It is sensible to leave the marketing box unticked if offers are not wanted.

Where to collect one in person

The TfL page says a badge can also be collected from the TfL Visitor Centres or from London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, at the ticket desk or museum shop. The press release names Visitor Centres at King’s Cross St Pancras, Liverpool Street and Victoria stations. It also says expecting parents can pick up both versions of the badge, and leaflets, at John Lewis stores in London following an All Things Baby appointment, as part of a partnership that has run since 2024.

The Babies on Board badge

The Babies on Board badge, launched in March 2026, is designed for people expecting twins, triplets or other multiple births and uses a plural version of the classic design. TfL says it can be ordered or collected alongside the single badge.

TfL says it will shortly launch a partnership with UNIQLO under which the badge designs can be added as embroidery to bags, jackets, T-shirts and knitwear through the RE.UNIQLO Studio service at several London stores. TfL calls the idea a great gift for people who are expecting. The guide to choosing baby gift sets has other ideas.

Where it works and what else helps

The press release describes the badges as helping to encourage people to offer their seat on busy buses, the Tube, trains and trams. TfL also lists priority seating across all types of transport, and says distinctive priority seat designs are in place on many Tube and London Overground services. A newer design is being introduced on new DLR and Piccadilly line trains and on refurbished Central line, Waterloo & City line and Elizabeth line trains. TfL runs an annual Priority Seating Week to raise awareness of priority seats.

A separate free ‘Please offer me a seat’ badge and card exists for people who struggle to stand, and TfL says it works on the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line, buses, DLR, trams and River Services.

FAQs

Is the Baby on Board badge free?

Yes. TfL gives it out free of charge, with one badge per customer.

Can I get the badge without ordering online?

Yes. TfL says it can be ordered by phone on 0343 222 1234, or collected from TfL Visitor Centres or the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.

What does the badge do?

TfL calls it a visual cue that alerts other passengers to the need for a seat and encourages them to offer one on busy services.

The bottom line

TfL’s free Baby on Board badge costs nothing, can be ordered online or by phone or collected from Visitor Centres, the London Transport Museum or John Lewis stores in London, and now comes in a Babies on Board design for multiples. It acts as a visual cue that encourages other passengers to offer a seat. Checking TfL’s page before ordering confirms the current delivery and collection details.

Sources

• Baby on board badge (tfl.gov.uk)
• TfL marks 20 years of ‘Baby on Board’ badges with new ‘Babies on Board’ design, 23 March 2026 (tfl.gov.uk)
• Please offer me a seat (tfl.gov.uk)