Fares and discounts
East Sussex bus fares
From 1 February 2026, the reduced fares we offered under the East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) will no longer be available.
Most single journeys will still cost £3 or less, under the Government’s current national fare cap. We continue to work with local bus companies to keep fares low.
See routes with a £3 cap: GOV.UK - £3 national bus fare cap – South East operators and routes.
Bus fares are set by a combination of:
- central government policy
- commercial bus companies
- local council transport authorities.
To find the best fare for your journey, contact the bus company.
Young people and students
Which bus ticket do I need?
This will depend on your age, where you are going and how often you travel. See bus routes, services and timetables on the East Sussex bus map.
Check with the bus company before you travel.
East Sussex Freedom weekly ticket
The Freedom weekly ticket provides unlimited bus travel on all bus services in East Sussex for under 19s. Buy from the bus driver with proof of age.
Please note: From Monday 16 February 2026, the cost of this ticket will change to £20 for seven days of unlimited travel (currently £15).
Bus company offers
Bus companies in East Sussex have their own fare offers, check which is best for you:
Proof of age
3i-D card and Yoti digital ID (11-19 year olds)
3i-D gives you:
- proof of age as part of the PASS national proof of age scheme.
- discounts on some bus fares in East Sussex.
- digital ID on your phone, via the Yoti mobile app.
Who can use a 3i-D card?
Young people aged 11-19 who who live, study, train or work in East Sussex.
How to apply
School and college students can apply online, if their school code is listed here. Schools not listed will accept paper applications.
If you are not a student, you can apply using a paper application at any East Sussex library.
Find out more and apply: 3i-D card - CitizenCard.
| School or college | Code | School or college | Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK Alexandra | HEL4A0 | Lewes Old Grammar | LEW054 | |
| Beacon Academy | BEAC6E | Owlswick School | OWL9EE | |
| Bennett Memorial | BEN5C1 | Peacehaven CS | PEAEAD | |
| Bexhill Academy | BEXE30 | Priory School | PRI2E3 | |
| Bexhill College | BEXA06 | Ratton School | RATCBC | |
| BHASVIC | BRI9C8 | Robertsbridge CC | ROB9E6 | |
| Cavendish School | Paper apps | Rye College | Use library | |
| Chailey School | CHA2AD | Sackville School | SAC4A0 | |
| Claverham CC | CLAAC5 | Saxon Mount School | Paper apps | |
| Didac Eastbourne | DIDA53 | Seaford Head School | SEA4FE | |
| Eastbourne Academy | Paper apps | Seahaven Academy | SEA48F | |
| East Sussex College | SUS468 | St Catherine’s College | STCFC8 | |
| Hailsham CC | HAI24D | St Leonard’s Academy | THE7B5 | |
| Gildredge House | GIL6E2 | St Mary’s School | STM86B | |
| Hadlow College | HAD231 | The Turing School | TURI74 | |
| Hastings Academy | THEA25 | Uckfield CTC | UCK4C6 | |
| Hazel Court School | HAZ7A6 | Uplands CC | UPL80F | |
| Heathfield CC | HEA63F | Vardean College | VAR3A5 | |
| Homewood School | HOM62A | Willingdon CS | WIL39C | |
| King’s Academy Ringmer | RINA49 |
East Sussex Age Verification app (up to 30 years)
Our East Sussex Age Verification app can be used to show proof of age on the bus, using your mobile. Valid on most bus services that start or end in the East Sussex County Council area, with the first trip of the day starting in East Sussex.
Who can use the app?
Young people up to 29 years old. Check with your local bus company for their fare offers.
How to apply
Before you start, make sure you have:
- photo ID and proof of age (eg passport, driving licence, birth certificate)
- a passport-style photo of you
Apply now: East Sussex Age Verification app
Download the app:
- East Sussex Age Verification - App Store (Apple iOS)
- East Sussex Age Verification - Play Store (Android)
Contact us about the app
Other bus discounts
South Downs Discovery ticket
The hop on-hop off South Downs Discovery ticket gives you unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond. See South Downs National Park - Discovery ticket.
PlusBus
PlusBus lets you add a discounted bus ticket to a train ticket, saving money at either or both ends of your journey at multiple locations in the UK. See the PlusBus website.
keyGo
keyGo can be added to the Southern Railway Key Smartcard. As well as trains, it can be used on Brighton & Hove and Metro buses that start and finish in the keyGo area - keyGo - Brighton & Hove Buses.