The offer, part of UK Government's Great British Summer of Savings campaign, applies on participating local bus services across England, with all major bus operators in Hampshire taking part, including Stagecoach, Go South Coast and First Bus.
Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said: "Hampshire has an extensive bus network linking our cities, towns and many visitor attractions, including popular countryside destinations. People may be surprised by how many places they can reach by bus, and journeys can be planned easily online.
“Free travel for children and young people, alongside the £3 fare cap for adults, makes bus travel an affordable and convenient option for family days out during the summer holidays. Every pound saved can make a real difference at a time when household budgets are often stretched.
“We also want to encourage more people to discover the benefits of travelling by bus and make it part of their everyday routine. That's why we are continuing to invest in year-round improvements, including faster, more frequent and reliable services, alongside the infrastructure needed to support them.”
The offer opens up a wide range of destinations across Hampshire and beyond, from historic cities and market towns to countryside attractions, coastal resorts, museums and family-friendly attractions.
To plan a bus journey visit: Summer Savings - Cost of Living Help. A selection of destination ideas include:
North Hampshire
• Basingstoke – Festival Place shopping centre, Willis Museum, Sainsbury Gallery and Basingstoke Leisure Park.
• Alton – Jane Austen's House, the Watercress Line heritage railway, Chawton House and traditional market town charm.
• Farnborough & Aldershot – Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum, St Michael's Abbey, Aldershot Military Museum and Princes Hall Theatre.
• Whitchurch & Laverstoke – Whitchurch Silk Mill and countryside walks including the Watership Down area.
Test Valley
• Romsey – Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey Abbey, Broadlands, King John's House and the town's popular markets.
• Andover – The Lights theatre, Museum of the Iron Age, Finkley Down Farm, and nearby lakes and nature reserves.
• Stockbridge – Attractive Test Valley villages and riverside walks.
Winchester & South Downs
• Winchester – Winchester Cathedral, The Great Hall, Science Centre, city-centre shopping, museums and entertainment.
• Winchester’s City Mill marks an official gateway to the South Downs National Park
Southampton & Eastleigh
• Southampton – SeaCity Museum, the Titanic Trail, Southampton City Art Gallery and Westquay shopping centre.
• Eastleigh & Hedge End – Swan Centre shopping, markets, cinema and major retail parks.
• Hamble & Netley – Waterside villages, marina views and the historic Netley Abbey.
New Forest & Waterside
• Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Lymington – New Forest villages, independent shops, cycling and walking routes, coastal views and waterfront attractions.
• Hythe & Calshot – Seafront walks, watersports, beaches, Calshot Outdoor Centre & Calshot Castle.
South Coast
• Portsmouth & Southsea – links to Historic Dockyard, Gunwharf Quays, Spinnaker Tower from The Hard Interchange, Southsea Castle, the D-Day Story and the seafront.
• Gosport – Royal Navy Submarine Museum, HMS Alliance and Gosport Ferry connections.
Nearby destinations beyond Hampshire
Salisbury – Salisbury Cathedral, Old Sarum, museums and historic city centre.
Chichester – Cathedral city, Festival Theatre, Roman walls and independent shopping.
Bournemouth – Beaches, pier attractions, museums, waterfronts and coastal leisure activities.
Reading, Guildford and Newbury – Major shopping, museums, parks and cultural attractions.