Travel can be a significant expense for students in the UK. The costs can add up quickly, whether commuting to and from university or visiting family. While there are no specific grants for student travel beyond the Maintenance Loan, there are numerous ways to save. This article focuses on travel within the UK, providing tips and resources to help students reduce their travel expenses.
Save money on travel as a student
Student discounts on UK trains
Student discount on UK coaches
Keep travel costs in mind when choosing your accommodation and university
Student Discount Cards
UK-based students enjoy the benefit of discount cards from the very first day of university up to graduation. Several platforms offer amazing deals for students, which can help you save on the cost of everyday travel to classes and events and, beyond that, to travel within the country. The cards often overlap in discounts, with some offering better deals than others depending on the season and availability. Therefore, shopping around to see which card has the best deals for you is beneficial.
TOTUM offers incredible discounts on various travel options, from trains to planes—the brand partners with Qatar Airways, Expedia, Booking.com, National Express, and many more. So whether you want to book a summer breakaway or find accommodation for trips around the UK, TOTUM will help you secure great discounts and low rates.
Though UNiDAYS is mainly known for its retail discounts, it also discounts travel-related expenses. Offering a whopping 40% discount on LNER (London North Eastern Railway) tickets during July of 2024, it’s evident that the few discounts they offer on travel are great deals.
If you’re looking for a wide variety of travel discounts, StudentBeans has it. Not only do they offer student discounts on air travel and national coaches, but they also offer much-needed travel insurance. With travel insurance from the Post Office and bike insurance from cycleGuard, you can be confident that you’ll be protected against unforeseen circumstances on your daily commute and international travel.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
The ISIC card stands out from other student discount cards as it is internationally recognised. As a UK-based student, you can access student offers worldwide, making the card ideal for international travel. Offering hundreds of deals in countries such as the USA, New Zealand, Taiwan, and many more, travelling abroad has never been easier for students.
Student discounts on UK trains
Taking the train in the UK is easily one of the most efficient ways for students to travel. However, high ticket prices often make saving on national travel and travel to certain European countries difficult. Unknown to some, there is always a way to ensure you get the lowest ticket price possible. StudyInn also provides excellent student guides to public transport in cities like Leicester to help you find your way around quickly and efficiently.
Digital Railcard
Purchasing a digital railcard on Trainline means you save 1/3 off train travel on eligible fares. You can buy your railcard on Trainline or other select student discount websites like StudentBeans.
Ticket splitting
Always check if you can get a Split Fare ticket. This means rather than buying one ticket to your desired destination, you buy two or more tickets where the trip is not direct.
Student discounts
If you travel on the same route more often than not, you may find that the rail companies you use offer student discounts. For example, Cross Country Trains partnered with TOTUM to offer an additional 10% discount (on top of the Railcard discount) on Advance Trains for students.
Season tickets
Purchasing a season ticket from National Rail if you usually use the same route can also help you save. Season tickets can be purchased weekly, monthly, or annually, giving you unlimited travel access between particular stations.
Oyster Card
If you travel a lot within London, getting an Oyster Card can be immensely beneficial. With the card, you can save during off-peak hours and pay as you go on a capped fare. Additionally, you can use the 18+ student Oyster Card to get 30% off on Travelcards and Bus and Tram Passes if enrolled as a student in London.
Student discount on UK coaches
Travelling by coach is an excellent option for students, as coach travel is usually much cheaper than train travel. National Express, one of the largest coach operators in the UK, offers a 15% discount on fares with a TOTUM card.
Similarly, Megabus, known for its budget-friendly tickets, offers a 10% discount for TOTUM cardholders. These discounts make it easier for students to travel between cities for less and get directly to plenty of universities.
Student discount on UK buses
Many bus companies offer excellent student discounts that can go the extra mile if you also use seasonal tickets. Consider getting a travel pass to max out your savings on bus travel. With one, you’ll avoid paying individual fares if you take the bus more often than not.
First Bus operates in many cities across the UK, including Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, and more. It offers up to 20% off buses for students across the West of England and special fares that vary by season and location.
Operating in plenty of cities across the UK, Stagecoach offers great student bus tickets. You can get unlimited travel within your area of choice when you use the student rates.
Learner driver discounts
Learning to drive and achieving your license can be expensive, but many driving schools and insurance companies offer special rates for students.
As of July 2024, PassMeFast offers up to £175 off on all their intensive driving courses for students.
Marmalade specialises in car insurance for learner and young drivers, offering competitive rates and flexible policies tailored to them. With several options, like their weekly student car insurance and learner driver insurance, there’s a way to cut costs.
Some driving schools also extend discounts for CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) for moped tests, making it more affordable to get on the road.
Keep travel costs in mind when choosing your accommodation and university
- Finding accommodation near your university campus will help keep travel costs down since you could rather walk, bike or take a scooter to class.
- Investing in a bike is an excellent idea if your accommodation offers bicycle storage. This will help you keep travel costs down in the long run.
- Study Inn offers luxury student accommodation within walking distance from the universities it is close to. For example, Talbot Street Nottingham is a two-minute walk from Nottingham Trent University’s business campus.
- As a student, it’s crucial to save money where you can and have an enjoyable university experience. Reading about the most affordable student cities in the UK where you can achieve both goals can be helpful.
Other tips
Considering that travelling smart can significantly reduce your overall expenses at university, it is essential to utilise other strategies beyond student discount cards. Travel expert Emma Jackson urges travellers to “forget driving and instead, just use your feet”. This is a great way to reduce travel costs while exploring the UK significantly. Here are some practical tips to help you further reduce your travel costs:
· Book in Advance: Travel tickets – especially for national trains – are often cheaper when booked early.
· Shop Around: Compare prices with different transport providers even if you already have a discount with one.
· Check the Terms and Conditions: Ensure your travel ticket covers the correct travel time to avoid being charged a fine for travelling outside the permitted time.
· Travel Off-Peak: Off-peak and split tickets are usually cheaper than on-peak tickets.
· London TFL Student Travel Options: Take advantage of travel discounts specifically in London, such as daily capping and the Hopper fare.
· In addition to discounts, grab freebies: Many product and service providers offer plenty, so you can save even more than with discounts alone.
Saving money on travel as a student requires a bit of research and planning, but the savings can be substantial. By utilising discount cards, taking advantage of special offers, and choosing your accommodation wisely, you can significantly reduce your travel expenses and make the most of your time as a student in the UK. Our accommodation makes for an excellent choice for saving on daily travel. With luxury student accommodation in several cities, staying at Study Inn means your walk to campus is guaranteed to be short.
