sixth Aug 2025
Studying Time: 6 minutes
As college time looms within the coming weeks, many new and present college students can be interested by one of the simplest ways to get round. A pupil finances means working a automotive is prohibitively costly – to not point out pupil housing typically has no parking.
We’ve rounded up among the greatest methods to journey without cost and low cost as a pupil to be sure you’re not blowing the finances on taxis on a regular basis!
Strolling
The obvious selection, but additionally the free one! Strolling all over the place is a good way to remain match as a pupil, though it might probably have its drawbacks in case your college campus may be very massive or scattered across the metropolis.
Put money into a good pair of trainers to stroll in – your ft, legs, and hips will thanks for spending the additional on supportive sneakers. Search for strolling guides too – you’ll typically uncover shortcuts that you simply wouldn’t learn about with out native data. While you first arrive in your college city or metropolis, discover out if there’s a free strolling tour: it’s a good way to be taught the historical past of your city, whereas additionally attending to know the world!
Keep in mind to depart loads of time to get to your vacation spot. Whereas strolling routes are extra dependable time-wise than getting caught in site visitors, it’s simple to underestimate how rapidly you may stroll. You might also end up bumping into folks , stopping to talk, and getting sidetracked!
Strolling security ideas
✅ Strive to not stroll alone; particularly at evening
✅ Plan your route earlier than you set off, and stroll in well-lit areas at evening
✅ It’s tempting to put on headphones whilst you stroll. Attempt to maintain one out, or use bone conduction headphones just like the OpenRock X ones, which let ambient noise in so you may keep conscious of your environment
✅ Should you get sore knees, hips, or ft from strolling a lot, take a break from strolling. Persevering with on an harm might result in long-term issues
Biking
Biking is the go-to for college kids with longer distances to cowl or busier schedules that merely don’t permit the time strolling takes. It’s simple to select up a second-hand bicycle on websites like Fb Market, Gumtree, and eBay. Nevertheless, in the event you do that, be sure you take it for a full service earlier than you begin using it, to verify it’s protected to make use of.
If you wish to cycle for longer distances, or stand up hills with out shedding your breath, take into account an electrical bicycle. They’re comparatively low cost to run, however imply you may cycle far longer than with out the battery help.
For college kids who’ve an extended method to journey, loads to hold to lectures, or have restricted mobility meaning a bicycle is out of the query: take into account an electrical tricycle like these by Jorvik Tricycles. The preliminary funding is greater than a typical bicycle, round £1900, nevertheless whenever you unfold this price over three years of use, 5 days every week throughout term-time, the cost-per-use is less expensive. An electrical tricycle can also be very secure, making it safer on the street (with extra street presence, too), and baskets on the entrance or again imply you may carry your books, groceries and anything with out strapping them to your again and attempting to stability your method dwelling!
Try our detailed Jorvik Tricycles product evaluate for extra particulars.
Biking security ideas
✅ At all times get a second-hand bike serviced earlier than you trip it. You can even discover ways to do that your self from YouTube movies.
✅ ALWAYS put on a helmet when using your bike, ensure your bike lights are working earlier than you set off, and put on reflective clothes.
✅ Electrical bikes can sustain with metropolis site visitors extra however this implies drivers is probably not conscious how briskly you may go. Give different vehicles a large berth and be sure you be taught (and use!) hand indicators when turning.
✅ Don’t hold baggage in your handlebars, it creates a harmful imbalance. Use a storage basket, backpack, or get a tricycle with a rack on the again!
Practice Journey
One method to maintain your residing prices down as a pupil is to stay additional away and commute in for lectures and occasions. This could get in the way in which of your social life, nevertheless, except you reside in a metropolis with a late-night transport community with trams, evening Tubes, and buses.
Practice journey can even change into expensive in the event you don’t get pupil reductions in your fares. Apply for a 16-25 Railcard (or a 26-30 railcard in the event you’re an older pupil) to get a 3rd off practice fares – or search for a pupil checking account that features one free, as a bonus. There may be restrictions on railcards, resembling not getting used for season tickets, so all the time ensure the ticket you’re shopping for along with your card is legitimate earlier than you board the practice, in any other case you may be charged a full fare!
When you’ve got a TOTUM card (previously an NUS card) for pupil reductions, you can even declare £9 off a railcard through Trainpal.
London college students can add an 18+ photocard to their Oystercard to say 30% off Transport for London journey, together with the underground, overground, bus and Nationwide Rail (inside London).
At all times have a backup plan in case trains are cancelled, resembling a elevate share association with different college students in your class who stay close to you, so that you don’t get marked down for missed attendance to lectures.
Low-cost practice fare ideas
✅ Journey off peak every time you may to get cheaper fares.
✅ Get a railcard and ensure your ticket is legitimate along with your card earlier than you journey.
✅ Use apps like Seatfrog to get last-minute low cost tickets and first-class upgrades for longer journeys – splendid for when it’s time to go to dwelling for a weekend.
✅ Disabled college students can apply for a Disabled Individual’s Railcard which additionally offers a 3rd off the ticket value for a companion ticket, making it low cost to journey with a carer or good friend.
Low-cost Bus, Tram, and Coach Journey
The bus is the most affordable type of public transport, though it does imply you’ll want to depend on their timetables. This may be tough when you have very early lectures, an extended method to journey, or have a part-time job to commute to on shift hours, like in a nightclub or bar. Nevertheless, it’s low cost and environmentally pleasant journey (particularly on electrical buses!). Scholar fares differ between bus firms, so be sure you have the related app for the bus firm that serves your space. You’ll want a pupil ID on you to verify it’s a sound ticket, too.
You’ll be able to declare 25% off Nationwide Categorical coaches too, which make it less expensive to get across the nation to see family and friends on a decent pupil finances.
London college students with an 18+ Oystercard photocard can declare 30% off Transport for London journey – together with 30% off season tickets for bus and tram passes.
Manchester college students can declare a free System One card (as much as the age of 26) for decreased journey across the metropolis. Disabled college students could also be higher off making use of for a disabled System One card, which supplies free journey in addition to reductions on tickets, and permit them to entry discounted journey vouchers for taxis if they’re unable to stroll to make use of public transport with ease.
Low-cost bus, tram, and coach journey ideas
✅ Season tickets supply an even bigger low cost in the event you journey virtually every day
✅ Verify your native authority for low cost passes or details about discounted pupil journey in your space
✅ E book advance tickets on-line for coaches and longer bus journeys to get even cheaper fares
✅ Keep in mind: timetables can change, and companies may be stopped as a result of climate or different issues; all the time have a backup transport choice.
