sixth Aug 2025
Studying Time: 6 minutes
As college time looms within the coming weeks, many new and present college students will likely be interested by one of the simplest ways to get round. A scholar finances means working a automotive is prohibitively costly – to not point out scholar housing typically has no parking.
We’ve rounded up a number of the finest methods to journey at no cost and low cost as a scholar to ensure you’re not blowing the finances on taxis on a regular basis!
Strolling
The obvious selection, but in addition the free one! Strolling all over the place is an effective way to remain match as a scholar, 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 footwear. Search for strolling guides too – you’ll typically uncover shortcuts that you just wouldn’t learn about with out native information. Whenever you first arrive in your college city or metropolis, discover out if there’s a free strolling tour: it’s an effective way to be taught the historical past of your city, whereas additionally attending to know the realm!
Bear in mind to go away 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 shortly you’ll be able to stroll. You might also end up bumping into individuals you recognize, stopping to talk, and getting sidetracked!
Strolling security suggestions
✅ Attempt 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’ll be able to keep conscious of your environment
✅ In the event you get sore knees, hips, or ft from strolling a lot, take a break from strolling. Persevering with on an damage may 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 choose up a second-hand bicycle on websites like Fb Market, Gumtree, and eBay. Nevertheless, in the event you do that, ensure you take it for a full service earlier than you begin driving it, to ensure it’s protected to make use of.
If you wish to cycle for longer distances, or rise up hills with out shedding your breath, take into account an electrical bicycle. They’re comparatively low cost to run, however imply you’ll be able to cycle far longer than with out the battery help.
For college students who’ve a protracted approach to journey, quite a bit 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 larger than a normal bicycle, round £1900, nevertheless if 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 steady, making it safer on the street (with extra street presence, too), and baskets on the entrance or again imply you’ll be able to carry your books, groceries and anything with out strapping them to your again and making an attempt to steadiness your method residence!
Try our detailed Jorvik Tricycles product overview for extra particulars.
Biking security suggestions
✅ All the time get a second-hand bike serviced earlier than you journey it. You can even discover ways to do that your self from YouTube movies.
✅ ALWAYS put on a helmet when driving your bike, be certain that 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’ll be able to go. Give different automobiles a large berth and ensure you be taught (and use!) hand indicators when turning.
✅ Don’t hold luggage in your handlebars, it creates a harmful imbalance. Use a storage basket, backpack, or get a tricycle with a rack on the again!
Prepare Journey
One approach to maintain your dwelling prices down as a scholar 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, until you reside in a metropolis with a late-night transport community with trams, evening Tubes, and buses.
Prepare journey also can turn into pricey in the event you don’t get scholar reductions in your fares. Apply for a 16-25 Railcard (or a 26-30 railcard in the event you’re an older scholar) to get a 3rd off prepare fares – or search for a scholar checking account that features one free, as a bonus. There will be restrictions on railcards, equivalent to not getting used for season tickets, so at all times be certain that the ticket you’re shopping for along with your card is legitimate earlier than you board the prepare, in any other case you could be charged a full fare!
When you have a TOTUM card (previously an NUS card) for scholar reductions, you too can 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).
All the time have a backup plan in case trains are cancelled, equivalent to a carry 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 prepare fare suggestions
✅ Journey off peak each time you’ll be able to 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 – preferrred for when it’s time to go to residence for a weekend.
✅ Disabled college students can apply for a Disabled Particular person’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 buddy.
Low cost Bus, Tram, and Coach Journey
The bus is the most affordable type of public transport, though it does imply it is advisable depend on their timetables. This may be tough if in case you have very early lectures, a protracted approach 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!). Pupil fares differ between bus corporations, so ensure you have the related app for the bus firm that serves your space. You’ll want a scholar ID on you to ensure it’s a legitimate ticket, too.
You may declare 25% off Nationwide Specific coaches too, which make it less expensive to get across the nation to see family and friends on a good scholar 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 lowered 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 suggestions
✅ Season tickets supply an even bigger low cost in the event you journey nearly day by day
✅ Test your native authority for low cost passes or details about discounted scholar journey in your space
✅ E book advance tickets on-line for coaches and longer bus journeys to get even cheaper fares
✅ Bear in mind: timetables can change, and providers will be stopped resulting from climate or different issues; at all times have a backup transport choice.