sixth Aug 2025
Studying Time: 6 minutes
As college time looms within the coming weeks, many new and current college students will probably be enthusiastic about the easiest way to get round. A scholar price range means working a automobile is prohibitively costly – to not point out scholar housing usually has no parking.
We’ve rounded up a few of the finest methods to journey totally free and low-cost as a scholar to be sure you’re not blowing the price range on taxis on a regular basis!
Strolling
The obvious alternative, but additionally the free one! Strolling all over the place is a good way to remain match as a scholar, though it may possibly have its drawbacks in case your college campus could be very huge or scattered across the metropolis.
Put money into an honest 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 usually uncover shortcuts that you simply wouldn’t find out about with out native information. 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!
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 rapidly you may stroll. You might also end up bumping into folks you realize, stopping to speak, and getting sidetracked!
Strolling security suggestions
✅ 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 when you stroll. Attempt to hold 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
✅ If you happen to 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 students 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. Nonetheless, for those who do that, be sure you take it for a full service earlier than you begin driving it, to ensure it’s secure to make use of.
If you wish to cycle for longer distances, or stand up hills with out dropping your breath, contemplate 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 students who’ve a protracted approach to journey, lots to hold to lectures, or have restricted mobility which means a bicycle is out of the query: contemplate an electrical tricycle like these by Jorvik Tricycles. The preliminary funding is increased than a typical bicycle, round £1900, nonetheless whenever you unfold this value over three years of use, 5 days per week throughout term-time, the cost-per-use is less expensive. An electrical tricycle can be very secure, making it safer on the highway (with extra highway presence, too), and baskets on the entrance or again imply you may carry your books, groceries and the rest with out strapping them to your again and making an attempt to stability your method dwelling!
Try our detailed Jorvik Tricycles product evaluation for extra particulars.
Biking security suggestions
✅ All the time get a second-hand bike serviced earlier than you journey it. You can even learn to do that your self from YouTube movies.
✅ ALWAYS put on a helmet when driving your bike, be certain 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 will not be conscious how briskly you may go. Give different vehicles a large berth and be sure you be taught (and use!) hand alerts 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!
Prepare Journey
One approach to hold your residing prices down as a scholar is to reside additional away and commute in for lectures and occasions. This will get in the best way of your social life, nonetheless, except you reside in a metropolis with a late-night transport community with trams, evening Tubes, and buses.
Prepare journey can even turn into pricey for those who don’t get scholar reductions in your fares. Apply for a 16-25 Railcard (or a 26-30 railcard for those who’re an older scholar) to get a 3rd off practice fares – or search for a scholar checking account that features one free, as a bonus. There could be restrictions on railcards, akin to not getting used for season tickets, so all the time be certain the ticket you’re shopping for along with your card is legitimate earlier than you board the practice, in any other case you is perhaps charged a full fare!
If in case you have a TOTUM card (previously an NUS card) for scholar reductions, you may as well declare £9 off a railcard through Trainpal.
London college students can add an 18+ photocard to their Oystercard to assert 30% off Transport for London journeytogether with the underground, overground, bus and Nationwide Rail (inside London).
All the time have a backup plan in case trains are cancelled, akin to a elevate share association with different college students in your class who reside close to you, so that you don’t get marked down for missed attendance to lectures.
Low cost practice fare suggestions
✅ Journey off peak at any time when 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 – supreme 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 worth 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 cost effective type of public transport, though it does imply you must depend on their timetables. This may be tough when you’ve got 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. Nonetheless, 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 scholar ID on you to ensure it’s a legitimate ticket, too.
You possibly can declare 25% off Nationwide Specific coaches toowhich make it less expensive to get across the nation to see family and friends on a decent scholar price range.
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 cardwhich 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 for those who journey virtually each day
✅ Examine 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 companies could be stopped on account of climate or different issues; all the time have a backup transport possibility.
