Moneymagpie Group
sixth Aug 2025
Studying Time: 6 minutes
As college time looms within the coming weeks, many new and current college students shall be fascinated with one of the simplest ways to get round. A scholar finances means operating 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 free of charge and low-cost as a scholar 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 in all places is an effective way to remain match as a scholar, though it will probably have its drawbacks in case your college campus could be very huge or scattered across the metropolis.
Put money into a good pair of trainers to stroll in – your toes, 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 information. Once you first arrive in your college city or metropolis, discover out if there’s a free strolling tour: it’s an effective way to study the historical past of your city, whereas additionally attending to know the realm!
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 visitors, it’s straightforward to underestimate how shortly you’ll be able to stroll. You may additionally end up bumping into individuals you realize, stopping to speak, and getting sidetracked!
Strolling security suggestions
✅ Strive to not stroll alone; particularly at night time
✅ Plan your route earlier than you set off, and stroll in well-lit areas at night time
✅ 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’ll be able to keep conscious of your environment
✅ Should you get sore knees, hips, or toes from strolling a lot, take a break from strolling. Persevering with on an damage 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 enable the time strolling takes. It’s straightforward to choose up a second-hand bicycle on websites like Fb Market, Gumtree, and eBay. Nevertheless, for those who 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 dropping your breath, think about 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 kids who’ve an extended approach to journey, lots to hold to lectures, or have restricted mobility meaning a bicycle is out of the query: think about an electrical tricycle like these by Jorvik Tricycles. The preliminary funding is larger than a typical bicycle, round £1900, nevertheless once 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 highway (with extra highway 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 approach house!
Take a look at our detailed Jorvik Tricycles product evaluation for extra particulars.
Biking security suggestions
✅ At all times get a second-hand bike serviced earlier than you trip it. You can too learn 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 visitors extra however this implies drivers might not be conscious how briskly you’ll be able to go. Give different vehicles a large berth and be sure you study (and use!) hand indicators when turning.
✅ Don’t cling 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 stay additional away and commute in for lectures and occasions. This could get in the best way of your social life, nevertheless, except you reside in a metropolis with a late-night transport community with trams, night time Tubes, and buses.
Prepare journey may 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 may be restrictions on railcards, resembling not getting used for season tickets, so all the time ensure the ticket you’re shopping for together with your card is legitimate earlier than you board the practice, in any other case you is likely to be charged a full fare!
You probably 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).
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 suggestions
✅ Journey off peak every time you’ll be able to to get cheaper fares.
✅ Get a railcard and ensure your ticket is legitimate together 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 – perfect for when it’s time to go to house for a weekend.
✅ Disabled college students can apply for a Disabled Particular person’s Railcard which additionally provides 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 cost effective type of public transport, though it does imply you could depend on their timetables. This may be tough if in case you have very early lectures, an extended 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!). Scholar fares differ between bus corporations, 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 verify it’s a legitimate ticket, too.
You’ll be able to declare 25% off Nationwide Specific coaches toowhich 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 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 provide an even bigger low cost for those who journey nearly every day
✅ Test your native authority for low cost passes or details about discounted scholar journey in your space
✅ Ebook 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.
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