Student travel discounts
Whether you want to jet off for a break in the sun or travel to an interview, there’s a range of options to suit every budget.
It’s worth investigating several travel options to work out which offers the best value for money.
Consider:
- How long do you want to be travelling?
- How much do you want to spend?
- If you are travelling to an interview, would it be better to travel the night before and get a good night’s sleep? Or go on the day of the interview?
- Add up all the costs. Sometimes the cheapest ticket means you will have to spend an extra few hours waiting around. Budget for extra meals and see if this still works out cheaper than a more conveniently timed journey.
Air travel
Budget airlines have revolutionised the cost of flying in the UK. Now it’s possible to get from Glasgow to London for an interview and back again without having to spend all day travelling.
STA Travel
The student travel specialists – discounts on flights, hotels and insurance for full-time students and travellers aged under 26.
Ryanair
Ryanair operate a huge range of budget flights, both international and internal UK journeys. Hubs are London Stansted, East Midlands and Glasgow Prestwick airports, and many other UK airports are served.
easyJet
The other big-hitting budget airline has an extensive range of flights from London Luton, Gatwick and Stansted airports, with more flights leaving from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Inverness and Liverpool. Luton and Stansted are also connected to central London by the easyBus, with single fares from £2.
BMI Baby
British Midland’s budget airline currently serves Birmingham, East Midlands, London Heathrow and Manchester extensively, with other flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, Newquay and Norwich airports.
ThomsonFly
Another UK-wide budget airline with international and domestic flights from Bournemouth, Cardiff, Coventry, Doncaster Robin Hood, East Midlands, London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester and Newcastle airports.
FlyBe
Budget carrier specialising in cheap internal flights to smaller destinations such as Jersey, the Isle of Man and Southampton, with many other short-haul destinations.
Student savings
None – but you could get a flight for a fiver, so you can’t have everything.
Top tips
- The best discounts are available for early birds. If this isn’t possible (you may not get much warning for an interview) be flexible with your travel times. The cheaper flights tend to be first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
- Be sure that flying is the best option for you. If the flight times don’t tally with your interview, you may be better catching up on your interview notes on a train rather than hanging around at your destination for hours.
- Watch out for excess baggage charges and beware of extended check-in times at airports like London Heathrow due to security checks. Make sure you study what you can and can’t take on the plane before travelling, and be patient.
- Offset the CO2 emissions from your flight by planting a tree. You’ll feel better about yourself, and planet Earth will love you back. Good karma makes for good interviews. Calculate your carbon emissions at www.co2balance.com.
Rail
National Rail Enquiries
Get departure times for national rail journeys and book train tickets online.
The Trainline
Independent rail journeys site and a favourite with cash-conscious train travellers.
Student savings
A Young Person’s Railcard is a must for those aged between 16 and 25 and mature students – you’ll save 33% on all UK rail services and London Travelcards. Just £20 a year, but remember to book before you travel as Railcards cannot be used for tickets bought on trains.
Top tips
- If you’re confused by the bewildering range of tickets and prices available, browse around on The Trainline or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 to speak to a customer service assistant. That may, or may not, help…
- You may find it cheaper to book two single tickets for your journey, instead of a return. Don’t ask why; no-one knows.
Coaches
National Express
It’s the UK’s number one coach network. If you’ve never spent a night trying to sleep on a National Express coach, then you’ve never lived.
Megabus
Disturbingly cheap national coach service from Stagecoach which ferries travellers to most UK destinations with many fares starting at a pound. Yes, that’s £1. Plus a 50p booking fee. Based at London Victoria Coach Station, and so popular that a Megatrain service has even been introduced between London and Portsmouth/Southampton, book early and charge up your iPod…
Student savings
Up to 30% off National Express services with an NX2 card, only £10 for one year.
Top tips
- Try to avoid the onboard toilets...
Hotels
If you plan to stay overnight, budget hotels offer a simple, low-cost room for the night… and not much else.
Premier Travel Inn
Travel Inn offers a clean, simple room with basic facilities. You can book online and get confirmation by text.
Late Rooms
Database of rooms available at short notice.
Holiday Inn
Bed and breakfast at cheap rates.
Student savings
None.
Top tips
- If breakfast isn’t included in the room rate, factor that into any budgeting you do. The hotel is rarely the cheapest place to eat so you may want to look elsewhere to get value for money.
- Watch the locations. Travel Inns tend to be located alongside motorways, which may be handy if you are travelling by car.
- B&Bs may offer better value for money. Most tourist information centres will give you a definitive list, and can even book for you.
