As a student living in London on a budget, transportation costs can be quite burdensome. I am sharing some tips with you for traveling around London without breaking the bank.
As your Welfare Officer, I am sharing this article to give you a few tips you'll need to be aware of when travelling around London on public transport.
London's public transport network is the biggest in the UK. Along with the world-famous London Underground network (the Tube), there's the DLR, (Docklands Light Railway), trams, the London Overground, buses, boats, countless National Rail services and even a cable car near our CU London Greenwich Campus.
One thing to be aware of is that ticket prices often vary based on whether or not you're travelling durinng peak hours.
Peak fares apply Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) between 6.30am and 9.30am, and between 4pm and 7pm.
Off-peak fares apply at all other times, as well as if you're travelling from a station outside Zone 1 to one within Zone 1 during the afternoon peak period. The peak/off-peak system applies to the Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail services in London, but not on other forms of public transport (including buses).
Top tips when travelling around London
Check your route with Citymapper
An essential for planning your routes and finding your way around London, Citymapper will be your atlas, tour guide and most reliable friend in the city.
Download Citymapper
Get some comfy shoes
Walking is the best and cheapest way to get around central London, you’ll even find that sometimes walking is faster than the tube!
All this walking can take a toll on your feet, so be kind to yourself and wear the appropriate footwear.
Save up to 30% on travel
For those journeys that take a bit longer, make sure you’re carrying your Oyster card or have your contactless card handy as some methods of transportation do not accept cash, such as London buses.
If you're 18 or over, a student and living in a London borough, you can get up to 30% discounted travel with a Student Oyster card.
How to get your Student Oyster
Apply online once you've fully enrolled at university.
To prove your eligibility you will need to provide:
For just a £21 administration fee, you can get a card valid for up to three years of your course.
Acquire your Student Oyster Card
A Student Oyster Photocard provides travel discounts. You can get a discount of 30 percent on Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes.
Find out more here.
Get a Railcard
Save money by getting a Railcard and connecting it to your Oyster card for discounts. You can also get discounted train travel across the UK with a railcard.
Travel Off-peak
Cut costs by travelling after 9.30am and before 4pm, or after 7pm on weekdays.
Embrace the Joy of Cycling
The biking infrastructure in London cpntinues to improve.
Try using Santander Cycles (also known as Boris Bikes) as the initial 30 minutes of your ride are complimentary.
The Value of Walking
There are plenty of beauty spots in London that are closer than you might expect.
Try using applications such as Citymapper to discover walking paths.
Consider joining walking clubs to meet people and explore your surroundings socially.
Tips for finding the cheapest route
When considering transportation options, it may be more cost effective to opt for a bus and tram pass, especially if you primarily rely on buses for your commute.
Consider using Citymapper to discover the cheapest routes.
Advice for students travelling to university from overseas
International students studying in London should make sure to get travel insurance that covers expenses, safeguards against trip cancellations, and protects against lost or stolen items, such as valuable electronics devices.
There are often student visa requirements for insurance coverage; therefore it is wise to choose policies that include personal liability protection and coverage for the entire academic year.
Make sure to look into transportation choices from the airport when your arrive in the UK.
Be mindful of balancing saving money with being practical. Remember to savour the journey, along the way!