Are you worried about London's high cost of living, especially transportation expenses? You can support your costs of London living and enrich your student life through part-time work. In this blog, UAPP will introduce you to some practical tips for saving on transportation costs in London, including discounts on buses, Student Oyster Cards, Railcards, and budget flights. This is particularly beneficial during student life when managing expenses is crucial.
Bus
The bus system in London is excellent, and buses are generally less expensive than the tube. Buses are a very economical choice for students on a budget and can significantly ease the financial strain of student life. When it comes to payment options, London buses don't take cash. Instead, you can pay for your trip with a contactless bank card, Oyster Card, or a paper ticket. A benefit of using a card is the Hopper fare. You will only be charged £1.75 if you use the same card to take repeated bus rides in a single hour. Nevertheless, the Hopper fare will not be applicable if, following the initial trip, your Oyster Card has a negative balance. In this case, you must top up your card within an hour of tapping in to be eligible. Furthermore, if you use an 18+ Student Oyster photocard to take the bus, you will get 30% off on Bus & Tram Passes. The daily fare for London buses caps at £5.25, which means that you will need to pay up to this amount regardless of how many bus rides you take in a given day.
18+ Student Oyster Photocard
One of the perks of being a student is that you are entitled to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Card. Compared to an adult card, purchasing Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets with an 18+ Student Oyster Card gives you a 30% discount. This can make a significant difference in your student life, especially for those who need to commute daily. If you are over 18 years old and attending a university in London, you are highly recommended to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard to save on transportation costs. Additionally, if your school is outside London but you come to London for a work placement, you can also apply for this photocard.
You can find detailed eligibility criteria and application guidelines on the official website. Once issued, the photocard allows you to purchase Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets both online and offline, providing flexibility in managing your student life transportation needs. Note that, while this card can also be used to pay as you go, you won't receive the 30% discount that way.
It's important to take good care of your photocard throughout your student life. If it's lost or damaged, there's a £10 administration fee for replacement. More importantly, Tube station staff may occasionally verify your identity against the photocard photo, so it's advisable not to lend your card to others to avoid potential fines or revocation of privileges. Ensure your photo remains clear and update it promptly if it fades or your appearance changes, as an accurate photo is essential for smooth travel. Lastly, remember to touch your card on the yellow card reader at the start and end of each journey to ensure correct fare calculation and to avoid penalty charges. This is particularly important advice for a student navigating London's public transport system during their student life.
Railcard
The most popular among students is the 16–25 Railcard. A 16–25 Railcard entitles you to a 1/3 reduction on rail prices across the UK. This is a great benefit if you frequently travel between London and other cities. The cost of a 16–25 Railcard for one year is £30, and a three-year Railcard is £70. The latter option is ideal for undergraduate students. Better yet, you can apply the day before your 24th birthday for a 3-year 16–25 Railcard, which will last until you're 27!This extended benefit can be beneficial as you transition from student life to early career years.
For additional savings, you can link your Oyster Card and your 16–25 Railcard. This will allow you to get 1/3 off on off-peak travel on London underground. To link your Oyster Card to your railcard, simply bring it to any tube station window and ask a staff member to do it. This is particularly useful for students who use both train and tube services regularly.
There are two ways to buy a railcard. Online purchases are available for both 1- and 3-year Railcards. You can apply online for a digital or physical card. By offline channels, you can only purchase a 1-year Railcard. Just bring the appropriate documents to any ticket office and receive your Railcard the same day!
Please note that if you have a train ticket with a Railcard discount, you must carry a valid Railcard while travelling. Therefore, we suggest that you download the Railcard app to your phone and have the digital card ready. This way, you won’t have to purchase a new ticket or pay a fine for not bringing your physical card. This small step can save a lot of hassle and ensure that you can enjoy your travels without worry, making student life much easier and more affordable.
Cheap flights
During your student life, you'll probably travel to other countries in Europe or other cities in the UK. Intercontinental flights can be a lot cheaper than you might have imagined. Popular low-cost airlines in Europe include Ryanair, EasyJet, TUI, Vueling, and Wizz Air, with prices ranging from £20 to £50. To get the best deal, compare costs on several travel booking websites before booking your flights, such as Skyscanner and Google Flights. However, low-cost airlines frequently alter amenities like baggage allowance, boarding pass printing, and in-flight food and beverages to save costs. In addition, they typically only allow travellers to bring on 15 kg of carry-on luggage; extra baggage can be pricey. Some airlines levy additional fees if customers don't check in online in advance. Hence, to make sure you don’t go over budget due to unnecessary expenses like overweight baggage, carefully read and understand the applicable rules before making your travel arrangements.
Studying abroad doesn’t have to break the bank. You can enjoy student life without spending a fortune! There are many ways for students to cut down on living and travelling expenses in London. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some useful tips to save money while travelling. If you'd like more money-saving tips on living in the UK, be sure to stay tuned to the UAPP blog!