London Student Travel: Budget Tips, Transport, and Weekend Getaways

When you’re a student in London, the UK’s largest student city with over 400,000 university students. Also known as the student capital of Britain, it’s not just about lectures and libraries—it’s about hopping on a train to Brighton, catching a £10 flight to Paris, or biking through Hyde Park between classes. Student transport in London, a mix of Tube, buses, bikes, and walking is cheap if you know how to use it. The 18+ Student Oyster card cuts travel costs by up to 30%, and walking from Camden to King’s Cross takes less than 30 minutes—free and good for your mental health.

But London isn’t just a hub—it’s a launchpad. Budget airlines, like Ryanair and Wizz Air, fly from London’s airports to over 150 European cities for under £30 if you book early. Stansted and Luton are the go-to spots for students, not Heathrow. Coach travel, especially with National Express or Megabus, is even cheaper for weekend trips to Manchester, Edinburgh, or Cardiff. And if you’re tired of the city? The Thames Path or a £5 train ride to Greenwich gives you nature, history, and quiet—all without spending a fortune.

Most students don’t realize how much they can save just by planning ahead. A £200 flight to Barcelona can drop to £50 if you book 3 months early. A 16-week travelcard costs less than paying daily. And yes, walking to campus instead of taking the Tube twice a week saves you £15 a month—enough for a pizza or two. The key isn’t having money—it’s knowing the system.

Below, you’ll find real advice from students who’ve been there: how to avoid hidden fees on cheap flights, which bus routes are fastest between campuses, how to use railcards for trips outside London, and why some student discounts only work if you ask. No fluff. No theory. Just what actually saves time, cash, and stress.