Hello there! Whether you're thinking of heading to London for studying, working, or just living your life, the high transportation cost might be one of the major factors that make you stressed. Even for locals, finding ways to trim travel expenses can be quite a challenge.
Rest assured! As, your buddies at BACCOM are here to share 6 budget-friendly travel tips for you to adapt to your own lifestyle.
Let’s dive in! 🚀🚨
1. 18+ Student Oyster Photocard
Photo credit: tfl.gov.uk
If you're a student over 18 living in London, you can pocket some serious savings on your transportation expenses with a Student Oyster Photocard. This card lets you hop on Tubes, Trains, Buses, DLR trains, Trams, and even get discounts at shops displaying the Oyster card symbol. It's super easy to use—just like a smart card. You can top it up based on how much you travel, and choose whether to pay for each round or get a monthly pass.
The Student Oyster Photocard is similar to the Standard Oyster Card, which is a contactless smart card used for traveling on public transport in London. The difference is that the Student Oyster Photocard has your picture on it. With this card, students can enjoy a 30% discount on regular adult travel fares. Plus, it allows you to cap your travel expenses, meaning there's a limit on how much you spend in a day or week, including weekly, monthly, and yearly passes. It's like having the ultimate all-in-one card for getting the best value out of your travels!
Requirements to apply for the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard:
Educational institutions must first register with the Transport for London (TfL) programme, which is a local government agency responsible for most of London's transportation network. Only then can students apply for the 18+ Student Oyster Card themselves on the website Transport For London
The registration fee is £25 (non-refundable).
Additional Info: If your educational institution is located outside Greater London but you live in a London borough and need to travel regularly during term time, you can ask your school if you're eligible to apply for the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard. :)
For more details, click here.
To check ticket prices updated for 2023 when using the 18+ Student Oyster photocard in Zones 1-9, click here.
2. 16-25 Railcard and 26-30 Railcard
Photo credit: bbc
The 16-25 Railcard is an annual discount card available to individuals aged 16-25, including students over 25 enrolled in qualifying programmes for at least 15 hours a week for at least 20 weeks per year. It's designed to help young adults save money on train travel.
Similarly, the 26-30 Railcard, also known as the Millennial Railcard, caters to those aged 26-30.
Both cards offer discounts of up to 1/3 off National Rail train ticket prices. Plus, they’re not available for use only in London but across the entire UK. Having one of these Railcards can lead to significant savings on your journeys.
You can unlock more benefits from your Railcard by linking it with your student Oyster card. This will give you a 34% discount on off-peak travel across the Transport for London (TfL) network. To do so, simply visit a London Underground station or the TfL ticket stop, where staff can assist you in completing the process. Once linked, you can now enjoy additional discounts on transportation fares!
Requirements to apply for the 16-25 Railcard:
The current price is £30, and it's valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.
You can apply by submitting documents at a train station or uploading them on the website 16-25 Railcard
The required documents include:
An appropriate photo
A valid passport or UK driving licence
A student status certificate from your university
There is a choice between a physical card and an electronic card.
A physical card will be delivered to you within approximately 5 days after applying.
For a digital Railcard, you'll need to download the Railcard app. Once your registration is complete, you'll receive a digital railcard download code via email, which you can use to add your digital railcard to your phone.
Full-time students aged 25 and above must apply as "mature students."
Requirements to apply for the 26-30 Railcard:
The price is £30, and it's valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.
You can only apply by uploading documents on the website 26-30 Railcard or through the Railcard app.
The required documents include:
An appropriate photo
A valid passport or UK driving licence
This 26-30 railcard can only be used as a digital railcard. Just add the download code through the Railcard app, then you can use it and enjoy your journey! Or click how to apply.
For more details and to apply, visit the 16-25 railcard and 26-30 railcard websites.
3. Avoid Traveling During Rush Hours
Photo credit: insider
In London, we have what we call Rush Hours, which are also known as Peak Times. During these Peak times, which are between 6:00 - 9:30, and between 16:00 - 19:00 on Monday to Friday, the fares for all types of transportation (except buses) increase from the normal prices!
So, if you travel often, make sure to check the schedule carefully before leaving home. Since there are many types of tickets for travel in London, let us introduce you to a few ticket types you should know to help you avoid confusion when travelling in London:
1. Anytime ticket
You can board any train at any time to reach your destination.
This ticket can be purchased and used during Peak times or Rush Hours.
2. Off-Peak ticket
You can board any specified train with this ticket.
On weekdays, you can use it from the first service to 06:30, from 09:30 to 16:30 and 19:00 onward.
On weekends and Bank Holidays, you can use it all day.
3. Super Off-Peak ticket
You can board any specified train operated by the company mentioned on the ticket.
On weekdays, you can use it only between 10:00-15:30, and from 19:00 onwards.
On weekends and Bank Holidays, you can use it all day.
This ticket is cheaper than an Off-Peak ticket.
For more details, click here.
4. Cycling
Photo credit: telegraph
In the UK, many people bike to school or work a lot. Cycling here is considered quite safe because there are dedicated bike lanes for cyclists, so you can ride your bike with confidence. Cycling is another interesting option for those who want to save on travel costs and get some exercise at the same time!
If you already have your own bike, you can use it to get around. But don't worry if you don't have one because in London, there's a popular bike rental service called Santander Cycle. They have bike stations all around London where you can rent a bike and explore the city comfortably. The starting price is £1.65 for 30 minutes!
Click to download Santander Cycles
5. Bus
Photo credit: londonblog.tfl.gov.uk
Red Double-decker, the famous London Bus that you can spot right away! It only costs £1.75 per ride, and the daily cap is £5.25. Taking the bus is a convenient and affordable option. Plus, you can enjoy a relaxed city atmosphere and importantly, bus fares are cheaper than taking the Tube!
Also, in London, there's a policy called the Hopper fare, which helps you save money. With a Contactless Card or Oyster Card, you can change buses or trams as many times as you want within an hour for just £1.75. But be careful, if you switch to the Tube or DLR while using the Hopper Fare, you'll be charged the normal fare.
For those with 18+ Student Oyster Photocards, you get a 30% discount on weekly, monthly, and yearly bus passes!
Important: Buses are cashless, so make sure to bring your credit card or travel card with you.
For more details about bus routes, click here.
For more information about the Hopper Fare, click here.
6. Walking
Photo credit: runnersworld
The simplest and most basic way to get around is by walking! In rush hours when the Tube or Buses are crowded, walking becomes a popular and interesting option. The weather is usually cool, the sidewalks are spacious, and you get to enjoy the city views. Plus, it's a free way to get some exercise! So, if you want to change things up and take a leisurely stroll, walking is a great option!
However, there are a few things to be cautious about because the UK is known for frequent rain. You might want to check the weather forecast and remember to bring an umbrella or raincoat before heading out.
Bonus!
In addition to saving on transportation, here are some awesome apps to help you out:
1. Citymapper
This free app is a must-have as it helps you navigate the city easily (even better than Google Maps). Just enter your starting point and destination, and the app will find the best route for you, whether it's by tube, train, bus, tram, or even walking.
Click to download Citymapper
2. Tube Map
London's sprawling Tube network can be confusing, right? Downloading the Tube Map app to your phone will make planning your tube journeys much easier. It also helps you understand the stations and different lines better.
Click to download Tube Map
If you're interested in other additional apps, you can read more about them on 8 Must-Have Apps for Newbies in the UK. Don’t worry, whatever you need, we've got it covered!
And for those worried about accommodations, documents, or anything related to travelling to the UK, feel free to reach out to us, the BACCOM team, for assistance. Or if you want to learn more about living in the UK, you can also check out additional blogs on our website!
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