Transport

London Underground & Overground

London has 11 Underground lines – known locally as the Tube – and 6 Overground lines. You can visit the TfL website to check for delays or closures before you travel, and check out the full map of Underground and Overground lines to familiarise yourself with the Tube. You can also use Transport for London (TfL)’s Journey Planner to plan your route across London.

Mobile travel apps

You can download free transport apps to your phone that include built-in maps, making it easy to navigate London on the go.

• TfL Go provides up-to-date information and takes into account delays or disruptions.
• Citymapper is another useful app that offers similar journey planning features, with real-time updates and live departure times to help you travel more easily. Citymapper also operates in cities outside of London, in case you decide to travel around the UK.

Student Oyster cards

The 18+ Student Oyster photocard is a travel discount card that helps students in London reduce the cost of public transport. London’s students can save 30% on Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.

You can apply if you:

• Are 18 or over
• Live in a London borough during term time
• Are enrolled at a registered school, college, or university OR doing a mandatory work placement in London
• Your course is at least 14 weeks long

If full-time, you must also:

• Have 15+ hours of classes per week
• Attend classes Monday–Friday

You may also qualify if you are:

• A full-time postgraduate student
• Receiving an NHS bursary
• On a mandatory 14+ week placement in London
• A sabbatical officer

If part-time (limited eligibility):

• Course lasts 14+ weeks
• You receive and NHS bursary or financial support (e.g., hardship fund)

This includes most international students, as long as your institution is part of the TfL scheme.

When to apply

Applications open on 1 September each year. You can only apply after you have enrolled on your course. Applications submitted before enrolment will not be accepted.

Before you apply, make sure you have the following:

• An active email address
• Your student enrolment ID
• A London borough address
• A digital photo (.jpg, .bmp, or .gif, under 6MB)
• A debit or credit card to pay the £22 fee

Railcards

Having a railcard will save you money on off-peak train and Tube tickets. There are different kinds of Railcards, for people aged 16-30, or who live with a disability. Find out more about the different types of Railcard and buy a railcard here. 

If you have a 16–25 Railcard or a 26–30 Railcard, you can link it to your Oyster card to save money on travel. This gives you:

• 1/3 off all off-peak pay-as-you-go fares
• Discounted off-peak Day Travelcards

How to add your Railcard to your Oyster card

1. Register your Oyster card
a. Register online so you can easily claim refunds or request a replacement if needed.

2. Visit a station or ticket stop – remember to bring your Railcard
a. Ask a staff member to add your Railcard discount to your Oyster card at:
i. London Underground (Tube) stations
ii. Some London Overground and Elizabeth line stations
iii. Oyster Ticket Stops (local shops displaying the Oyster sign)

b. You’ll need to show your valid National Railcard when requesting the discount.

Once added, your discount will be automatically applied to eligible journeys. Remember:

• Always carry your valid National Railcard with you when travelling, as you may be asked to show it.
• Your Railcard is for your personal use only and must not be used by anyone else.

Accessibility on London transport

For students living with a disability, London’s public transport network offers a range of accessibility features to help you travel safely and confidently:

• Many Tube, Overground, and rail stations provide step-free access from street to train, with lifts and ramps available. However, not all stations are fully accessible, so it’s important to plan your journey in advance. You can also download TfL’s accessibility maps. 
• Station staff are available to assist with directions, provide boarding ramps, and support you throughout your journey.
• The “Turn Up and Go” service allows you to request assistance without booking in advance on most London services.
• Trains, tubes and buses have priority seating, which is often near to doors, and TfL offers a “Please offer me a seat” badge if your need for a seat is not visible. You can ask people to vacate Priority seating if you need to use it.
• Apps like TfL Go and Citymapper can help you plan routes and check accessibility, including lift availability.
• For longer journeys on National Rail, you can book Passenger Assist for extra support. While not every station is fully step-free, London continues to improve accessibility, and with a little planning and support, you can travel around the city with confidence.

Bike hire

Cycling is a convenient, flexible affordable way to get around London, especially for short journeys or exploring the city. There are several bike hire options available:

Santander Cycles

• A public bike hire scheme run by Transport for London (TfL)
• Bikes are available from docking stations across central London
• You can hire and return them at different docking points
• Pay per use (24-hour access fee + usage charges
• Known locally as ‘Boris bikes’

Returning a Santander Cycle

• Dock the bike firmly and wait for the green light.
• No green light = you may still be charged.
• If full, get extra time from the terminal to find another dock.
• Report faulty bikes using the ‘Fault’ button.

Student discount on Santander Cycles

• Students aged 18+ can get 25% off the annual subscription
• Pay £90 per year (instead of £120) for unlimited 60-minute rides
• This works out at around 25p per day
• Access the discount via Student Beans
• Extra charges apply for e-bikes and rides over 60 minutes

Lime and Forest bikes

• App-based electric bike hire
• No docking station needed – pick up and leave bikes in designated areas
• Powered by a motor, making cycling easier (especially longer distances)
• Pay per minute via the app
• Widely available in many parts of Greater London

Tips for bike hire in London

• Download the relevant app (e.g. Lime, Santander Cycles) before you travel
• Follow parking rules for dockless bikes to avoid extra charges
• Always wear a helmet if possible and follow UK road rules
• Use cycle lanes where available for a safer journey

Taxis

London has several safe and reliable taxi options. Here’s what you need to know to choose the best one.

1. Black Cabs

• These are London’s traditional taxi cabs.
• Can be hailed on the street or picked up at taxi ranks
• Clearly marked with a yellow “TAXI” light when available
• Good for short trips or late at night
• Drivers are highly trained and licensed (they pass “The Knowledge”)
• Accept card and contactless payments
• Tend to be expensive

2. Uber

• Book and pay through the Uber app
• Shows fare estimate before booking
• Cars arrive directly to your location

3. Bolt

• Similar to Uber, booked via the Bolt app
• Popular with students due to competitive prices

Student Tips

• Compare prices between Uber and Bolt before booking
• Consider public transport first as it’s usually cheaper
• Travel with friends to split the cost

Tips and tricks for public transport in London

•  Bus Hopper fare: Take unlimited bus or tram journeys within 1 hour for the price of a single fare.
• Always tap in and out on the Tube, trains, and at many stations: Missing a tap can mean a higher charge.
• Use contactless or Oyster: It’s cheaper than buying paper tickets.
• Daily and weekly caps: You’ll never pay more than a set limit if you make multiple journeys in a day or week.
• Travel off-peak: Fares are cheaper outside busy times. If you can, avoid travelling between 06:30 to 09:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00 on Mondays to Fridays – your travel costs will be lower. 
• Stand on the right, walk on the left on escalators.
• Check live updates: Apps like TfL Go or Citymapper help avoid delays.
• Boarding buses: Enter at the front, tap your card, and exit through the middle or back doors.
• Night travel: Night buses and some Night Tube lines run after midnight on weekends.

Some links on this page point to third-party sites and apps that we don’t own or run. We share them because we think they’re useful, but we can’t be held responsible for their content, pricing, or your experience with them, so it’s worth doing your own checks before you book or buy anything.