Navigating a new country’s streets can be daunting and stressful, especially when you are new and unfamiliar with the surroundings in the cities. Getting your head around public transport in a new country can take time and effort.
This comprehensive guide aims to clear all your misconceptions and simplify your travel experience nationwide. From the famous double-decker buses of London to its historic trams, we are here to help you.
Learn how smoothly you can travel around the UK with some essential tips for international students. Let’s be native-like locals without any stress about getting lost in translation.
Students need to understand the public transport system in the UK. You have to get familiar with various modes of transport and how they connect. However, unlike other countries, in the UK, you will also find that public transport networks are well-developed and cost-effective in large cities. Whereas, in smaller towns, the service is temperamental at best.
The UK government values its public transport system significantly, and the federation has urged the government to invest 18 billion pounds more a year by 2030.
Here’s an overview of all you need to know about the whole transport system in the UK.
The UK offers vast modes of transport for getting around the cities. Here is a list of ways of transport system in the UK:
The UK has an extensive railway network that connects many cities and towns around the country. Cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle have well-developed train systems.
Do you know which city in the UK is well-known for its best train network? London is famous for its dot-to-dot underground train line service, The Tube or The Underground, with approximately 375 stations.
Buses are the most common and easily accessible mode of transport. London’s famous iconic red double-decker buses are notable around the globe.
The most iconic black cab, a hackney or hackney carriage, is used as a car for hire. Black taxis are a common sight on the streets of the UK, but they are usually more expensive.
Cities like Manchester and Edinburgh still have old tram systems. Manchester Metrolink has one of the most extensive tram networks in the K. You can find reliable schedules for these trams, and they are often segregated from street traffic.
London’s subway system is a rapid transit system that serves Greater London and other parts of the UK, like Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire. You can often find people referring to it as the tube in London.
If you want to visit any islands around the UK, ferries are the best option. It offers an easy choice for travel rather than car or other modes of transport. They are a watercraft that carries passengers and often vehicles and cargo across the water bodies in the UK.
In the UK, the public transport system has several modes that offer hassle-free travel around the cities. Here’s a breakdown of these modes:
A local bus is the most common mode of transport in the UK, and that’s why they are the most popular form of transportation. 1.6 billion local bus journeys were completed in the last year, i.e., an increase of 19% from last year.
Even though private companies own the buses, there was an increase in bus fares, unlike every year. Buses remain the most accessible and most straightforward mode of public transport.
Remember that you must tell the driver where you are traveling while entering the bus to generate a ticket. The ticket price is generated based on the distance you are traveling.
You can access free wi-fi on some bus routes and enjoy traveling.
The ticket price depends on who is traveling, your destination, the bus company, and the distance. If you are traveling in London, you can TFL Website; if you are traveling outside of London, check Stagecoach.
There are different types of bus tickets in UK buses:
Discounts are available for:
Older adults over 60 can travel for free with an older person’s bus pass.
If you are a student aged 18 or above, you can save up to 30% in London. You can register with a student card for discounts outside London.
Adolescents between 16 to 17 years old can register themselves and get up to a 50% discount rate.
People with disabilities can travel for free on buses with disabled people’s bus passes.
The timetable of the buses differs depending on the region in the UK. However, most buses run from around 05:00 to 00:00 on weekdays. While outside the urban areas, the buses stop running in the early evening. Check your local timetable ahead of time.
The UK has a rich and proud history when it comes to train networks. They are clean, easy to understand, and relatively efficient. The country has impressive train stations like London St Pancras International, Bristol Temple Meads, and Huddersfield.
Traveling by train in the UK is pretty expensive, especially when you buy tickets on the day of travel. Buying tickets ahead of time is always advisable to save time and money—another way to keep your money is by searching for split rail tickets online.
Rail passengers made 390 million journeys in Great Britain from 1st April to 30th June 2023. You can access wi-fi and other facilities while traveling.
The train tickets vary depending on the destination, time, and traveling person. And if you are traveling by train frequently, it is advisable to have a Railcard. You can get a physical or digital card to grant you access to trains at one-third the price of the initial train fare.
The railcars are valid for either one or three years for an individual. Discounts are available for almost everyone, including adults, students, disabled people, older adults, families, and groups.
For single or return tickets, you can get the tickets online through National Rail’s Journey Planner or at the office at the train station. You can even find tickets at a self–service machine at the train station.
The UK has a vast and rich network of trains, and it can be challenging to come across a timetable. Still, you can view train itineraries and live train status on the Trainline App. Generally, the train in the UK stops between 01:00 and 05:00; you can check the National Rail or the Trainline websites for details.
You can find a Great Britain’s Railway Network map on Tranline’s website. For international trains, there are three international train stations in Great Britain: London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, and Ashford. From here, you can catch trains to various other destinations in Europe.
Several cities across the UK have a tram system; light trams run along tracks on public roads and segregated routes. In general, UK cities have either a metro or a tram system; only London has both.
UK trams are clean, modern, affordable, and often provide excellent city views while traveling.
Tram ticket prices are roughly the same as bus prices. Cities like Manchesters set prices depending on what zone you are traveling to. In London, the pricing system is relatively straightforward.
You can use contactless cards while boarding the tram in the UK or get a ticket from a ticket machine before boarding.
You can check the tram timing online through the tram operator. In London, the timings are generally from 05:00 to 01:00 on Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays, it’s from 07:00 to 01:00.
Meanwhile, in Manchester, the timings are generally from 06:00 to 00:00 from Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from 07:00 to 00:00.
If planning your journey in the UK, take several steps to ensure a smooth and efficient travel. Here is the guide that will help you:
Identify your starting and final destination. Always consider your nearby transport options like bus stops, train stops, or other mode of transport.
Determine your transport mode and use your city’s online journey planner, mobile application, or website.
Look for the timetable of the transport mode you will use. Check for scheduled maintenance work or any disruptions while traveling.
UK weather is unpredictable. Hence, you must check the weather forecast and be prepared while traveling.
Interchange your mode of transport only when it is needed. And if your journey involves interchange, be sure about the distance and time.
You can access many public transport in the UK through mobile apps. Here is a list of some popular apps:
It is one of the most used apps that provide information on buses, trains, tubes, scooters, and mopeds in cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Get all the details related to train times, delays, cancellations, purchasing of tickets, and planning the journey.
It is one of the UK’s most popular applications used for booking taxi apps. It usually operates in every part of the UK. But it’s quite expensive if you are traveling by cab frequently.
It will help you to track public transport all over London, from trains to trams, the tube, and the ferries.
It will help you track bus journeys all over the UK, covering over 300,000 bus stops with real-time bus information and options to purchase tickets.
From bustling city hubs to charming rural toutes, the UK’s transport system offers a tapestry of options to explore. We hope you have simplified your new journey in the UK with the proper preparation.
If you are a student going to the UK for your career goals, you must check out every aspect to make your journey more beautiful. Explore the amazing student accommodation in the UK and transform your traveling experience into an adventure-filled discovery.
