Rail companies and some coach and bus companies offer substantial discounts for students. When you arrive in the UK it is a good idea to read the leaflets available at stations and post offices about travel cards, in order to decide which suits you best
Tickets and Discounts
If you are going to travel a lot by train you may wish to buy a Young Person's Railcard (£28 per year) or a Network Card (£20 per year) for travel within the south-east of England. Both cards offer discounts on train fares although the Young Person's Railcard is probably more appropriate as it offers more flexibility and value for money. Discounts amount to one-third of the normal cost, but there are certain times when there are restrictions on the use of the card, usually before 10am or at peak travelling times. You should therefore explain clearly when purchasing a ticket, when and what time you wish to travel and when, if necessary, you will return (if buying a return ticket). A Young Person's Railcard is particularly useful for long distance rail travel.
It is worth planning your trips in advance to get the best prices. If you book in advance, travel off peak and specify your return dates you will often find cheaper fares. Several retailers sell discounted rail fares online, including www.thetrainline.com
Savings can also be obtained by purchasing weekly, monthly or yearly season tickets. In particular, students qualify for the Brighton UniZone Card, which gives discounted rail travel in the Brighton area. For further details, ask at one of the local train stations when you arrive.
Cheap day return tickets are available to anyone - ie you do not have to have a special student saver card in order to get the cheap rate. They are not normally available before 9am for local journeys, or sometimes before 10am depending on the destination. (At weekends they are available at all times.)
Please be aware that all train services, travel concessions and conditions are subject to change at short notice.
Regulations and ServicesIt is an offence to enter a station platform or a train without a valid ticket - if stopped by an inspector you could be liable to pay a penalty fare.
Having a train ticket does not guarantee you a seat. At certain times, eg in the rush-hour, trains are often very full and you may find that you have to stand. If you want to be sure of a seat you can reserve one for a small fee. This can be done when you buy your ticket in advance.
If you have not paid for a first-class ticket, you are not permitted to sit in these areas. First-class compartments are clearly marked on the windows.
Further information about train travel in the Brighton area, including timetables, can be found at www.southernrailway.com
Bus Travel
There are regular bus services to the University for students living off campus and each house is situated near a bus stop or rail station. Bus number 25 runs between the centre of Brighton and the University, bringing passengers directly onto campus. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes from the city centre. In addition, bus services 28, 29, 728, and 729 operate between Brighton (Old Steine) and destinations east of Falmer. They all stop right outside the University. The N25 service runs through the night from the city centre to the University.
In general it is cheaper to go by bus, and there are various ways of making it even cheaper - eg time of travel, purchasing a return ticket or a discount card. The SuperSAVER ticket is available to students for discounted travel on the Brighton & Hove buses. It costs £10.50 for seven days (this should be purchased from 1 Stop Travel in Old Steine, Brighton, or from NUS shops on campus), £100 for three months or £320 for one year (these can be purchased at 1 Stop Travel in Brighton, Brighton station or the Post Office on campus), enabling almost unlimited daily travel in the local area.
Further information about bus travel in the Brighton & Hove area, including bus times, can be found at www.buses.co.uk or ask at the International and Study Abroad Office.
For coach travel, normally used for long distance travel, discounts of about 30 per cent are available with the purchase of a student coach card (for students aged 16-26), costing £10 for a year. Discounts with this card also include certain Eurolines routes to mainland Europe. Further details are available at www.nationalexpress.com/ coach/offers/students.cfm
If you have any enquiries regarding local
travel, contact 1 Stop Travel:
16 Old Steine, Brighton, or
Brighton Station Concourse
T +44 (0)1273 700406.
International Travel
You may already have an ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card), which entitles you to discounted international travel. If not, you can obtain one from the Student Travel Association or AOSSA (see addresses below or via the web at www.isiccard.com). This card costs £9. Note that the card may not entitle you to discounts in and around the Brighton & Hove area.
STA Travel
38 North Street
Brighton
T +44 (0)1273 728282
STA Travel
It is relatively easy and inexpensive to get to other European countries. There are a number of 'discount' airlines that offer cheap tickets through the internet. (See for example www.monarch.co.uk; www.ryanair.com; www.easyjet.com). If you wish to take a more carbon-friendly option, it is possible to travel overland comfortably and affordably. See www.seat61.com for ideas.
There are some agencies that specialise in offering travel to students and these may be able to offer you special deals. If you use a travel agent ensure that it is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and/or the International Air Ticketing Association (IATA). Both these organisations scrutinise their membership thoroughly and require high standards, and can protect your purchase.
Before travelling to or from the UK, ensure that you have met the requirements for immigration
Page published by: International Study Abroad Office, Friston Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SP