There is a very strong likely-hood that it your are planning to attend University, it will be the first time you move away from home, usually to a much larger and unfamiliar city. Ipersonally experienced this by moving from a small town to Liverpool, which was a big shock initially (and Liverpool isn’t even THAT big). With larger cities, accommodations can be spread all over the place, you may get lucky and live near both the University and local amenities such as supermarkets and shops, therefore you very rarely have to deal with the hassle of transport and paying for it. Most people however do have to use some sort of public transport on a daily basis either for travelling to town or to the University. Below are some tips on how you can make this aspect of student life run a little but smoother without financially crippling you.

Buses
Probably the most common form of public transport for students, yet probably the most hated due to people’s misconceptions about them being busy, dirty and unpredictable services. But you must remember that it’s also one of the cheapest ways to get around. For students, most bus companies run a student travel rate which turns out cheaper than the price of a regular ticket. Bus passes are also available which are usually valid for a term, these can save you a great deal of money if you will be a frequent bus traveler.

Trains
Not really used to get around a town or city, but are widely used to visit other areas of the country such as home or to see friends who are at University in different areas of the country. Trains can be very expensive, so it is advised to book online early to receive more favorable rates. Student can apply for a young person’s railcard for only £20, in exchange you receive a third off the price of a regular ticket, this can pay for itself in only one journey.

Taxis
Much more expensive than buses and are not recommended for day-to-day convenience transportation due to the price involved, using taxis every day really could create a huge hole in your pocket. The only time I would recommend using a taxi would be on the way home after a night out or if you really don’t have any idea where your required destination is located. Make sure you use a taxi service which is officially registered and is legal to carry paying passengers.

In larger cities there are other cheap and reliable forms of public transport such as dedicated student buses and metro trams. Make sure that you include these transport costs into your budget. It’s important to think sensibly about your transport, you really don’t want to suffer financially just to even get to University every day. As usual comments and experiences are welcomed below.