Cheapest modes of travel to University

As an international student, one of my main worries with regard to starting a Masters programme was the idea of travel! I understand that travel can be expensive and it can come with many disadvantages of time, work and managing schedules. But having been here for a while, i decided to make the best of my abilities to help out prospective students make the best of the available options to save money and be fast and efficient to that lecture without breaking a sweat!

If you're a student who lives on campus, it may not be all that hard for you get around campus, but on off-days it might come in handy to explore the beautiful city of Birmingham and immerse yourself in English culture! But if you are a student who lives quite far away or you don't have the means to be able to travel to the University, you don't need to worry at all! Here are a few tips to make your lives easier.

Now you might say, "Isn't public transport slow, expensive, and really tiring?" Well, I have to say the public transport system of Birmingham has significantly improved. Sure, it gets crowded at rush hour and may seem like an extra effort to get up and hop on. But there are many instances where it can be contrarily useful.

Bus

Travelling through the bus gives you the option of exploring every part of the city and directly connects you to the University through its many gates. There are always buses available and it becomes a very easy access for everyone. The buses also have a very good system to help people with mobility issues and serves all equally.

While buses can be expensive, there are so many schemes and plans that National Express offer to students to provide discounts exclusively to university attendees. Sometimes it's hard to find these, but if you just Google and type in 'University of Birmingham Bus discount' you would find many useful official links that help in getting your termly or annual passes at reduced rates.

Train

Birmingham's train network is a game-changer for students, especially those living slightly further from campus. With its very own train station 'University' it connects the many different parts of Birmingham. It also has the city centre's station 'New Street', just a short distance from the University, is one of the busiest train stations in the UK. Whether you're commuting from nearby cities like Wolverhampton, Leicester, or even further afield, trains offer a quick and relatively comfortable option. The University is conveniently located just a short walk from its very own station or quick bus ride from New Street Station, making train travel incredibly convenient. It also offers season tickets for very cheap from selected destinations! that sometimes workout to be more cheaper than other modes of transport.

Trams

The West Midlands Metro has revolutionised urban transport in Birmingham. Running from Birmingham City Centre to Wolverhampton, and now to more areas since the recent expansion the tram system provides a smooth, efficient alternative to traditional transport. While it doesn't directly reach the University of Birmingham campus, it connects seamlessly with bus routes that do. The modern, clean trams are a hit among students, offering a quick and environmentally friendly way to navigate the city.

Pro tip for University of Birmingham students: Consider getting a Swift cards, which allows you to use multiple transport modes - buses, trains, and trams - with ease. It's a student's best friend when navigating Birmingham's public transport! or even apply for season tickets which help you in finding cheaper alternatives per-term. All in all, explore your options and whatever your choice, you would not be disappointed!