phd student railcard

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Eligibility for 16-25 railcard for (over 25) PhD students?

Does anyone have experience applying for a 16-25 railcard as a (well over 25 years of age) PhD student? The website has this on full time students over 25:

I am over 25 years old and in full time education – can I apply for a Railcard?

Yes. We define full-time study as attending college or University (in the United Kingdom) for 15 hours or more a week for at least 20 weeks a year. You can apply at a rail station or via the 16-25 Railcard website. To apply online you will need to complete the mature student application form including the "Mature Students Only" section and ensuring that it has been signed by either your tutor, head tutor, head of department or University/Collage administration staff member. Please note that students on home study and distance learning courses are not eligible.

This sounds promising, but I can find no specific reference to postgrad students or PhDs anywhere, so I’m still not clear. If anyone knows for sure, I’d appreciate it.

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16-25 Railcard

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Aged 16-25 or a full time student aged 26 or over? Save 1/3 off most standard class rail fares throughout Great Britain with a 16-25 Railcard.

A 16-25 Railcard costs £30 and it'll save you 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year, including all Standard and First Class Advance fares. Take a look at all the  ticket types  you can make savings on with a 16-25 Railcard.

You are eligible if you're aged 16-25, or over the age of 26 and in full-time education. Please see our eligibility criteria for more information.

There are plenty of ways you can use your Railcard, for both long and short trips. Better still you can use it anytime on weekends, public holidays and during the week. The only restriction is that if you travel between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday (except during July and August) a minimum fare of £12 will apply. See minimum fares for more details.

Please visit the  16-25 Railcard website  for more information or  click here  to buy now.

Further information

https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/travel-times-tickets/

https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/about-the-railcard/using-your-railcard/

Booking Conditions

1-Year Railcard

At station ticket office

3-Year Railcard

From 8th March 2023

Days & Times Valid

• Label Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays : Yes

£12 minimum fare applies to tickets purchased for travel between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday - Fridays (except July and August) excluding Advance tickets

Terms & Conditions

16-25 Railcard gets you 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, as well as Standard Advance and First Class Advance fares. And because there's no limit to the number of times you can use your Railcard, the potential for adventure is huge.

Save on these types of tickets

Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns

Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns

Standard and First Class Advance * Most Rail Rovers fares

Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express

Oyster Off-Peak pay as you go Daily Price Cap and Off-Peak pay as you go single fares for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway

Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside the London Zones area (subject to minimum fare of £20.30)Caledonian Sleeper: discount on Club Solo or Classic Solo rooms and seated products

PlusBus day tickets

Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight, Hovertravel services to and from Ryde Hoverport, and Stena Line ferries to Republic of Ireland * *

* These tickets need to be booked before you travel.

* * Discount is only available on tickets as part of a journey from/to a National Rail station and on combined rail/sea journeys from/to Ryde Hoverport.

Valid in both directions

Passengers information, applicable origin station(s).

Applies to all stations

Applicable Destination Station(s)

Prices - 16-25 railcard (1-year), prices - 16-25 railcard (3 year).

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How to Get a 16‐25 Railcard

Last Updated: December 28, 2020 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD . Christopher Osborne has been a wikiHow Content Creator since 2015. He is also a historian who holds a PhD from The University of Notre Dame and has taught at universities in and around Pittsburgh, PA. His scholarly publications and presentations focus on his research interests in early American history, but Chris also enjoys the challenges and rewards of writing wikiHow articles on a wide range of subjects. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 3,459 times.

There are several varieties of Railcard that offer discounted fares when traveling on the UK’s National Rail Service. [1] X Research source If you're between the ages of 16 and 25, or if you're a full-time student who's age 26 or older, you can save 33% on rail fares with a 16-25 Railcard. You can also get discounts at certain retailers. Even better, it’s really easy to get this Railcard either online, in person, or by phone!

Making Sure You’re Eligible

• A UK driver’s license.
• A UK or international passport. (You do not need to be a UK citizen.)
• A UK national identity card (only valid for in-person applications). [3] X Research source
• A UK birth certificate (only valid for in-person applications).

• You must attend a recognized college or university for at least 15 hours per week and at least 20 weeks per year. Part-time students over age 25 are not eligible.
• You need a valid college or university photo ID card.
• Your college or university must complete a section of your application.
• Note that the “mature student” card is only valid for 1 year at a time, while the standard 16-25 Railcard has 1-year and 3-year options.

• Additionally, 16-25 Railcard holders are eligible for discounts from partnering retailers by showing their card or using it online. [6] X Research source
• If you’re 16 or 17 years of age, you may save even more by getting a 16-17 Saver Railcard. It carries essentially the same eligibility rules as the 16-25 Railcard, except for the age restriction. [7] X Research source

Ordering Your Card Online

• A valid UK driver’s license, or a valid UK or international passport.
• A valid credit or debit card.
• A digital passport-style photo that you can upload. Follow the same requirements for getting a passport photo where you live.

• If you choose a digital Railcard, you’ll be given a code upon completing your online purchase. Download the Railcard app onto your smartphone and enter this code to activate your digital 16-25 Railcard.
• Use your digital Railcard to buy National Rail tickets online, or open the app on your smartphone to buy tickets at National Rail-affiliated stations.

• It may take up to 5 business days for the card to reach you within the UK.
• You can also pay extra to have the card delivered more quickly by Special Delivery.
• If you choose a physical Railcard, you’ll have to wait for the card to arrive and have it in your possession in order to get the discount at National Rail-affiliated stations.

Signing up in Person or by Phone

• An application, which you can pick up and fill out on the spot or download ahead of time by clicking the relevant link at https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/where-to-buy/ .
• One of the following: a valid UK birth certificate; a valid UK national identity card; a valid UK driver’s license; a valid UK or international passport.
• A passport-size and style photo. Follow the rules for passport photos where you live.
• A valid form of payment: credit, debit, or cash. (Note that a 1-year card costs £30, while a 3-year card costs £70.)

• You can start using this card immediately after purchasing it.

• Your card will be sent by mail if you choose this option. It may take up to 5 days to arrive within the UK.

Getting a "Mature Student" Card

• According to the form, the second section can be filled out by a tutor, head tutor, head of department, or university/college administration staff member.
• Remember that, to be eligible, you must be: age 26 or above; attending a recognized UK university or college at least 15 hours per week and at least 20 weeks per year.

• A valid college or university ID card.
• A valid UK driver’s license, or UK or international passport.
• A passport-style photo that you can attach to the application before scanning it.
• A credit or debit card. “Mature student” 16-25 Railcards cost £30 for 1 year. 3-year cards are not available in this case.

• The online purchase process is the same as for a standard 16-25 Railcard, except that you’ll also have to upload the scanned application form and provide your college or university ID card number.
• Call Railcard at 0345 3000 250 for more information regarding your options for getting this type of card. [17] X Research source

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.railcard.co.uk/
• ↑ https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/are-you-eligible/
• ↑ https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/where-to-buy/
• ↑ https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/the-benefits/
• ↑ https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/news-offers/offers/
• ↑ https://www.16-17saver.co.uk/
• ↑ https://www.railcard.co.uk/contact-us/

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Santander's free four-year railcard for students and apprentices

• Santander 1|2|3 Student Current Account, available to students and apprentices (levels four to seven) • Free four-year Santander 16-25 Railcard saves on average £199 a year 1 • £1,500 fee-free overdraft and 1% interest on balances up to £2,000 • Up to 15% cashback on debit card spending at a range of retailers 2

It’s a start to the university year unlike any before, but as thousands of young adults across the UK prepare to embark on their journey into higher education, one thing hasn’t changed - Santander continues to offer them its 1|2|3 Student Current Account uniquely tailored to their needs.

To help students through their journey, the account includes a free four-year 16-25 Railcard, exclusive to Santander student customers, which gives them a third off standard rail fares. As lockdown measures are eased and more people return to train travel, students will benefit by saving an average of £199 every year with their four-year Railcard. Santander’s Railcard is available to full time students in higher education as well as school leavers taking up higher or degree level apprenticeships 3 .    Hetal Parmar, Head of Banking, Santander said: “University life and apprenticeships may look very different this year for many, but this time of life still brings with it the first big step towards financial independence. Our highly popular 1I2I3 Student Current Account continues to give great value and provide the financial support students and apprentices need at this exciting time in their lives.”

Last year, Santander retained its position as the largest provider of new student accounts with just under a third of all student account openings taking place with Santander 4 .

Santander’s 1|2|3 Student Current Account is available online and to all students, regardless of their year of study. In addition to the four-year Railcard, the Santander account offers:

• An interest and fee-free arranged overdraft of £1,500 in the first three years of study, £1,800 in the fourth year and £2,000 in the fifth year (if students continue with their studies);
• In-credit interest of 1% on balances up to £2,000;
• Additional cashback of up to 15% on debit card spending at major retailers through Retailer Offers, which helps students stretch their money that little bit further;
• Access to exclusive 1I2I3 World benefits including preferential deals on other financial products. 

Since 2007, Santander Universities has invested more than £90m in supporting UK students and universities. The bank supports higher education with a number of schemes aimed at improving access to education, entrepreneurship and employability. Santander Universities has 85 direct UK University partnerships and more than 1,100 globally.

To open an account, or for more information, visit: www.santander.co.uk/student

The information contained in our press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.

Notes to Editors: Student case studies are available 1 The 16-25 Railcard saves on average £199 a year, according to www.railcard.co.uk/ 2 More detail on Retailer Offers can be found here . 3 Level four to seven. 4 Santander had a 32 per cent market share of new student account openings in 2019, making it the largest provider of new student accounts in 2019 according to data from CACI. Santander’s 1|2|3 Student Current Account: Credit interest on the balance: • 1.00 per cent AER/gross (variable) on balances up to £2,000 Interest-free and fee-free arranged overdraft: • £1,500 in years 1, 2 and 3 • £1,800 in year 4 • £2,000 in year 5 VISA debit contactless card (subject to status) Easy access - withdraw up to £300 daily without charge Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.santander.co.uk/student

Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. At 30 December 2019, the bank had around 23,500 employees and serves around 14 million active customers, via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.

Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It has a meaningful presence in 10 core markets in Europe and the Americas, and is one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. Its purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising over €120 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2025, as well as financially empowering more than 10 million people over the same period. At the end of the first quarter of 2020, Banco Santander had a trillion euros in total funds, 146 million customers, of which 21.3 million are loyal and 38.3 million are digital, 11,900 branches and 195,000 employees. Banco Santander made underlying profit of €1,977 million in the first quarter of 2020, an increase of 1% compared to the same period of last year.

A quick check to make sure you're eligible...

16-25 years old.

If you’re between 16 and 25 years old, you’re eligible. In this case, you can buy your Railcard online using a valid debit or credit card, a valid UK driving licence or international passport, and a digital passport-style photo for uploading. It will then be delivered for free within 5 working days.

Further information canbe found on the Railcard website 16-25 Railcard

Mature students (over 26)

If you are aged 26-30 years old and still in full-time education, you can choose whether to buy a 26-30 Railcard , or buy a 16-25 Railcard as a mature student .

Mature students who are over the age of 30, can only choose the 16-25 Railcard option and apply as a mature student.

To be eligible as a mature student and buy a 1-year Railcard, you will need:

• To be attending a recognised college or university, for over 15 hours a week, at least 20 weeks a year. Unfortunately, Open University, distance learning and part-time courses do not qualify.
• To have the mature student section of the 16-25 Railcard application form completed by your College or University.
• Have a NUS card or College/University photocard as proof of identity.

Please allow up to 5 working days for your Railcard application to be approved.

Mature students will need to provide evidence of continuing study every year, and so are only eligible to apply for the 1-year Railcard.

Mature students - How to get your form signed

E-mail (for online applications only)

You can e-mail your completed online railcard form together with a photo of your student ID card.

In Person (for both online and in-person applications)

You can visit any of the Ask Herts hubs and get your completed in-person railcard signed and stamped. If you are using the forms that are processed at train station ticket offices, please remember to bring a passport size photo with you. (We are unable to stamp your form without the photo).

26-30 Railcard

If you are aged 26-30, the National Rail 26-30 Railcard will save you 1/3 off most off-peak rail fares to travel across Great Britain. There are tickets, time restrictions and minimum fares, so please check the railcard website for more information.

How to apply

For further information including how to apply please visit railcard website or click the blue button below.

Student Enquiries and Enrolment Team (SEET)

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• Sunday - Open 24 Hours
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Up to 97% of Mature Students are missing out on saving ⅓ OFF train travel

25th September 2023

London, 25 September 2023 : Railcard.co.uk has found that over half a million mature students aged 26 and above could be missing out on discounted rail travel, despite eligibility for a 16-25 Railcard . Railcard.co.uk is seeking to remind mature students across Great Britain, that they too can opt-in for the 16-25 Railcard, and start saving ⅓ off their train travel – available online through Railcard.co.uk. 

Railcard.co.uk has revealed that less than 3% of their 16-25 Railcard users are mature students . With 547,980 mature students* enrolled in ‘21-’22, potentially as little as 3.01% are taking advantage of the offer. Railcard.co.uk is calling out for full-time students, aged 26 and over to opt-in, so they can start saving ⅓ on their rail fares   

Catherine Lyver from Railcard.co.uk said “Returning to university can be a big commitment, and we hope to make things a little easier by reminding mature college and uni students in full-time education, that they too are eligible for the 16-25 Railcard. At just £30 for one year, students can make an average saving of £140 annually on their train travel with a 16-25 Railcard. Whether taking field trips or making weekends visits, you’ll have made back the cost in just a few trips”. 

This year Railcard.co.uk is encouraging mature students embarking on their higher education journeys, whether for the first time or returning to their studies, to get their 16-25 Railcard at www.Railcard.co.uk and start enjoying all the additional benefits that university life has to offer!  

For more great offers and to purchase your Railcard today, visit www.railcard.co.uk      

-Ends- 

Notes to Editors 

For more information or any queries, please contact [email protected]  

For further details regarding the eligibility terms and conditions for the 16-25 Railcard - visit our  mature students frequently asked questions page.

*Statistics are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Association’s latest report, including data up to the academic year of 21/22 of students aged 25+. See here .

About Railcards  

With a Railcard, rail users can save 1/3 off most rail fares across Britain, saving an average of £142 a year on rail fares. At just £30 a year, most Railcard customers make the cost back in just one or two journeys, whether visiting family, making new memories with friends or just exploring somewhere new. Visiting Railcard.co.uk gives all the options available, whether you’re 16-25, 26-30, or 60+, and whether you travel solo, as a couple, or as a family, there is pretty much a Railcard for everyone. For more information visit www.Railcard.co.uk  

About National Rail 

National Rail manages products and services on behalf of the rail industry. National Rail provides customers with journey planning, real time, fares and rail-related information. National Rail also helps customers save 1/3 on most rail journeys (and 60% on kids’ fares) with Railcards. For more information visit www.Railcard.co.uk. For more information on journey planning, fares and booking travel assistance visit www.NationalRail.co.uk  

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What travelcards & discounts can I get on public transport?

Studying in London is a unique experience compared to other universities. Whilst the capital offers an unrivalled amount of things to see and do, it can at first be challenge. Although there are a few discount options available to help reduce costs, understanding which one is best and most suitable can in itself be a confusing process. Most students are aware of the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard, but there are also other, lesser known discount railcards. So, which one is the best? The simple answer is that it depends entirely on you - how frequently you use the transport network, and during which times.

Important to know:   If you’re travelling on public transport in London, check the  Transport for London (TfL) to see which services are running, plus y ou can sign up for email updates from TfL.

What is the 18+ Student Oyster card and how can I get one?

The 18+ Oyster entitles you to 30% off travelcards and Bus and Tram season tickets. It is available to full-time King’s students living in the Greater London area, and you apply online using the TfL website at a cost of £20. You’ll simply need your course dates, the student number on your ID card, as well as a photo and your email. Applying a discounted travelcard to an Oyster gives peace of mind that you won’t spend any more than the amount you’ve already paid. However, bear in mind there is no discount to pay-as-you-go fares with an 18+ Oyster. You could be overpaying for a travelcard if you aren’t using the tube or buses frequently, so it is worth considering the other option before handing over £20 to TfL. We recommend reading the detail of what the benefits are, as well as the eligibility criteria for this travel card at TfL 18+ Student Oyster photocard . If you are eligible and wish to apply, please refer to our specific guidance when applying as a King’s student in the guidance below. Important to know: If you take a break from your studies, you won’t be eligible for the 18+ Oyster card for the duration of your interruption.

How do I apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard?

Full-time students can apply for a Transport for London (TfL) 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which provides a 30% discount on travel in London. You can  apply online  via the dedicated TfL site and will need a digital photograph and a credit/debit card. You can check your eligibility at  TfL 18+ Student Oyster which also includes important information about how and when applications will be validated. Steps when making your application

When you make your application, please ensure that you select King’s College London as the institution: ‘King's College London, James Clerk Maxwell Building, 57 Waterloo Road.’ (institution code 0403).

If selecting the institution from a list, make sure to select King's College London, and not the NHS Foundation Trust or “King's London.”

If you don’t apply to the correct 'King's College London' your application will be rejected by another institution and you may have to make a new application and incur the £20 administration fee again.

When entering your Course Details (Step 3) you will be asked to provide your Student enrolment (ID) Number. This is the 7 or 8 digit number on your student card. Please do not enter the ID that begins with a “K” as this may cause delays in approving your application.

Important to know:

Most part-time students and students on a break/interruption of study are not eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard. Please refer to the more detailed guidance at  TfL 18+ Student Oyster and to our guidance on interruptions for undergraduate students or postgraduate taught students .

The King's Student Funding Office confirms whether applicants are registered as full-time for TfL.

Applications  cannot be approved until the first day of term , so the Student Funding Office will begin approving application from then onwards.

How long will it take for my Oyster application to be approved? The Student Funding Office approves all Oyster card applications directly with TfL. It takes a couple of weeks for this to come through at the start of term, but these are approved as soon as possible. 

What is the 16+ Student Oyster card and can I get one?

If you are still 17 on the 31 August ahead of starting your degree course (usually September), you should be able apply for this discount without university approval, and it will remain valid until your 18 th birthday.

Foundation courses can count as level 3; this means that if you are 18 and studying on the King’s International Foundation course, you can apply for this discount but because of your age, you’ll need to get approval from King’s for this.

To apply (for students on Foundation courses):

Submit a Form Request and upload your application form.

We will check your record and ensure you meet the relevant criteria, and then sign and stamp the form for you, returning it to you via email.

If you're eligible, we will then let you know - at which point please book an appointment to come a collect your form in person.

Important to know: When seeking to apply for this discount travelcard, please make sure you read all the information at 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and please refer to the TfL Eligibility criteria before applying . If your application is rejected because you are ineligible, you run the risk of losing your application fee. If you are at all unsure if you are eligible, please seek advice from TfL .

What is the National Rail 16-25 Railcard and can I get one?

Important to know: When it comes to the railcard, there is no discount to peak fares Monday-Friday 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 or to bus fares. How can I apply?

If you’re aged between 16-25 years , you can do it all online yourself, opting for a digital or plastic railcard at 16-25 Railcard .

If you’re over 25 , you are best to apply for the  26-30 Railcard .

If you’re over 30 and a full-time student , you’ll need to start off your application online and then you’ll be directed to a Mature Student Railcard application form, which we’ll need to sign and stamp for you. Please:

If you would like to collect this in paper form in person, please ensure you have still logged a  Form Request  and uploaded your application form first, and let us know through your enquiry if you want to collect the completed form in person.

• Students studying on a distance learning course don’t qualify for a railcard. Please visit the  16-25 railcard eligibility  for more information.

I’m a part-time student; am I eligible for this railcard?

We will check your record and ensure you meet the relevant criteria by liaising directly with your department for confirmation, and then sign and stamp the form for you, returning it to you via email.

This railcard is not tied to your student status but rather your age; if you’re under 25, you can apply whether you’re a student or not.

Always carry your 16-25 Railcard when buying tickets and travelling.

If you’re unsure if you’re eligible for this railcard, visit 16-25: Are you eligible?

What is the National Rail 26-30 Railcard and can I get one?

A valid passport or UK Driving Licence to verify your identity.

A digital passport-style photo saved to your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

A debit or credit card.

The  Railcard app .

Check when and with which ticket(s) you are permitted to use your 26-30 railcard by visiting  Where and when can I use my Railcard?

Always carry your 26-30 Railcard when buying tickets and travelling.

I’m a mature or part-time student; am I eligible for this railcard?

Both the 26-30 and the 16-25 railcards are dependent on your age, so you don’t have to be a student to apply. Anyone under 31 is covered by either one of the railcards without needing any further approval – you can apply directly through the website. The main difference comes if you are studying and over 30; for this you’re best to refer to details for the 16-25 railcard.

Comparing the 18+ Student Oyster card and 16-25 Railcard: which student travel card is right for me?

If you are not using public transport frequently but instead walking or cycling to university and only using the tube occasionally, the 18+ Oyster may not be worthwhile. To check fares for travel across the different zones using the various payment methods, refer to TfL 18+ Student fares . Unless you travel very regularly on pay-as-you-go fares, a 16-25 Railcard may be more appropriate to save money on off-peak fares, when using the tube or city trains to see friends or explore London for leisure. Even if you use the tube frequently on one day, fares automatically cap at the zone rate, ensuring you can’t spend any more than this in one day. Caps can increase year on year, so if you think you might stick to standard pay-as-you-go, we recommend checking TfL’s Pay as you go caps . The 16-25 railcard offers an additional ⅓ off daily caps when using the tube off-peak bringing the cap down further. On the other hand, if you are regularly using transport to travel into university and at peak times, the discounted travelcard allows for unlimited journeys on a weekly or monthly basis, and so may make the 18+ Oyster better value. If you do opt for the 18+ Oyster, you can still apply a 16-25 railcard discount allowing for the best of both worlds. You can opt for a discounted travelcard in the weeks you use public transport frequently whilst allowing for a pay-as-you-go discount when not using transport frequently outside of term time. If you are living in Zone 2, you may opt for a Zone 1-2 weekly travelcard to get to university, but use the 16-25 Railcard when you make journeys to Zone 3 and beyond to explore areas outside of Central London. A combination of the two allows for maximum flexibility. In the end, it depends entirely on your personal use. It’s a good idea to check how much you are using public transport to see if the total regularly exceeds or is below the cost of a travelcard for your zone. To work out what you’re spending your money on to help you budget better, refer to our guide on managing your money .

Additional support for students with disabilities  

I’m a disabled student living in London, can I apply for a freedom pass?

If you live in a London borough and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass, which can provide free access to public transport across the Transport for London network. For further guidance on how to submit an application, visit the London Councils webpage ​​​​​​.

Step 1: Make sure you're using either an Oyster or Contactless Card

Paper ticket fares are incredibly expensive in London, and nowadays often unnecessary when so many credit and debit cards have the contactless feature.

You will know if your debit card is contactless depending on whether it has the contactless symbol. Though contactless removes the need to top-up, discounts cannot be applied and it can be more difficult to keep track of spending.

Adult Oyster cards are available at ticket machines at any Tube station for a £5. Even if you opt to apply for an 18+ Oyster, it is worth paying this while you wait for your 18+ Oyster, because it can sometimes take a couple of weeks for the university to approve this for you.

Step 2: How much are you using transport and when?

To keep track of usage, make sure to register your Oyster Card online following the instructions on the TfL website. Once you have done this, you can view journey history and see daily expenditure.

You may wish to set up a Contactless and Oyster account which also has a matching app , which allows you to check your journey history, easily top-up credit and you’ll get notifications when your credit runs low.

Keeping track of your journeys and your spending means you can total the weekly and estimate the monthly and annual costs, and compare this with the cost of discounted travelcards for each zone. For details on fares across a range of transport types in the capital visit TfL Find fares .

Step 3: Apply for the discount cards

If you find you are exceeding the cost of a travelcard via pay-as-you-go fares it is likely that an 18+ Oyster is a sound investment and can be applied for online. Please refer to our guidance in How do I apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard?

If you are only occasionally using public transport and therefore coming in below the cost of a travelcard, or simply want both discounts and the option of discounts on trains throughout the UK, you can apply for the 16-25 Railcard online .

Buses are almost always cheaper than the tube and the Hopper Fare gives you unlimited journeys, made within 1 hour of touching in.

Remember to tap in and tap out at all stations even if there are no barriers. Forgetting to tap both in and out on the tube will lead to a penalty fare .

King’s Student Funding Office confirm student attendance to TfL for applications to be approved. September and October are very busy periods as many students apply for the 18+ Oyster card, so bear in mind you may need to wait; please allow at least 3 weeks for processing.

How can I travel around London on a budget?

If you’d like to minimise your travel on public transport and want an alternative cheap mode of transport, you could try  Santander Cycles . This is an easy bike hire system with no need to book in advance. You can simply hire a cycle by going to your nearest docking station terminal with a debit or credit card. Be sure to take your card with you; while contactless cards are accepted, but contactless devices including phones and smartwatches, are not .

You can also download the free Santander Cycles app  and pay for the hire using the app instead. For up to 30 minutes, you can ride an unlimited journey for just £2. Every additional 30 minutes will be charged at £2. Remember to return your cycle within 24 hours to your nearest docking station terminal. Otherwise, you may be charged.

The Money Mentors have also put together some tips in their blog  Getting around London: practical tips .

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