Undergraduate students waiting for a tram in the Old Market Square, Nottingham City Centre - November 2021.Lily Pearce (braids); Emily Hay (orange hoodie) and Fearne Darbyshire (curly blonde hair).

Travelling to Nottingham from outside the UK

Everything you need to know about travelling to Nottingham once you have reached the UK - a guide for international students.

We're delighted that you have decided to us at the University of Nottingham - we can't wait to meet you.

But first, we need to get you here.

You may have travelled a long way from your home country to the UK, so the last thing you want is to land with your luggage with no travel plans and no idea where to go.

We're here to make sure you arrive safe and sound, ready to embrace life in your home away from home. This article will cover:

  • Planning ahead
  • Travel by train
  • Travel by bus
  • Travel by taxi
  • Transport connections
  • Getting to our campus

Planning ahead

The great news is that Nottingham is easily accessible via public transport from major UK airports and cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and East Midlands Airport. It is likely that you will be flying into one of these cities.

There are a few different things to consider when arranging your trip, so it's always best to plan ahead.

Some things to keep in mind:

  • Wait until you receive your visa before booking any tickets - if there are any issues or delays, you may not be able to change your tickets.
  • Consider different options before deciding – a bus may be cheaper, but it will take longer than the train (if you have already had a long trip you may want to choose the shorter journey over saving money).
  • If you have arranged your international travel through a travel agent, ask the agent if they can help you arrange your onward journey in the UK.

Top tip

In the UK, ticket prices for trains and buses can vary, depending on the date and time of travel and the day you book the tickets. You may see one price on Monday and a new price for the same trip by Friday, so it is always best to keep an eye on prices.

Don’t wait too long, as the prices can rocket as you approach the date of travel – advance tickets are always cheaper.

 

Travel by train

Travelling to Nottingham by train from your arrival airport is usually the most popular mode of transport. British trains are generally comfortable and clean, even if you book a ‘standard’ rather than ‘first-class’ ticket, and there is usually good space for your luggage.

There are several different options to book your train tickets, including:

Things to remember:

  • In the UK face masks are optional, so it is your choice if you wear one or not.
  • Make sure you have your train or coach ticket and journey details ready for inspection.
  • If you haven't booked an advance ticket, you can buy one at the ticket office at the station before boarding.

 

Travel by bus

While travelling to Nottingham or anywhere around the UK via bus tends to be the most cost-effective option, it will add between 1-3 hours to your journey depending on where you are coming from and which service you use.

If you don’t mind the extra time there are a few services you can use:

National Express Discount

Our partnership with National Express offers a 20% discount on tickets from Heathrow to Nottingham Broadmarsh Bus Station between the 1st of September and the 2nd of October 2022. Find out more at the National Express website.

 

Travel by taxi

Travelling by taxi is a good choice for your peace of mind – no organizing travel between stations or hauling luggage around with very little pre-planning required. Depending on where you travel from in the UK, it may be expensive to book your own taxi.

We offer an airport transfer service, with fixed-price transfers provided by a trusted local taxi firm. DG Cars provides a private hire service from airports across the UK that will take you directly to your university accommodation.

If you would like to book this service, you can either:

You will need to provide them with the following information:

  • Destination
  • Number of passengers
  • How much luggage you have
  • Your flight number
  • Contact name and number or email address

You will have to pre-book and pre-pay for this service and you will be met at your arrival terminal by the driver with a name board to pick you up. (Just like the star that you are!)

Transfer fees:

Airport Location  Standard Car (1 person + luggage)
Heathrow £155
East Midlands £28
Birmingham £75
Manchester £130
Gatwick £195
Stanstead £152
Luton £135

 

Transport connections

The table below may help you plan your journey to Nottingham from our major cities and airports. These details may vary depending on the travel routes and times of the day.

 

Location

Approximate journey time

Find out more

London Heathrow (LHR)

4 hours by coach (from Victoria Coach Station) or 2 hours by train (from St Pancras International)

Transport for London

 

London Heathrow (LHR)

2 hours by train or 3 hours by coach

Heathrow Airport

London Gatwick (LGW)

3 hours by train or 5 hours by coach

Gatwick Airport

Stanstead Airport (STN)

3 hours by train or 5 hours by coach

Stanstead Airport

Luton Airport (LTN)

2 hours by train or 3 hours by coach

Luton Airport

Birmingham Airport (BHX)

2 hours by train or 2 hours by coach

Birmingham Airport

Manchester Airport (MAN)

3 hours by train or 5 hours by coach

Manchester Airport

East Midlands Airport (EMA)

45 minutes by the Nottingham Skylink bus arriving at University Park Campus or Nottingham city centre

East Midlands Airport

 

Getting to campus

You are almost here! You’re finally on the last leg of your epic journey, and you’ve made it to Nottingham. You’re on the home straight – congratulations!

Just one last bit of travel until you reach your new home. When you’ve arrived in the city, getting to campus is easy.

Whether you arrive at East Midlands Airport, Nottingham train station, or Nottingham city centre, there are a few easy ways to travel to our campuses:

  • You will find taxis parked outside Nottingham train station and in the city centre.
  • You could book a taxi with a local company, like DG Cars (see above), Nottingham Cars, or Uber.
  • The tram is available from Nottingham train station and the city centre to get to University Park Campus.
  • There are bus services from Nottingham city centre to get to University Park Campus and Jubilee campus.

Our campus maps and directions will help you find your final destination, so you can book your travel.