Travelling to campus and around Leeds

For information on walking or running to campus, please see our Active Travel page.  It includes information on travel routes, changing rooms and showers, and water refill points.

Yorkshire Runner are offering students 15% off in store and online, plus free gait analysis. Simply show your student ID card in store or use the code ‘UOL15YR’ online.

If you are cycling to campus, we have information on city cycling routes, bike hire and advice on bike safety in Leeds. Beryl electric bike hires (not affiliated with University) are also available on campus and offer student discounts. 

If you own a bike, one way to keep it safe is by registering it with the Bike Register: your bike details go on a police-approved list, which can help stop it from being stolen and make it easier to get back if it is. The University Security Services also hold BikeRegister drop-in support sessions.

All University of Leeds student residences are on, or close to, frequent bus routes. There are three main bus companies in Leeds: Arriva, Metro and First Bus.

See the University Sustainability Team’s Public Transport page for more information on bus routes, tickets and passes, and student discounts. Don’t forget to take your student ID with you when you travel.

Bus apps

Download the following bus operator apps to make your journey by bus easier:

• First Bus app on Apple Store or First Bus app on Android.
• Arriva app on Apple Store or Android
• MCard on Apple Store or MCard app on Android.

MCard  

MCard is a prepaid travel card that gives unlimited travel on buses, or trains and buses, in West Yorkshire. You can top it up with travel tickets that best suit your needs or use the MCard app to buy and store them on your phone. 

Safe nighttime travel

The Leeds University Union has several Nighttime Safety Initiatives to help you get home safely late at night, these include the free LUU Night Bus that runs during term time only.

If you’re planning on exploring Leeds and the Yorkshire region, travelling by coach is generally cheaper than the train but often takes longer. 

Most coach services run by National Express and Megabus arrive and depart at the Leeds City Bus and Coach Station in the city centre. Some National Express services also stop outside the Parkinson Building on campus.

Coach apps

Download the following apps to make your journey by coach easier:

• National Express app on Apple Store or National Express app on Android
• Megabus

If you’re planning on travelling further out of the city, trains are often faster but usually more expensive than coach travel. If you book your ticket two weeks or more in advance, you’re more likely to get a cheaper fare. You can also save money by being flexible with your travel dates and times. If you need extra assistance with your journey, contact staff at the train station. 

Railcards

Buying a Railcard will also allow you to save one third of the normal price of train tickets from most British rail providers and ticket types. While you’ll have to pay for a Railcard, this will normally last for a year and you’ll make up for what you’ve spent in train ticket savings. 

There are different Railcard options that you can choose from whether you’re a full-time student, young adult, if you travel with children or with another person regularly. Mature students of any age in full-time education are eligible for the 16-25 Railcard if they provide proof of student status when they apply.   

Always bring your railcard and student ID card if you use a Railcard to travel. You’ll be asked to show it when you are on the train.

Download the following apps to make your journey by train easier:

• National Rail Enquiries app on Apple Store or National Rail Enquiries app on Android
• Trainline app on Apple Store or Trainline app on Android
• MCard app on Apple Store or MCard app on Android.

Apps for individual train companies can sometimes have lower fees than Trainline and often allow booking across companies: 

• Northern 
• TransPennine Express
• CrossCountry
• LNER 

There are taxi ranks (waiting areas) outside the Parkinson Building and at the bus, coach and train stations, as well as at points around the city centre. 

Only take a marked taxi car, and ask the driver beforehand for an estimation of how much the journey will cost. If you require emergency transport and have no immediate access to money for a taxi, you can use the use the Student Safe Rides Scheme (a partnership between Veezu and Leeds University Union) to get home. The scheme allows you to be taken home safely and to pay later, if you have no money on you.

The Uber App also works in Leeds. You can pre-book and pay for a taxi via the Uber app on your phone.

Taxi apps

Download the following apps to make your journey by taxi easier:

• Uber app on Apple Store or Uber app on Android
• Veezu app on Apple Store or Veezu app on Android.

The University Estates team has information on student parking on campus and University Blue Badge Permits.

If you're a student from outside the UK, you should check all the rules and procedures for driving in the UK as there are very strict legal requirements.