Travelling to campus and around Leeds

For information on walking or running to campus, including route advice, please see our active travel page.

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 and advice on keeping your bike safe in Leeds.

If you own a bike, one way to keep it safe is by registering it with the Bike Register. Your bike’s 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.

You can also hire a bike. Leeds City Bikes are available on campus. The The Bike Hub, located near the EC Stoner Building, also offers services including bike hire and maintenance.

All our student residences are on, or close to, frequent bus routes.

Single journeys on First Bus, between our campus and University residences, cost £2. If you are going to travel regularly by bus, there are various discounted student travel tickets to help save you money. Don’t forget to take your student ID with you when you travel.

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.

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.

If you’re planning on exploring Leeds and the Yorkshire region, travelling by coach is generally cheaper than the train but 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 you’d pay for your tickets. 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. Always bring your railcard and student ID if you use a railcard to travel. You’ll be asked to show it when you board your train.

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.

Train apps

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.

There are taxi ranks 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 have no immediate access to money for a taxi, you can use the use the Veezu Student Safety Scheme 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.

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.

Parking on campus

Free parking on campus in the Orange Zone is available on evenings (5pm to 7am), weekends and university closed days for all students. To register your vehicle for this parking, email the Car Parking team at carparking@leeds.ac.uk from your University email account. In the email you will need to state your name and vehicle registration number.

If you hold a local authority Blue Badge, you must apply for a University Blue Badge Permit to park on campus—even during core hours. This permit is free, available year-round. To apply, please email the Car Parking team at carparking@leeds.ac.uk.