London is diverse. London is gorgeous. London is weird…in a good way. Despite the 8M+ people living in the capital of the UK, London does not feature in the top 30 largest cities in the world. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not crowded or chaotic, especially around rush hours. As a student in London, we know there’s a lot to look forward to, but queuing up for bus tickets and spending time in the crammed tube won’t be making the list.

Consequently, we’ve designed the ultimate student guide to getting around London. In the following paragraphs, you can find a comprehensive summary of London’s transport opportunities for the city’s student population. Let’s tackle transportation choices and take it one by one.

1. London’s famous tube

There are plenty of efficient underground links and the metro is generally considered to be the fastest and cheapest way to get around the city. There are 9 zones and 11 lines, with zone number 1 covering Central London and the other zones spreading out from the downtown area. Most residents quickly get accustomed to the map of the underground system and have the ability to plan alternative routes on the spot. When it comes to escalators, don’t forget to stand on the right and walk on the left, in order to blend in. 

2. London’s iconic buses 

Double-deckers feature in iconic popular media and sights and are often among the first thing that foreigners think about when mentioning London. They’re not only representative, but they’re also fun to use since they allow quite a lot of sightseeing. Buses are one of the most popular means of transport and they offer students great value. That is because they are cheaper than using the tube, with only £1.50 a ride per ride, but they can take longer and be subject to traffic delays. Finally, many bus routes have 24-hour services. 

3. London’s trains and trams 

The overground train network takes you outside the city and international students can enjoy the various benefits of a 16-25 Railcard which offers discounted fares. Early booking is always a good idea and discounts can help you save around a third of the total cost of your trip. Trams are also a good idea for certain areas of the city, such as the south, with trams working very frequently in Croydon or Wimbledon, for example. The overall tram network has 39 stops and you can expect a tram every 10 minutes or so. If you’re looking to travel to Docklands, East and South-East London, the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is a great solution.

4. Taxis

London’s famous black taxis are comfortable, but students usually opt for cheaper alternatives. Minicabs, for instance, are especially popular among the student population, since they are not metered, but should be booked beforehand. On the other hand, you can stop Black Cabs anywhere and anytime, but the fares are metered, with a minimum charge of £3.80.

5. London’s river transport

The fantastic view and the opportunity to avoid traffic represent two of the main reasons for using riverboat transportation across the River Thames. With a total network of 23 stops, you can use “Uber boats” in three areas, namely East Zone, Central Zone and West Zone, with fares depending on the area you’re traveling to. If this means of transportation is for you, then buying a River Roamer ticket for one day is much cheaper. 

6. Bicycles

Traveling by bike is the perfect way to save money and get exercise. Central London traffic might prove to be a bit of a headache and you do need to be familiar with the laws, taking care of yourself with a helmet and protecting the bike with a good lock. If you’re also brave enough to put up with the unpredictable weather, biking around can be fun!

Final tips:

• Rush hours are usually between 06:30 and 09:30 and between 16:00 and 19:00.
• Getting an Oyster card is essential, as you’ll have plenty of discounts for the tube, bus, and other means of transportation. 
• Walking is always an option, especially for trips that are not lengthy. Get to know the city by foot!
• There’s a great travel app that helps you get around London and it’s called Citymapper. 

Great Britain is an extremely attractive place for all young people looking to live a totally special experience during their college years and also to get the best possible education, one that will prepare them for the long journey ahead. Still, there are some who are not convinced. For them, we have 5 reasons why they should study in Great Britain in 2022:

The highest quality of education

Great Britain is home to some of the oldest colleges and universities in the world. And they’re not just old. They’re also really, really good. The famous Oxford and Cambridge universities rank constantly among the best in the world, with the best results, helping to bring forward some of the brightest and most successful people in the world.

But the quality of education in Great Britain isn’t dependent on fame. Even those lesser known colleges and universities offer awesome courses as well as some of the best training one can hope for. It is all because of the Quality Assurance Agency. The QAA is an independent organisation which constantly evaluates the quality of UK colleges and universities. It makes sure that students get the best possible courses and training, it checks results and it offers feedback to universities, helping them improve.

In the United Kingdom, universities and colleges have the latest equipment and feature state-of-the-art technology. The staff is always professional and practical knowledge is valued above all else. All of these guarantee that, if you choose to study in Great Britain in 2022, you won’t have to worry about your future.

Personal growth is one of the best reasons to study in Great Britain in 2022

Nothing compares to the experience of moving to a foreign country, interacting with different cultures, speaking and studying in a different language. It’s something really special. It is life changing and it will definitely help you grow both as a professional and as a human being.

European students who study in Great Britain find out really fast what it means to be independent, to adapt to things you’re not used to. After completing their courses, they will all be transformed in much more complex human beings and they will be much more responsible. These lessons are extremely essential in order to become successful.

It is an experience you won’t find anywhere else

We talk about countries like Great Britain on a daily basis. We talk about them so much that we tend to feel that we know everything about them, that they are ordinary places where nothing special ever happens. It is not true.

Great Britain is a unique place. In fact, there is no other place on Earth that is as diverse as the United Kingdom. If you don’t believe us, you just have to check its college campuses. There, you will find students from all over the world, tens and hundreds of different cultures, all in once place. You will explore countless opportunities and career choices. And, most importantly, you will have the best time of your life!

It is the best possible investment

Firstly, when you invest in education, you invest in yourself. It is the best possible investment you can make, one that sooner or later will definitely pay off. And the profit will be much higher if your investment takes you to the halls of a university which can offer you practical knowledge and access to decision makers in the industries that are relevant to you. These will help you become a successful professional.

In the end, you will earn a diploma which is recognised all over the globe, one that will guarantee the high quality of education that you received. This counts a lot in the eyes of any future employer.

You can study in Great Britain in 2022 for free

Finally, one of the best reasons why you should study in Great Britain in 2022 is the fact that you can do it for free.

The British government is not afraid to invest in students, even European students. It actively encourages education, by giving students access to funds which they can use to pay their tuitions and to cover other costs.

Getting these funds might look complicated. However, the process can be simplified with the help of a student recruitment agency, such as Atlantic London.

With more than 10 years in the education sector, Atlantic London is now the largest company of its kind in the London area. Over the years, it helped thousands of students find the right courses and universities for them and to get the financing they needed in order to finish their studies. You can check to see if you’re eligible to receive financing from the state by clicking here.