When it comes to long-distance journeys, trains remain one of the most popular options among students. A 16-25 railcard is a must-have, giving you a third off train fares across the country. It costs £35 per year, but if you travel on trains regularly, you'll make that money back in savings rapidly. Through Student Beans, Trainline currently offers 15% off the cost of a railcard, bringing the cost down to £29.75. Alternatively, if you have a Santander Student bank account, you can get a free four-year railcard as part of your banking benefits.
If you prefer to travel long distances by coach, UNiDAYS offers up to 25% off National Express bookings, which is perfect for budget-friendly travel to cities across the UK.
For those planning adventures beyond the UK, there are also student discounts on flights. Through UNiDAYS, Qatar Airways and Emirates both offer 10% off fares, though terms and conditions apply. If you're after a sunny escape or a quick city break, Jet2holidays gives £100 off holiday bookings through UNiDAYS, while Loveholidays offers £55 off via Student Beans, giving great options for those looking to unwind between semesters.
With the right discounts, you can explore more, stress less, and make your student budget stretch that little bit further
Closer to home, Newcastle's transport network offers several affordable options for students. If you're 21 or under, you can travel on local buses for just £1 per single journey. Simply ask the driver for a 21 and under single and you're good to go anywhere along that route just for a pound.
Students who regularly use the Metro can make big savings with the Pop Blue card. The card itself is free, though you'll need to add a £5 top-up to activate it. Once it's ready to go, each Metro journey costs just £1, with a daily cap of £2.20. The card is available to anyone aged 16 to 21 and can be used across the entire network, stretching from Newcastle Airport to Sunderland.
Those who rely on the Metro even more might want to look into a Student Pop season ticket, available in both four-week and annual options, which are both 30% off the average season ticket. The Inner Newcastle and Inner Sunderland zones each cost £35.70 for four weeks or £398 annually, while an all zones pass costs £69.50 for four weeks or £518.50 per year.
If you're a seasoned traveller or just having an occasional trip, there are plenty of ways to cut travel costs. With the right discounts, you can explore more, stress less and make your student budget stretch that little bit further.