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Travelling to Lancaster independently
TRAVELLING FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT TO LANCASTER INDEPENDENTLY
By train : There are trains directly from Manchester Airport to Lancaster every hour throughout the day and early evening. Journeys take between 1½ to 2 hours. You can check exact train times in advance online at www.nationalrail.co.uk or when you arrive at the train station. Some journeys are not direct and may involve changing trains at least once.
A single (one-way) train ticket currently costs approximately £19, or if you already have a Young Person's Rail Card (16-25), it will cost approximately £10. Please note that Sunday service is less frequent than other days.
From Lancaster train station, a taxi can be arranged to take you up to the University. They are available just outside the Station and will cost between £6 -£9 depending on luggage and passengers. Ask the taxi driver to drop you at your college.
By taxi : If your flight arrives late in the evening, or very early in the morning, we would advise you to book an airport taxi service before you leave home. You should expect the cost to be between around £55 and £65. The taxi firm will need your flight details and anticipated arrival time. They will then ensure that they meet your flight and take you to your college, even if the flight is delayed. If you do not pre-arrange a taxi, you could take a taxi from outside each of the airport terminals. However they usually charge a lot more than a pre-booked taxi firms. For this reason we do not normally recommend this.
See below for a list of pre-bookable taxi firms in Lancaster:-
Advance Travel (5 passengers & luggage £60 single journey)
+44 1524 730486
www.advance-travel.co.uk
Airport Shuttle
Ask for Peter
+44 1524 752646
email: paulinecookson@gmail.com
Go Cabs
+44 1524 400030 (wheelchair accessible)
H1 UK Airport Taxis Service
Ask for Mark
+44 1524 751908 or Mobile: 07776 176779
email: h1ukairporttaxis@hotmail.com
Norton Taxis
+44 1524 855224
www.nortontaxis.co.uk
Woodclose Private Hire
+44 1539563303 (wheelchair accessible)
Bay Transfers
+44 1524 859309 (between 8am and 9pm)
Mobile 07984896913 (24-hour line - Mini Bus)
Mobile 07800873571 (24-hour line - Estate Car)
Email: baytransfers@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.baytransfers.co.uk
When you arrive on campus
Please go to the Porter's Lodge of the college in which you have been allocated a room. If the Porter is unavailable please wait - he may be helping other new arrivals. If you have problems or if you do not know where you will be accommodated you should go to the Reception Building where assistance is always available from one of the Security Officers.
TRAVELLING TO LANCASTER FROM LONDON HEATHROW AND LONDON GATWICK AIRPORTS
From either Heathrow or Gatwick airport, you need to take a train to Euston Train Station, in central London , where you will be able to get your onward train to Lancaster .
The quickest way to get from Heathrow to Euston is by Heathrow Express (train) ( www.heathrowexpress.com ) to Paddington Station and then by tube train from there, to Euston Station. The journey from Heathrow to Paddington takes between 15 and 23 minutes (depending on terminal of departure. Tickets currently cost approx £25.
Frequent bus and coach services also connect Heathrow with destinations across the UK . Most coach services operate from the central bus station, which can be reached by the subways linking Terminals 1, 2 & 3. You can get a coach directly to Euston Railway station from Heathrow ready for your onward journey to Lancaster . Alternatively you can continue your journey by coach to Lancaster . Please note that you may not be allowed on the bus/coach if you have more than 2 suitcases (20 kg each). See the following website for details of fares and coach times: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm
If you are arriving at Gatwick Airport , take the Gatwick Express ( www.gatwickexpress.com ) to Victoria Station , then take a tube train to Euston Station in central London , from where you can get your onward train to London . The Gatwick Express takes 30-35 minutes and currently costs £14.90.
Please note: We do not recommend getting a taxi from either Heathrow or Gatwick Airports to Euston Train Station. It is a very long way and the fare will be extremely expensive.
From Euston Station, trains depart regularly every hour for Lancaster during the week (but less frequently on Saturdays and Sundays). The journey takes about 3 hours (or about 3½ hours on Sundays). Not all trains go directly to Lancaster and so, on some journeys it will be necessary to change trains somewhere during the journey. For information about train times, ask at Euston Station or check the National Rail Enquiries website at www.nationalrail.co.uk .
There are several kinds of ticket prices. The ticket agents will be able to give you accurate information about the best trains and cheapest fares. Be sure you know if and when you have to change trains. Don't assume a single ticket is cheaper than a return ticket. Because of special offers it can be better to buy a return ‘Saver' ticket - please ask for advice . If you get a ‘Saver' ticket the cost is about £60 return on any day (Return part of the ticket is valid for one calendar month) and you can reduce this to about £40 if you have a Young Person's Rail Card.
Please ask for advice at the rail station.
By coach (National Express)
For current coach timetables, you are advised to look at the following web site: http://www.nationalexpress.com/ . Please note that even a direct coach can take 6-7 hours to get from London to Lancaster , and if there are stops on the way travelling time may be increased. However the cost, currently at £25, is cheaper than going by train one way. If you wish to travel to Lancaster on the coach you are advised to book a seat in advance. See the National Express website above for further details.
STUDENT DISCOUNTS ON TRAVEL IN THE UK
Air Travel : You can save up to 30% on international ?ights if you have an international student identity card (ISIC), which currently costs £7 for up to 15 months validity. Most travel agents should sell these, and further information is available on the website, www.ISICcard.com .
Rail: The prices quoted for rail travel can be reduced if you have a “Young Person's Rail Card”. This is a rail discount card, valid for one year, for people who are between 16 and 25. It can be purchased from any major railway station at a cost of £20 and will give you a 30% discount on many rail fares throughout the UK . More information is available at http://www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk/
To buy a Young Person's Rail Card you will need proof of age and one passport size photograph if you are 25 or under. You should enquire about this BEFORE you buy your rail ticket to Lancaster . If you are 26 or over you can still apply for a Young Person's Railcard, but you will need proof that you are a full-time student at a recognized educational establishment. You can ask the University to stamp your application form after you have registered .
Bus: You can purchase a Young Person's Coach Card (discount card for young people between the ages of 16 and 26) for use on National Express coaches, which costs £10 for one year or £25 for 3 years validity. You will need to provide either proof of age or that you are a full-time student, together with a passport-sized photograph. This card will allow you to buy coach tickets at a reduction of up to 30%. The cards can be bought at airport terminals, coach stations and some travel agents. You should ask about the card BEFORE you buy a coach ticket. More information on the website: http://www.nationalexpress.com/
Lancaster University Reception
+44 (0)1524 65201.
When telephoning Lancaster from outside UK , dial +44 1524 followed by the telephone number.
When telephoning Lancaster from within the UK , just dial 01524, then the telephone number.
Lancaster University telephone extensions can be accessed directly between:
09:00 and 17:30 Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 09:00 and 17.00 on Thursday/ Friday).
In the case of an emergency out of normal working hours, please call the University Reception. Security Officers will do their best to assist you
Student Based Services:-
01524 592525 (10:00– 17:00 Mon – Fri)
MAKING PHONE CALLS AND EMAILING YOUR FAMILY ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT LANCASTER
Telephones
• There are a number of public phones around the campus, which either take a credit card, or cash (10p, 20p, 50p, £1 coins). This may be the easiest way to phone home when you first arrive in Lancaster . Paying using cash will probably also be the cheapest option.
• All student rooms in colleges have the facility to make and receive calls. In order to make a call you will first need to buy a phone card known as Dog 'n'' Bone card from the Lancaster University Student Union (LUSU) shop, or the post office on campus. For more detailed information ask the staff in your college.
• Don't forget to check that your mobile phone will work in the UK
Once you officially register as a student at Lancaster University you will be given a library card which will enable you to gain full access to the University email system.
Have a good trip and we look forward to seeing you!
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