Getting around — railcards, buses and Oyster

Pay-as-you-go with a contactless bank card or an Oyster card automatically caps your daily and weekly spend at the same level as a Travelcard for the zones you actually travel in — you never need to buy a pass in advance. If you're under 18 this doesn't apply to you, but as a university student (usually 18+) you're eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which gives around 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes bought on top of the card — check current eligibility (full-time course, minimum weekly study hours) and the exact discount on tfl.gov.uk before applying, as rules and the discount percentage can change.

Always check your specific university's student union page first — many negotiate an exclusive discounted pass with the local operator that isn't advertised publicly.

1. 1

   Check eligibility

   Available to anyone aged 16-25, or a full-time UK student of any age. Buy it online (digital Railcard in the app) or at a staffed station — you'll need proof of age or a valid student ID/enrolment confirmation.

2. 2

   Apply it to every ticket

   Roughly a third off most Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak and Anytime fares on National Rail across England, Scotland and Wales. Some early-morning peak restrictions apply on weekdays — check before travelling.

3. 3

   Pair it with a Student Oyster in London

   The 16-25 Railcard can also be linked to your Oyster card to give a third off Travelcards bought with PAYG in some cases — confirm current rules on tfl.gov.uk, as the discount stacking rules occasionally change.

Cambridge, Oxford, York and much of Bristol and Manchester are genuinely bike-friendly, with dedicated cycle lanes and flat terrain. A secondhand bike (£60–150, ৳9,300–23,250) plus a good D-lock often pays for itself within a couple of months versus bus fares. Many city and student unions run cheap bike-share or bike-loan schemes — check yours. London's terrain is flatter than it looks and cycling can beat the Tube for many cross-town trips, but always wear a helmet and use dedicated cycle superhighways where possible.

Bangladesh is not on the UK's list of countries with a licence exchange agreement, so you generally cannot simply "swap" a Bangladeshi licence for a UK one. As a temporary resident on a Student visa, you may be able to drive using your existing Bangladeshi or International Driving Permit for a limited period from when you become resident — the exact rules on validity periods and whether you need to pass UK theory and practical tests depend on your specific licence and residency status. Because public transport covers nearly every university city well, and because car ownership involves insurance, MOT, road tax and parking costs that are punishing on a student budget, most Bangladeshi students never bother getting a UK licence during their studies. Verify current exchange rules at gov.uk before assuming either way.