I have to start by telling you that as of May 5th 2011, a travel card that allows students to receive discounts for all areas of travel are unavailable. I am only aware so far of one in Ireland, called the “Student Travel card” but there is currently not an all-encompassing student travel card available to UK students.

This doesn’t mean that you should stop there, there are cards out their that you can purchase that will entitle you, as a student, to discounts when traveling via rail, coach or the underground.

I’ll start with the 18+ Student Oyster card. This is definitely worth your while for only 310. You can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster card over on the Transport for London website, or if you would prefer, you can check out Student value in order to find out more information and click through to the page you need on the Transport for London site. In order to qualify for an 18+ Student Oyster card, you must be over 18 years of age and be registered with an education establishment participating in the scheme. In order to find out whether or not your place of education participates, all you have to do is check with one of your union reps.

If you attend a University that is far away from your hometown, then it is natural to become homesick. If and when that day comes, you want to make sure that it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Luckily for you, whether you want to travel by coach or by train, there are ways that you can get discount just by being a student.

If you wish to travel by rail, the 16-25 rail card is the one for you. This is the card that Natwest used to offer along with their student account and entitles you to up to one third on rail fares throughout Great Britain. If you’re not between the ages of 16 and 25, fear not, because you too are entitled to this card provided that you can prove that you are still in full time education. You can purchase this card and experience the discounts it has to offer for a year at £26.00 or for three years at £65.00.

If you would prefer to travel by coach, then you can apply for a Young Persons Coach Card, which you may do if you are between the ages of 16 and 26, or a full time student. Flashing this card will entitle you to up to 30% discount and is well worth it at just £10. If you would like this card for 3 years, than it would cost you only £26.