Daily Transportations

🚃 Trains

Purchasing Tickets

Trains are usually priced for £3 (as a base price) but it depends on the length of your journey!

You can purchase tickets in the counter or use the applications on your mobile phone. There are several applications you can use to purchase tickets:

1. Trainline (most popular)

2. Trainpal

You can also purchase different type of tickets like Advanced tickets (you can only use the train on the specific time that is written on the ticket) or Anytime travel/return (you can travel at any time you want during the same day with the ticket you purchased) or Off-peak times.

Tip: Travel during Off-peak times for cheaper price: Travel from 09.30 AM but not between 16.35 PM and 18.00 PM. However, if you decide to purchase an off-peak times, you are not allowed to travel during times outside the allocated time so make sure to purchase the right types of tickets. Purchasing a return trip are also usually the same price with a single trip, so purchasing a return trip would reduce more costs!

Tip: Make sure to check whether your campus have partnerships with trains. Sometimes they'll provide Flexi-tickets subscription which allows you to buy a term time (usually a 6-month) ticket to travel unlimited from 1 particular station to Uni's station. This usually cost from £80

Buy Railcard for discounts! For those living longer in Birmingham and will often use trains to commute, we recommend purchasing a railcard. This will give you discounts up to ⅓ price on every train ticket you'll purchase. Just don't forget to apply your railcards when purchasing your train tickets in the app!

There are a lot of types of Railcards that you can purchase, make sure you choose the most suitable one for you!:

1. Age 16-17 Saver

• For everyone aged 16 or 17

• Just £35 a year

• 50% off most train fares!

2. Age 16-25 Railcard

• For everyone aged 16-25, and mature students

• Just £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years

• 1/3 off rail travel

3. Age 26-30 Railcard

• For everyone aged 26 to 30

• Just £35 a year

• 1/3 off rail travel

4. Disabled Persons Railcard

• For people with a disability that meets the eligibility criteria(external link, opens in a new tab)

• Just £20 for 1 year or £54 for 3 years

• 1/3 off rail travel for you and an adult companion

5. Family & Friends Railcard

• For up to 4 adults travelling together with up to 4 kids

• Just £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years

• 1/3 off rail travel for adults and 60% off for kids

6. Network Railcard

• For travel in the Network Railcard area(external link, opens in a new tab)

• Just £35 a year

• 1/3 off rail fares in London and the South East

7. Senior Railcard

• For everyone aged 60 and over

• Just £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years

• 1/3 off rail travel

8. Two Together Railcard

• For you and the person you travel with most

• Just £35 a year

• 1/3 off rail fares when you travel together

9. Veterans Railcard

• For UK Veterans

• Just £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years

• 1/3 off most rail travel for you and a named companion

Tips: purchase railcards using discounts which are usually available during national holidays or certain apps

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How to use the trains!

1. Make sure to purchase your ticket before riding a train,

2. Simply scan the barcode on your tickets to open the gates,

3. Make sure to check the platforms of your train which are displayed in your tickets,

4. Stand behind the yellow line in the platforms when waiting for you train to arrive ,

5. The doors in the train don't open automatically. When the train stops and the button at the doors are blinking with a green light, make sure to press them to open the doors. Do this when entering/ existing the trains,

6. Exit the train station by scanning your ticket barcode through the gates.

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Popular Train Routes

These are the most popular stops (written orderly based on train routes)

1. Selly Oak Station: usually where a lot of student housings, grocieries, and restaurants are

2. University Station (UoB Campus)

3. Five Ways Station : stop here to go to Brindley Place (Birmingham's Canal), Symphony Hall, Utilita Arena (for All England), and other great restaurants, hotels, clubs and pubs!

4. Birmingham New Street Station: Birmingham's city centre, Bullring Shopping Mall, China Town

5. Aston (Aston Univeristy)

🚌 Bus

Purchasing Tickets

• Prices:

  
• Use contactless debit/credit card/ ApplePay: Tap in the red box reader when entering the bus

• Pay cash on bus: simply tell the driver which ticket you want to get, and insert your cash in the red box. Don't forget to take your tickets which will be automatically printed in a small box behind the driver

• or purchase using the NHX app: purchase before entering the bus, activate your ticket in the app and scan the barcode on the bottom of the reader when entering the bus (check the app for visualization)

How to use the Bus!

1. Purchase when entering the bus

2. Either sit on the designated seats or stand at the lower level (buses don't allow you to stand at the upper level)

3. Press any of the stop button before your next stop, press it until the red stop writing turns on in the bus (or usually when you hear a bell)

4. You don't have to tap out when existing the bus because the fare charge you for how many journey you are riding not how long your journey are.

🚕 Online Taxi

Choices of Online Taxis

• Prices can vary depending on distance, duration, and demand.

Bolt tends to be cheaper than Uber because of the many discounts. But you can Double-check each trip for benchmark price.

• Don't be late at the Pick-Up point. Penalty fare applies for every minute of delay.

• Payment using card / PayPal or cash

🚌 Coach (to travel outside Birmingham)

Prices can vary between applications, bus service providers, and city distances.

• Flix Bus (cheapest but most unreliable and uncomfortable seats)

• Megabus

• National Express

(+) you don't have to hustle around because you don't have to change buses during the travel which is good when you bring luggages compared to trains. (+) you don't have to worry about luggage space because each person can bring up to 1 large luggage + 1 cabin bag. (+) the price tends to be cheaper than trains (+) toilet and usb ports are available on the bus

(-) takes longer than trains (-) not good for those with sensitivity to car-motion sickness (-) you have to arrive at most 15 mins before departure for boarding

Tips: The closer you buy the the ticket towards the date of your travel, the more expensive it gets. Consider buying tickets well in advance (Much cheaper)

🚲 Cycle/ E-Scooters

Pros: (+) Anywhere 2x - 3x faster than walking (+) Environment and bike-friendly and accessible roads (+) The price of bicycles is very affordable (second-hand). (+) Energy-efficient, cost-effective (if using public transport) (+) Bicycles can be taken onto the train, but not the bus. (+) Many bike parking spots are widely available across the university, supermarkets, shops, etc. (+) Get a free D-Lock (For UoB Students only)

Contras: (-) E-Scooter is not permitted on public transport (Bus). (-) Lock it, or Lose it (Bike Theft always looks for opportunities) (-) Some highways have steep inclines or declines. (-) Gets really cold and windy during autumn, winter and spring, make sure to buy gloves!

🚶Walking

People in Birmingham loves to walk! 15-30 minute walk is very doable!

Make sure to check the weather forecast before going out for a walk. This allows you to wear the right outfit to avoid being wet/ getting cold (use scarfs, gloves, raincoats, etc.)!

Make sure to purchase a sturdy umbrella since the wind can be really strong! Might be useful to bring it even when the weather forecast says it would be sunny since UK's weather is very unpredictable.