Travelling by train is an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to get around, especially for students balancing studies, work, and social activities. Catching the train is a great way to travel, making commuting between home, university, and beyond easy. You could even get some last-minute coursework done on the train!
Check out our tips for student train travel including potential discounts, the best times to travel and useful travel advice.
Planning your journey
Use our app
Download the Northern app for real-time updates, timetables, and ticket purchasing. This is perfect for last-minute changes to your schedule.
Timetables and service updates
Stay informed with the latest timetables and service updates to ensure your journey runs smoothly. This is particularly important around exam times and university holidays.
- Live departures and arrivals: Stay updated on the latest departure and arrival times, useful for coordinating with lectures or heading out for dinner with friends.
Service disruptions: Get updates on any planned engineering works or unexpected disruptions to avoid delays.
Destinations for students
We travel to a range of University towns, from Newcastle to York to Liverpool, meaning no matter where your friends end up, you can still travel to them for cheap. Browse our range of destinations and don't miss out on life-long memories with your closest pals this educational year. Travel with a student 16-25 Railcard and make your travel even cheaper with Northern and our collection of tickets to help you save.
Find cheap train tickets with Northern and 16-25 Railcards
Use our app or website to find cheap student train tickets without booking fees! Save up to 60% when you buy train tickets in advance.
Another way to guarantee savings is to purchase an off-peak train ticket. You can use your student Railcard to get the best savings. It's worth noting these are only available at specific times, and on specific routes but if you've got flexibility this is a great option. Plus, it means avoiding rush hour!
Railcards are one of the easiest ways to get a student discount on train travel – saving up to a 1/3 on train tickets for a whole year and only costing £30. Purchasing a 16-25 Railcard is a no-brainer if you regularly commute to university or college using the train.
Great savings on student train travel with a railcard
Onboard facilities
Wi-Fi and charging points
Stay connected with free Friendly Wi-Fi available on our trains, and charging points for your devices – perfect for studying on the go or staying in touch with friends.
Accessibility
Northern is committed to making travel accessible for all students, including those with disabilities. Accessible seating, toilets, and step-free access are available on most trains and at many stations.
Taking your bike on the train
Northern encourages the use of bikes and provides limited spaces, free of charge, on our trains for cycle storage. Currently, our trains can only carry a maximum of two bikes per train, but we are exploring how to increase each train’s capacity for bikes, thereby making cycle-train usage a more viable option. Find out more about taking your bike on the train here.
Your luggage
We know that as a student, there may be times when you're taking a lot more than just yourself onto the train. Don't worry, Northern trains have plenty of room for your belongings, whether it's move-in day and you're shifting your life over to university or you're just in need of your favourite keepsakes from home. Travel with Northern, and make moving a cinch!
Tips and tricks for travelling as a student
Travelling doesn't need to break the bank, even if you're commuting every day. So, let us take you through the top tips for travelling as a student to make your journeys easier, cheaper, and more enjoyable.
Grab a Railcard
We've mentioned it before, but if you're planning to travel throughout your academic year, then a student 16-25 Railcard is a must-have, saving you up to 1/3 on tickets.
Travel during off-peak times
Now that you've got your Railcard, make the most of it by travelling at off-peak times, ensuring you make the most out of the discounts you can get. You'll save money by travelling at these times but you'll also miss the rush giving you a seat to get some much needed work done.
Keep an eye out for student travel discounts
Throughout the education season, you'll have a chance to grab some discounted tickets as a student, so keep your eye out and your nose to the ground to make the most out of these offers.
Make the most of the onboard WiFi
Got urgent work that needs to be done on the go? Don't worry we've got you covered with our onboard WiFi, delivering you the speeds you require for submitting that important essay. Or, use the WiFi to stay in touch with your friends as you travel, whatever you need it for, it's there.
Refunds and compensation
We know that value for money is crucial so we've made sure there's a straightforward process for claiming refunds or compensation in case of delays or cancellations.
Use Delay Repay if your train is delayed by more than 15 minutes – you may be eligible for compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. Submitting a claim is simple and can be done online.
Things to do for students
Whether you're heading into college or out with friends, catching the train is the perfect way to get around. There are plenty of ways for students to get discounts on train tickets. Here's some inspiration for things to do around the North that won't break your student bank!
Frequently asked questions for students
Whilst Northern doesn't specifically offer a student train ticket, you can get a 1/3 off the price of rail travel with a 16-25 Railcard – otherwise known as the 'Student Railcard'. Older students can get a 26-30 Railcard for the same price of £30 for a year of discounted travel.
The cheapest train tickets usually come on sale around 12 weeks ahead of the date of travel, these are known as Advance train tickets and can save you up to 60%. Start your search early and you may well be able to find these cheap Advance tickets.
If your schedule allows, we'd recommend travelling outside of peak times. This means you can purchase an Off-Peak train ticket.
And using a Railcard will almost always pay itself off after a few journeys, so make sure you renew yours when it expires!
A 16-25 Railcard (or Student Railcard) as it's often known only costs £30 per year. Over a year you could save an average of £182.
** The average saving is based on the average savings made by 16-25 Railcard holders between April 2022 and March 2023, excluding the price of Railcard. Find out more benefits of a Student Railcard.
You can purchase a student Railcard in person at a staffed ticket office or online through the official Railcard website.
Your student Railcard is best used for off-peak trains, where you can enjoy up to 1/3 off on train travel. You can also enjoy discounts on a range of tickets such as advanced, anytime, and off-peak. As well as the fact that public holidays and weekends offer discounted travel for Railcard holders no matter the time of day.
For a 1-year student Railcard, it'll cost £35, with average travel savings across the year being £208. A 3-year Railcard costs £80, meaning you'll save money for those 3 years on the Railcard as well as general travel.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.