Plan how to get here

Getting to Leicester from abroad

We would strongly advise that you book your flight once you have accepted your offer and you have obtained your visa or entry clearance.

The city of Leicester is easy to travel to from many of the international airports in England. There are direct trains or airport express buses from East Midlands, Birmingham, London Stansted, London Luton and London Heathrow airports.

Airport Collection Service

The University of Leicester is offering a scheduled collection service from selected airports directly to our halls of residence. The collection schedule will run during the main arrivals period (Friday 25, Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Wednesday 30 September). Special services are available for students that need to quarantine in our halls, after arriving in the UK. These services will operate between Friday 11 September and Wednesday 16 September.

Students travelling from countries listed as a Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel corridor should plan to arrive in time for the start of Welcome Week on Monday 28 September (please check your offer letter as some courses have an earlier arrival deadlines).If you are traveling from a country not on this list, you should make arrangements to complete quarantine (a 14-day self-isolation period upon arrival to the UK). We are offering quarantine accommodation in carefully arranged halls, if you wish to complete your quarantine with us please contact our Accommodation team. Students that are required to complete quarantine should plan to arrive between Friday 11 September and Wednesday 16 September so that they can join Welcome Week.

Check if you will need to quarantine

Before you travel you should refer to the UK Government Guidelines, as some students arriving in the UK may be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, unless travelling from a country which is listed in Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel corridors (for England). We recognize that the travel corridors list has been adjusted during the summer and may change again, so if you are impacted by any changes between booking your flights and arrival please email us so that we can advise you.

Book your seat

Please be aware that seats on the Airport Collection Service are limited, due to social distance restrictions, and spaces may be booked up quickly. Please ensure you book your Airport Collection in advance.

You will need your flight details and contact information when completing the booking form. All places are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you should only book when you know your travel plans. Places on the buses are reserved for University of Leicester students only, so if you are travelling with a family member then you will need to make alternative arrangements. We recommend you try to limit your luggage to one suitcase and one carry-on bag, as space on the coach may be limited.

Bookings for September 2020 are now open, to book your place please complete our online booking form.

If you are travelling to a different airport, or arriving outside our airport collection times you will need to make your own arrangements for travelling to campus, there are plenty of options available to you.

Collections for students who will be self-isolating

From Friday 11 September - Wednesday 16 September, the Airport Collection Service will run a special schedule of buses for students arriving to complete their 14-day self-isolation (quarantine period) before Welcome Week.

  • Friday 11 September 2020 (now closed)
  • Saturday 12 September 2020 (now closed)
  • Sunday 13 September 2020 (now closed)
    •
  • Wednesday 16 September 2020 (now closed)

Bookings for September 2020 are now open so to book your place please complete our online booking form.

Collections for students arriving for Welcome Week

If you do not need to self-isolate on arrival to the UK, you should plan to arrive in time for the start of Welcome Week on Monday 28 September 2020.

  • Friday 25 September 2020
  • Saturday 26 September 2020
  • Sunday 27 September 2020
    •
  • Wednesday 30 September 2020

Bookings for September 2020 are now open so to book your place please complete our online booking form.

Additional collections

We are also operating a limited collection service for any students arriving on other dates in September and October. These services will have limited spaces available.

  • Saturday 19 September 2020 (now closed)
  • Sunday 20 September 2020 (now closed)
  • Saturday 3 October 2020
  • Sunday 4 October 2020
    •
  • Wednesday 7 October 2020

Bookings for September 2020 are now open so to book your place please complete our online booking form.

Alternative Options

If you are unable to take advantage of our airport pick-up service then there are many other options available.

Airport Taxi

You can also book an airport taxi, we have negotiated a set price with Airport Taxis Narborough so you can be sure that you’re paying the correct fee for your journey.

  • Heathrow Airport (Terminals 1,2,3,5) to Central Leicester = £105 plus any parking charges
  • Heathrow Airport (Terminal 4) to Central Leicester = £110 plus any parking charges
  • Birmingham Airport to Central Leicester = £48 plus any parking charges

To book, please visit the Airport Taxis Narborough website and complete their online booking form. You will need to know the airport and terminal to be picked up from, and should select “Leicester Area” from the drop off location menu. You only need to book a one-way trip.

Bus and Train

Leicester City has excellent rail and road links, so if you are arriving at a UK airport you can make use of the United Kingdom’s excellent public transport networks to get to Leicester. Each airport website has guidance on transport to and from the airport - Birmingham, East Midlands, London Stansted, London Luton, London Heathrow airports. Please note that the UK Government currently requires passengers to wear face coverings at all times whilst on public transport in England. Visit the UK Government website for more information.

Eurostar

If you are travelling to the UK on the Eurostar, you can change at St Pancras International onto a direct train to Leicester.

Getting to Leicester from within the UK

Getting to Leicester is easy because of the city’s excellent rail and road connections. Leicester Train Station is 15 minutes' walk from campus and St Margaret's Bus Station is centrally located with coach services from most major English cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester and London Victoria. Check out our handy guide for more details.