The UK has an extensive and well maintained road and motorway network. Unless otherwise indicated, speed limits on UK roads are 30 miles per hour (48 kph) in built up areas, 60 miles per hour (97kph) on single carriage ways and 70 miles per hour (113kph) on dual carriage ways and motorways.

Holders of an international driving license are allowed to drive in the UK for up to 12 months from the date of arrival, thereafter you would need to obtain a UK driving license.

Taxis are widely available in the UK and they can be identified easily due to the illuminated taxi sign on their roof. Taxi ranks are located just outside train, bus and airport terminals and all of them will put on their meter without you having to ask. Taxis will give you a receipt if you request one. Minicabs are also available in some of the larger cities.

"Minicabs" are taxis which will not necessarily carry a taxi sign on the roof - although they should still have a registration plate on the rear. You are not legally allowed to flag down a mini-cab on the street so in order to get one, you should phone ahead to your local mini-cab company. They are cheaper than a regular taxi - especially if going to an airport. You are advised not to accept offers of a ride (without prior booking) from mini cab drivers who are touting for business in the street - it is very unlikely that these drivers are licensed and taking a journey with them might put you in danger.

 There are many rail networks in the UK connecting suburbs to city centres and as well as providing inter city travel routes. High-speed Euro star trains leave London every day and get you to the city centre or Paris within 3 hours. It is possible to buy discounted tickets if you book early or have a student ID card/young person’s rail card.

London’s transport system is divided into 6 zones starting with zone 1 in the city centre. The number of zones you travel through will determine the cost of your train ticket. If you are doing a lot of travelling around London it would be best to consider purchasing a “one day travel card”, a “weekend travel card” for a weekend journey or weekly or monthly travel card for a longer duration. The staff at the underground station will answer your queries regarding tickets.

The four main domestic carriers in the UK: British Airways; British Midland, Ryan Air and Easyjet, all offer discounted tickets if you book your ticket well in advance. Please consult their websites for further information on advance ticket purchasing. Do also remember that airports can sometimes be located 30-60 minutes outside of the city centre, therefore shorter distances are often better covered by bus or train.

The first thing you must do is check with your Study Overseas Student Counsellor if the school provides a transfer/pick up service i.e. will they collect you from the Airport. If they do, then you should send all your flight and arrival details to your counsellor who will then liaise with the school and arrange for you to be picked up. Remember there is an extra charge for this service. The prices of which will vary depending on the airport you arrive at and the distance to your final destination. If you prefer to travel independently from the airport then you will need to travel by bus, taxi or train to your final destination. There will be an “Information Desk” at your port of arrival (i.e. the first UK airport that you land in) which will be able to guide you further. Additional information on how to get to your accommodation will be provided by your Study Overseas Students Counsellor.

The most cost effective option for travelling into Central London from Heathrow Airport is to take the underground train which takes around 45 minutes to reach central London. However you will be responsible for carrying your luggage, with no trolleys or porters available to assist you and you may have to take escalators, lifts or walk up stairs. Hence you are advised instead to take the Heathrow Express from Heathrow airport to Paddington Station at a cost of around £15. At Paddington Train station you will be able to use the trolley facility as well find a taxi to take you to your final destination.

From Gatwick Airport there is a regular train service into Central London every 15 minutes-Gatwick Express. This journey takes 30 minutes and a single ticket costs £12 if you buy it at the station. The train will take you into London Victoria from where you can either take the underground, bus or a taxi to your final destination.

Should you be studying in another city quite far from London you are advised to try and avoid having to travel into central London with your entire luggage and you should consider transferring and using the regional airports such as Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh.