Travelling to the University

Whether you are arriving on a flight to Heathrow or Gatwick airport, or by ferry or the Eurostar train, there are various modes of transport you can use for your onward travel to the University.  

Address: University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.

Getting to the University 

There are a number of cost-effective ways of travelling to Guildford from Heathrow and Gatwick.

If you arrive in Guildford via the train station on 1 or 2 February 2025, you can use our free shuttle bus service to take you to campus. Information on this service can be found below.

By coach

From Heathrow

Direct coach

Between 3:50am – 00:23am, you can get a RailAir coach directly to Guildford railway station.

  • Cost: currently £9.50
  • Journey time: approximately one and a half hours

From Guildford railway station, taxis to campus cost about £8 and leave from the main station entrance - if you have a lot of luggage, ask them to wait while you collect your key. There is also a bus every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening from the back entrance to the station, to Stag Hill campus (get off at the stop next to the lake) and on to Manor Park.

From Gatwick

Between 5:45am – 9:45pm, you can get a National Express coach from both the south and north terminals to Guildford via London Victoria Coach Station in central London.

  • Cost: approximately £13.50
  • Journey time: approximately 3 hours 15 minutes

The coach will drop you off at Guildford railway station from where you can take a bus or taxi to the Stag Hill or Manor Park key collection point.

By train

Top tip - the Google and Apple Maps apps on your phone show live updates for many national rail services. This will show you the easiest and quickest route from the airport to Guildford. You can also use the Trainline app to see the latest timetables and purchase tickets.

From Heathrow Airport

Trains run regularly throughout the day from Heathrow Airport, including into the evening.

Option 1 - take the Elizabeth Line to Hayes and Harlington. From here, take the Elizabeth Line again to Reading. Change at Reading for a Great Western Railway service to Guildford.

Option 2 - from the Elizabeth Line to Bond Street. From here, take the Jubilee Line to London Waterloo. Change at London Waterloo for a South Western Railway service to Guildford.

  • Cost: approximately £25 - 40
  • Journey time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Check the latest timetables and buy tickets with the Trainline app.

From Gatwick Airport

Trains run regularly throughout the day from Gatwick Airport, including into the evening.

Between 5:10am – 23:55pm, there is a direct train from the airport to Guildford operated by Great Western Railway.

  • Cost: approximately £5 - 15
  • Journey time: approximately 1 hour.

Check the latest timetables and buy tickets with the Trainline app.

From St Pancras International 

Eurostar trains arrive in London at the St Pancras International station. London Underground trains can take you from Kings Cross St Pancras to London Waterloo, where you can take a South Western Railway train to Guildford.

Option 1 - take the Picadilly Line to Leicester Square. From here, take the Northern Line to London Waterloo. Change at London Waterloo for a South Western Railway service to Guildford.

Option 2 - take the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus. From here, take the Bakerloo Line to London Waterloo. Change at London Waterloo for a South Western Railway service to Guildford.

  • Cost: approximately £15 - 30
  • Journey timeL approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Check the TFL website for the latest London Underground timetables, and buy tickets with the Trainline app.

From other locations

Guildford Rail Station is well connected to London, the South East and the South West. You can also use the Trainline app to see the latest timetables and purchase tickets.

Getting from the train station to campus

Free shuttle bus service on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February

If you are arriving at Guildford railway station on either of these days, our Campus Safety team will be running a free shuttle service from the main entrance of the station. This will run throughout the day.

If you arrive at the station and cannot find the minibus, call 01483 682002 and we will let you know when the next bus is due to arrive.

Taxi

From Guildford railway station, taxis to campus cost about £8 and leave from the main station entrance. 

Bus

The number 1 bus (Stagecoach) leaves from across the road at the back entrance to the station every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. This bus goes to Stag Hill campus and then on to Manor Park. You can view the timetable and route map here, or we recommend downloading the Stagecoach bus app to your phone for tickets and live updates.

By taxi

You may decide to pay a little more and take a taxi from Heathrow or Gatwick airport, or other locations, to the University. We strongly advise you to book a taxi before you arrive, as this is cheaper than taking a public taxi from the taxi rank.

  • Cost: approximately £60 (a car for one, two or three students plus luggage) to £100 (a minibus for up to eight students plus luggage).
  • Journey time: approximately one hour from Heathrow and Gatwick.

Pre-booking ensures that the driver will meet you in the arrivals hall. Show the driver your University accommodation allocation letter and ask to be taken to your halls of residence reception, where you will pick up your key.

It is best to book a taxi between three and 10 days before you fly. Make sure you give the company all the details of your arrival:

  • The name of the airport you are flying in to
  • The terminal you are arriving at
  • Your flight number
  • The date and time of your arrival
  • Your full name
  • Your mobile phone number.

Do not forget to notify the company of any delays or changes to your travel arrangements.

Looking for help and advice for international students?

MySurrey website is full of useful information and advice, plus details on how to contact all our support services. Here’s some useful links: