Living in London as a student can be hard – adjusting to the winter darkness, tough assignments, tube and rail strikes and more. But one of the hardest things is budgeting for a very expensive city. Fortunately, there are a TON of deals available for students to make the financial burden of living in London a bit easier, while still allowing you to do and eat fun things.
This guide will walk you through some of the best money-saving tips for students, focusing on transportation and food.
Transportation tips
Student Oyster
TFL has a specific student discount, which can save you a lot of money if you’re using the buses, trams, or tube often. By getting a 18+ Student Oyster Photocard you’ll save 30% on adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.
16-25 or 26-30 Railcard
Alongside discounted travelcards available from having a Student Oyster card, you can pair a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard to get 1/3 off pay-as-you-go off-peak fares and daily cap on Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and most National Rail Services. Simply get a Railcard online, then find a member of staff in any London Underground station to pair the Railcard to your Oyster account to enjoy the discount.
If you’re interested in traveling around England and exploring other cities, having a Railcard also gives you a discount on train travel and is definitely worth the initial investment.
Bike membership – Santander Cycle
If you find yourself biking to campus or around London using the Santander bikes all across the city, it may be worth it to get a subscription. Students age 18 and over can save 25% on an annual subscription, and graduates can also qualify for a 25% discount.
Food tips
Too Good To Go
This app helps your wallet and the environment. By preventing food waste, restaurants and stores will save food to sell for a discounted price that otherwise would go to waste. While food is pre-selected (meaning you wont get to pick your favourites), this can be a great way to save money as a student.
Meal deals and sticker discounts
Don’t ignore meal deals – for £5 or even £3, you can get a sandwich or salad, crisps or snack, and a drink. This can make a great lunch option without breaking the bank, and by switching up stores or sandwiches you could potentially find your next favourite lunch. Outside of meal deals, certain items in supermarkets labelled with yellow stickers are discounted. Figuring out your local store’s timing for rearranging “sticker items” can mean finding some great deals, especially on things like meat, fish, and fresh veg.
Supermarket rankings
Not all supermarkets are created equal. While shopping options will differ depending on local areas or the closest branch, traveling a bit further to find a discount can really help offset grocery expenses. Cheaper stores like Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, and Morrisons will often have much better prices on basic items than Waitrose, M&S, and Whole Foods. These little swaps can make a big difference.
On-campus deals and events = free food
Look out on campus for events with food and drink! Particularly in the first few weeks of the term, student societies and recruiting events will often have free treats to bring in new candidates. Outside of events, many of the food and drink options on campus will have deals or promotions exclusive to students and staff. Take advantage of exploring the many options for food on campus and try to find a bargain!
Meal prepping and shared cooking
Preparing even a few meals a week for long-days on campus can be a huge money-saving tip. For me, preparing meals in advance has helped me appreciate cooking and finding new recipes, as well as trying new foods with my flat mates. By alternating days or meals to cook with housemates, you can try a new cuisine or dish, and save money.
