If you have any other questions about applying for a visa, international travel or what to expect upon arrival in the UK then please contact us via internationalsupport@surrey.ac.uk.
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
The quickest and most cost effective way to travel to Guildford from:
- Heathrow Airport is by RailAir coach
- Gatwick Airport is by train.
Please note, there may be fewer services on weekends and public holidays.
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 on to Guildford railway station from where you can take a bus or taxi to the Stag Hill or Manor Park key collection point.
From Heathrow
You will need to take the London Underground to London Waterloo Station. From here you will then need to catch a train to Guildford. There is a train approximately every 30 minutes during the day, with the last train leaving around midnight.
- Cost: approximately £25
- Journey time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
From Gatwick
Between 5:10am – 23:55pm, there is a direct train from the airport to Guildford.
- Cost: approximately £10.50
- Journey time: approximately 45 minutes.
Getting from the train station to campus
From Guildford railway station, taxis to campus cost about £8 and leave from the main station entrance. There is also a number 1 bus which 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. The Stagecoach number 1 bus goes to Stag Hill campus (get off at AX Building, by the lake) and then on to Manor Park (Francis Crick Road stop). You can view the timetable and route map here.
You may decide to pay a little more and take a taxi from Heathrow or Gatwick airport 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.
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.