Your Leicester Commute: How To Get To Campus On Time

2 Jul 2026

Luke M. Williams

Learning how to navigate your new home is one of the earliest challenges you’ll face as a student, but most UK cities are easy to get around. In Leicester, you’ll be travelling to either the University of Leicester or De Montfort University each morning, so learning the best routes to campus is vital. Today, we’ll be helping you master your Leicester commute and hopefully save you some money while doing it.

Your Leicester Commute: How To Get To Campus On Time

The Leicester Bus Network

The East Midlands offers plenty of great public transport options, and in Leicester you’ll even get to enjoy some free journeys. Students at the University of Leicester can look out for the campus shuttle bus, which is run by Centrebus. This term-time service links the main campus with the popular student area of Oadby and runs through to Brookfield Campus. You need only to show your student ID to enjoy completely free travel.

If you’re over at De Montfort, the Hospital Hopper is a better choice. This service connects the main DMU campus with Leicester Royal Infirmary and the railway station. Once again, this is a free bus as long as you have a valid student ID.

To get around the city centre, the Hop! City Centre Shuttle is a good option. These midi-buses run a circular loop connecting major city centre locations. The route includes the train station, the Haymarket and St. Margaret’s bus stations, and Leicester Market. It is perfect for bouncing around the busiest parts of the city.

For wider travel across the region, the paid-for Arriva and First bus networks are wide-ranging. Routes like the 80 and 80A are popular choices for moving between the city centre, the campuses, and the outer suburbs. If you find yourself switching between different operators, grab a Leicester Flexi ticket to keep your travel costs low.

Are Walking and Cycling a Good Choice?

In recent years, Leicester has become a bike-friendly destination with flat paths and scenic corridors that make travelling under your own steam possible. The best route is New Walk, a historic pedestrian promenade that stretches for almost a mile. It connects the railway station with the university and Victoria Park. The path is free of vehicles, and this makes it popular with runners and walkers alike.

If you want to explore on two wheels, the Great Central Way is the place to go. The path runs along a former train track and forms part of National Cycle Route 6. It’s a peaceful and safe route for cyclists that gets them to Aylestone Meadows.

How Easy Are Day Trips From Leicester?

The central location of the train station makes it easy to explore the entire region and beyond. East Midlands Railway runs direct services to Nottingham and Derby, with a journey to Notts’ taking just under 30 minutes. For trips further afield, you can catch a train to Birmingham in less than an hour or get to the bright lights of London in a little over an hour.

Inside Tips for New Students

  • Keep your student ID card handy at all times, as you need to show it to drivers to claim your free travel on the university and hospital shuttle buses.
  • Download the First Bus and Arriva apps before you arrive to compare student discount fares and buy digital tickets on your phone.
  • Get yourself a high-quality bike lock if you plan to use the Great Central Way, as secure bike storage areas are located across both main campuses.

Set Up for Life in Leicester

Getting around is all about speed and convenience, but when you need to slow down, we’re here. Our Leicester student accommodation is the place to come after a long day of travelling and simply relax. Book now and experience all that student life has to offer.

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