University life is all about new experiences — and with TransPennine Express, exploring the North and Scotland has never been more affordable. Whether you're heading home for the holidays, visiting friends at another uni, or just fancying a spontaneous day trip, here's how to travel smart and save big.
The 50% Student Discount
TransPennine Express offers students a massive 50% discount on selected tickets. This isn't a gimmick — it's a genuine half-price saving that makes rail travel one of the cheapest ways to get around the North. Check eligibility and access deals directly through tpexpress.co.uk.
Stack Your Savings with a Railcard
For maximum value, pair your student discount with a 16–25 Railcard:
- 1/3 off most rail fares across Great Britain
- Pays for itself after just a few trips
- Works on Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime tickets
- Digital Railcard available — store it on your phone via the TPExpress app
Top University Cities Connected by TPE
TransPennine Express links the biggest student cities in the North:
- Manchester — University of Manchester, Manchester Met, RNCM
- Leeds — University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, Leeds Arts
- Liverpool — University of Liverpool, LJMU, LIPA
- Newcastle — Newcastle University, Northumbria
- Edinburgh — University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Heriot-Watt
Budget Travel Hacks
- Book Advance tickets — available up to 24 weeks ahead with up to 50% off
- Travel off-peak — avoid the morning rush (before 9:30am) for cheaper fares
- Set up Cheap Ticket Alerts — get notified when fares drop on your regular routes
- Group travel — travelling with your uni society? Groups of 3+ get special rates
- Use the app — the TPExpress app often features exclusive student promotions
Download the TPExpress App
Your entire journey lives in the TPExpress app: book tickets, store your Railcard digitally, get live journey updates, and access exclusive deals. It's the one app every student traveller needs.
Your next adventure is just a tap away. Start saving at tpexpress.co.uk/student-train-tickets.