• Travel tips
• Arriving at the airport
• Hotels and guesthouses
• Travelling to the University campus  

 Travel Tips

• Check when you should arrive on campus. For students attending International Orientation you should arrive on 29 September 2009; and most other students should aim to arrive on Arrivals Weekend- 2 and 3 October unless you have information from your academic department or Warwick Accommodation to tell you to arrive at a different time. See the Welcome to Warwick pages for more information on when to arrive.
• Double check your airline baggage limit before packing your belongings. You may need to pay excess baggage charges or send some items by post if you exceed your limit.
  
• Bring with you evidence of your inoculations and chest x-ray. This will save you a lot of time at the airport.
  
• Remember the University of Warwick is in the city of Coventry and not in the town of Warwick!
  
• If you are carrying more than 10,000 Euros (approximately £6,800 or the equivalent in your local currency) in cash, travellers' cheques or a bank drafts, declare this on arrival at Customs.

 Arriving at the airport

Students from outside the EEA will be asked to fill in a landing card on the plane with their personal details.  You will need to hand this to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control in the airport before being able to make your onward journey.

If you are not an EEA citizen, at Passport Control you may also need to show the Immigration Officer your UK visa and evidence of your proposed studies, finances, accommodation (if available) and chest X-ray (if required).

Remember to carry these documents in your hand luggage so that they can be checked quickly and easily.

After going through passport control you will be able to collect your luggage and move through Customs.

If you are carrying more than 10,000 Euros (approximately £6,800 or the equivalent in your local currency) in cash, travellers' cheques or a bank drafts, you must declare this at Customs.  Not doing this could mean that you face a fine of up to £5000.

If you encounter any problems on arrival in the UK please contact us.

Hotels and guesthouses

If you arrive late in the day you may wish to stay in London overnight. It is a good idea to book a hotel in advance.  As London hotels can be very expensive, you may also consider staying at International Students House which has reasonably-priced accommodation specifically for students. For more information please see www.visitbritain.com, www.visitlondon.com and, for budget accommodation in London, www.ish.org.uk.

If you have not booked a hotel room in advance, you can seek help on arrival at Heathrow or Gatwick at the Tourist Information Centres.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide University accommodation for any relatives or friends who accompany you when you first come to Warwick. However, there is a wide selection of hotels and guesthouses in the local area.

travelling to the university campus

Orientation pick-up services

Students attending the International Orientation programme can use our coach pick-up service from Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, or the shuttle bus services from Coventry train and bus stations. These services are only available from these locations on Tuesday 29 September 2009, and only to students who have booked a place on Orientation. Find out more about Orientation and how to book your place on these webpages.  

Arrivals weekend pick-up services

New international and EU students who choose not to attend Orientation and plan to arrive instead over Arrivals Weekend- the first weekend of term, may book a place on the University's coach pick-up services operating from Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. These services are only available on 3 and 4 October 2009. Places are limited and you must book your place online in advance. Find out more and book your place on the Arrivals Weekend Coach Pick-Up pages when the application form opens in the summer.

Travelling independently

If you do not use any of the University pick-up services, we advise you to travel to Coventry by coach or train, and then use a local bus service or taxi to reach the University campus.  Coventry is the nearest city to the University, only about 5 km away.  Bear in mind that once you arrive in the UK you will be responsible for your own luggage and will have to carry this yourself.

From London, you can use National Express coaches to travel directly from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, or Victoria Station in central London to Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry.  You should book a ticket online in advance via the National Express website, or you can buy a ticket at airport Arrivals.

Direct trains to Coventry also depart regularly from Euston Station in central London. You can book online or buy a ticket at the station.

To travel from Heathrow or Gatwick Airports to Euston Station or to anywhere else in the centre of London, you will be able to use the London Underground system (the ‘Tube’).  You can find travel information on the Transport for London website.

Birmingham International is the closest major airport to the University. You can travel by train direct from the Airport to Coventry Train Station or you could take a taxi from the airport.

To get from Coventry train or coach stations to the University campus, you should use a taxi or local Travel West Midlands Bus number 12 or 12W. Taxis are more expensive but more convenient if you have a large amount of luggage. Only use licensed taxis, which will have a yellow or white plate on the back of the car.

For local buses, you will need to have some coins with you to pay the exact fare (for example a one pound coin).  The main bus stop on campus is close to Rootes Reception and the Students’ Union. For more information see the Travel West Midlands website.