What to do at the airport
Luggage
Coming to study in the UK for at least a year means you will probably have a lot of luggage. This is perfectly understandable. However, can we ask you to please think carefully about the amount you plan to bring with you - it is impossible to bring everything! Please be selective. We advise you to only take as much luggage as you can carry yourself - the volunteers will not be able to help you lift heavy bags for safety reasons.
If you are coming to the UK outside the Meet & Greet days or you prefer to use public transport
From Heathrow
Between 07.15 & 21.15 Guildford can be reached by the coach/rail link via Woking. Tickets cost about £18 and are available at the rail ticket desk in all the terminals. The journey takes about one hour and involves a bus journey to Woking then a short train ride to Guildford. Click here for further details and timetable.
After 21.15 it is possible to get to Guildford via London. Take the underground railway to Waterloo Station, go to the main railway station and catch a train to Guilford. The enquiry desk in the terminal will give more details.
From Gatwick
From Gatwick Airport there is a direct train to Guildford which takes about 45 minutes and costs about £8. There is a railway station at the airport. Click here for train times.
From Guildford Station
Taxis to campus costs about £8 (they wait outside the main entrance). There is also a bus every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening from Guildford centre and the railway station to campus. If you arrive by train take care to follow the signs 'University and Link/Arriva Bus' to the bus stop.
Taxis
Many students decide to pay more and take a taxi to the University. We strongly advise you that you should book a taxi before you arrive. Please don’t take a taxi without pre-booking as you can pay a lot of money!
A pre-booked taxi from Heathrow to Guildford should cost from about £60 (car for 1, 2 or 3 students plus luggage) to £100 (minibus for up to 13 students plus luggage). Contact the Tourist Information Centre for details of local taxi firms.
Pre-booking means that there will be someone to meet you at the Arrivals Hall, holding up a notice with your name on it (which is very welcome after a 12 hour flight). It is best to book cars at least 3 days before you fly. Make sure you give them FULL details of your arrival - exact airport (not just London), terminal, flight number, the date and time of your arrival, your full name and if possible your mobile phone number – and do not forget to inform them if you make any changes to your travel plans. You should ALWAYS wait in the Arrivals Hall where you will be met.
From Central London
The best way to get from central London (not the airports) to Guildford is via Waterloo Station. There is a train approximately every 30 minutes. The fastest trains, taking about 35 minutes, travel via Woking. The single fare (one way) is about £9. Visit the National Rail website for more information.
