Before you travel
Check the travel advice for the country you are travelling from and the latest UK Government advice on travel. If you are travelling through an airport in the Schengen area en route to the UK, you may need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa.
Please note that everyone entering the UK (except British or Irish citizens) will require immigration permission before they travel. For non-visa nationals, this will be in the form of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
Page updated 25 June 2025.
What to bring with you
Please do not bring a lot of heavy luggage with you! You will be able to get most things you need when you arrive and settle in (clothes, food, spices, toiletries, computer equipment, cooking utensils, etc) and you will be charged extra on bus transfers. As a guide, you can bring either:
- one small piece of hand luggage with either one large suitcase (75cm x 50cm x 32cm, maximum 20kg), or
- two medium-sized suitcases (70cm x 45cm x 30cm, maximum 20kg each).
Our advice would be to 'think minimum' and 'think light' when packing. Please watch our videos here for advice from our international students, and read the National Express luggage policy.
Arriving in the UK – at the airport
All passengers will be required to make a customs declaration by selecting the 'green channel' (nothing to declare) or the red channel (goods to declare). EU citizens are able to use eGates if travelling on a biometric passport. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA can also use eGates.
Please note the checklist below of documents you will need to bring with you and present at the airport.
For more information please visit the UK Government website.
You should be prepared to bring the following immigration documents that you'll be asked to present:
- your passport
- evidence of your finances for your tuition fees and living costs
- a device you can use to access your eVisa
- your CAS statement email and documentation relating to your studies at NTU
- details of your accommodation in the UK, including your full address
You must bring printed copies of these documents. Do not rely on electronic copies.
If you will be travelling to the UK through Ireland you will not pass through UK immigration control.
Make sure you keep evidence of your travel to the UK as you do not receive a stamp in your passport. This could be a boarding card, ticket or booking confirmation. The evidence should include your name / passport number and photocopies or screenshots of these documents are acceptable.
You must present these documents when you enrol at NTU and to your accommodation provider.
There is further information on the UKCISA website about travelling to the UK via Ireland.
Travelling to Nottingham from UK airports
To plan your journey to Nottingham, please read the travel options open to you by coach, rail or taxi listed below.
We are pleased to offer a FREE NTU meet and greet coach service to all our new international students from London Heathrow to Nottingham, between 11 and 14 September 2025. Our staff will be waiting for you in the arrival's hall. Look out for our NTU pink t-shirts!
A booking form will be emailed to eligible students on 20 August 2025. Once you have your place confirmed, our staff will be waiting for you in the arrival's hall. Look out for our NTU pink t-shirts!
Places are limited so if you are unable to secure a seat we also offer 20% off with National Express, from many UK airports to Nottingham between 1 August and 30 September 2025.
Travelling by National Express coach to Nottingham
Journey time approximately 2 hours, this journey will require changing buses as there are currently no direct services to Nottingham. Coaches leave from Terminal 1.
Tickets cost approximately £10 - £20.
You must print the e-ticket and show this to the driver.
Travelling by train to Nottingham
Tickets cost approximately £25 - £35.
Journey time 1 hour and 30 minutes approx.
Take the Air-Rail Link from the terminal building to Birmingham International train station. This is a free service which operates approximately every two minutes.
You will need to change trains at Birmingham New Street and get on the train for Nottingham.
Book your journey with East Midlands Railway.
It is cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online.
Travelling by National Express coach to Nottingham
Journey time 6-8 hours.
Tickets cost approximately £20 - £50.
You must print the e-ticket and show this to the driver.
Coaches leave from both North and South terminals.
There are other coach operators available, Megabus and Flixbus. Check the pick-up and drop off points as they are often ‘near the bus station’ and not ‘in the bus station’. All coach operators have a luggage allowance and you will have to pay for extra bags, please check their websites.
Travelling by train to Nottingham
Thameslink to London St Pancras where you can take a direct train to Nottingham.
Journey time 2 hours 30 minutes approx.
Tickets costs approximately £20 - £50.
Book your journey with East Midlands Railway.
It is cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online.
Travelling by National Express coach to Nottingham
Tickets cost approximately £25 - £50.
You must print the e-ticket and show this to the driver.
The journey to Nottingham takes approximately 3 - 5 hours (3 hours and 30 minutes direct). The Central Bus Station at Heathrow is a short walk from Terminals 2 and 3. If you need to travel between terminals for your coach please use these travel instructions.
There are other coach operators available, Megabus and Flixbus. Check the pick-up and drop off points as they are often ‘near the bus station’ and not ‘in the bus station’. All coach operators have a luggage allowance and you will have to pay for extra bags, please check their websites.
Travelling by train to Nottingham
Journey time 3 hours approx.
You can take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington then the London Underground to London St Pancras, where you can catch a direct train to Nottingham.
If you are planning to use the Underground for part of your journey, try to avoid the peak periods of 8-9am and 5-7pm. Also, please be prepared to carry your luggage up escalators (see our luggage advice before you travel).
Tickets cost approximately £70 - £100 and you can book your journey with East Midlands Railway.
It is cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online.
Travelling by National Express coach to Nottingham
Journey time approximately 4 hours (no direct coaches).
Tickets cost approximately £25 - £40.
You must print the e-ticket and show this to the driver.
The coach stop is approximately a two-minute walk from the terminal building.
Travelling by train to Nottingham
Journey time approx 3 hours and 30 minutes.
You can take a train from Stansted Airport to Nottingham, you will need to change (avoid the London options it will be difficult with luggage).
Tickets cost approximately £20 - £40.
Book your journey with East Midlands Railway.
It is cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online.
Travelling by National Express coach to Nottingham
Journey time is approximately 4-5 hours, this journey will require changing buses, as there are currently no direct services to Nottingham.
Tickets cost approximately £20.
You must print the e-ticket and show this to the driver.
Travelling by train to Nottingham
Take a train from Manchester Airport Station with one change at Manchester Piccadilly to Nottingham.
The journey time is 2 hours 30 minutes approximately.
Tickets cost approximately £20 - £35. You need to change trains so please check this and ask at the ticket office if you are unsure.
Book your journey with East Midlands Railway.
It is cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online.
There are other coach operators available, Megabus and Flixbus. Check the pick-up and drop off points as they are often ‘near the bus station’ and not ‘in the bus station’. All coach operators have a luggage allowance and you will have to pay for extra bags, please check their websites.
Travelling by coach to Nottingham
24-hour Skylink Express (not National Express) bus service travels frequently to Nottingham City (Broadmarsh Bus Station).
Journey time approx 50 minutes.
You can catch the Skylink bus directly outside the terminal building. Tickets cost £3 per person and you can buy your ticket from the bus driver as you get on the bus, by cash or card.
If you plan to travel by taxi, we recommend these local Nottingham taxi companies who provide a door-to-door service from the airport to your accommodation:
- DG Cars 0115 950 0500
- Nottingham Cars 0115 970 0700
- Yellow Cars 0115 981 8181
Please note this is the most expensive travel option.
You should expect to pay around the following for a standard size taxi:
- London Heathrow £190
- London Gatwick £229
- London Stansted £180
- London Luton £165
- Birmingham £100
- East Midlands £40
- Manchester £130
How to book a taxi
To book a journey with one of these companies, you will need to book and pay by card at least 5 days before you travel. You can do this online, or by calling the Nottingham taxi company directly. To book, you’ll need to give the following information:
- your confirmed flight number
- the number of suitcases you will bring
- the number of passengers travelling in the taxi
- your email and a mobile number (that will work in the UK)
Please note that the number of passengers determines the size of the taxi and there may be an increased cost.
After booking, you’ll get a confirmation email and text and the taxi company will confirm the driver’s name and contact details before you travel.
Delays and cancellations
Don't worry if your flight is delayed, the taxi company will monitor the flight arrival times so the driver will be aware of the situation.
If you need to cancel or change your booking, you’ll need to give the taxi company at least 12 hours’ notice or you may have to pay for part, or all, of the charge.
Arriving with no taxi reservation
We highly recommend that you pre-book your taxi before you travel.
If you can’t do this, you’ll be able to hire a taxi when you arrive at the airport. Please note, you’ll have to pay a higher price and not all taxis take cash so make sure you have a credit card that will work in the UK.
Your arrival into Nottingham
We advise you to have your mobile phone data plan in place for arrival so you can call home or order a taxi.
If you're arriving early in the morning or late at night, you must check you’ll be able to get into your accommodation by contacting your accommodation provider before you arrive.
Coaches arrive at Nottingham City Centre (Broadmarsh Bus Station), and the nearest taxi stand is located on Trent Street, which is a five-minute walk away. The Broadmarsh Bus Station, including waiting areas, is open 24 hours.
Some National Express coaches from London Heathrow and Gatwick stop at Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus (opposite the main gate). If available, you can select this option when booking your coach. Clifton Campus accommodation is a short walk; New Hall (5 mins), Peverell and College Drive (10 mins). Please note there is no taxi stand here, you will need to book a taxi for onward travel to your accommodation.
Nottingham train station has taxi stands clearly signposted.
Large black taxis are permitted to use taxi stands and they can stop outside the Bus Station. They can also be stopped in the street. They have fare meters and will easily fit 2 people and 4 large suitcases.
Private taxis booked via an app are not permitted to use taxi stands or stop outside the bus station so you will need to arrange a pick-up location nearby with the driver.
Popular taxi apps in Nottingham:
- Uber
- Bolt
- FreeNow
- Lyft
- Grab
- DGCars
Taxi price guide from the city centre: to City campus £5 - £15, Clifton Campus £20 - £25, Brackenhurst £40.
More about Nottingham
Life in Nottingham
Whether you’re looking for a night out or want to relax and unwind in a quiet cafe, Nottingham has something for everyone in its affordable variety of attractions, shopping venues, nightlife, and natural spaces.
Nottingham travel
Two hours from London, three hours from Scotland – Nottingham’s in the centre of England and very well connected to other parts of the country. Find travel advice on getting to Nottingham and getting around the city.