Whether you’re commuting from across the city or arriving from another country, you’ll find convenient options to reach our campus in Whitechapel. Below, we’ve outlined local transportation, national connections, and tips for international students traveling to NTU London.
Local transport
Several London Underground (Tube) lines and train stations are within walking distance of NTU London:
- Aldgate East Underground Station – The nearest Tube stop is Aldgate East, served by the District and Hammersmith & City lines. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from campus, making it a convenient hub for getting around London
- Whitechapel station (about a 10 minute walk) is also close by, served by the same two Underground lines and London Overground services
- Shadwell station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Overground is another option roughly 10 minutes away
- Liverpool Street station (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines) is only one stop away on the Hammersmith & City line, offering quick access to additional Tube and National Rail trains.
East London is extremely well served by buses, and several routes stop right outside the NTU London Campus. Buses traveling west toward central London (Liverpool Street or Tower Hill) stop at Henriques Street, immediately outside campus, while eastbound buses (toward Limehouse) stop just across the road.
Key routes here include the 15, 115, and 135 (daytime) and the N15 and N550 (overnight) services.
Using the bus is not only budget-friendly but also a great way to get your bearings in the city above ground. Most London buses run early till late, and several night bus routes operate 24/7, so you’ll always have a way to get home.
East London’s infrastructure makes cycling and walking a great ways to get around London. There are dedicated cycle lanes in the area, including the Cycle Superhighway 2 (PDF, 187 KB), which runs through Aldgate East and Whitechapel toward Stratford offering safer, segregated routes for cyclists. You’ll find bike parking in many places, and the Santander Cycles bike share scheme (dockable hire bikes) has stations nearby for convenient short-term bike rentals.
Walking is also an easy option, the campus is within walking distance of vibrant neighborhoods like Brick Lane and Shoreditch, and well marked pedestrian routes make it simple to navigate the city on foot. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get to know London’s streets and discover hidden gems along the way!
London offers generous travel discounts for students to help with transport costs. The primary discount scheme is the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which allows eligible students to save 30% on the price of adult-rate weekly and monthly Travelcards, as well as Bus & Tram Pass season tickets A Travelcard gives you unlimited travel within designated zones on all Transport for London services, so this discount can significantly cut your commute costs
Oyster cards are valid across virtually all London public transport that includes the London Underground (Tube), city buses, the tram network (Tramlink), DLR, London Overground, and even most National Rail services within the London area. In short, one card will cover your trips on the Tube to campus, the bus home after a night out, or the DLR to Docklands. If you’re living in London during term time, be sure to apply for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard to take advantage of these discounts as soon as you’re enrolled. It’s a smart way to make city travel more affordable for students.
National and international travel
One perk of studying in London is how easy it is to travel to other parts of the UK. Major rail terminals are a short Tube ride away from campus, connecting you to cities across Britain. For example, London Liverpool Street station (about 15–20 minutes from campus by foot or a quick hop on the Hammersmith & City line) has National Rail services to destinations in the east of England (like Cambridge and Norwich) and beyond. Trains from all over the UK arrive into London’s main stations (such as King’s Cross St Pancras, Euston, and Liverpool Street).
Whether you want to visit friends up north or explore Scotland on a weekend, you can get there from London with ease. King’s Cross and St Pancras (for trains to northern England, Scotland, and the Eurostar to Europe) and London Euston (for the Midlands and North West) are directly accessible via the Underground from Aldgate East/Whitechapel.
If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, coaches are another convenient option. National Express and Megabus run coach services from cities across the UK to London Victoria Coach Station.
Victoria is on the Tube’s Circle and District lines – it takes around 40 minutes by Underground to reach our campus area from there.
Coaches can be a bit slower than trains, but they often offer student fares and plenty of luggage allowance. For instance, you can catch an overnight coach to cities like Manchester or Cardiff, which is economical and safe. Between the extensive rail network and coach options, NTU London students have plenty of ways to explore the UK beyond the capital.
Studying in London means you have three major airports within reach, and getting from the airport to campus is straightforward. The London Campus is very well connected to all the city’s airports. With easy public transport links whether you land at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, or London City Airport. Here are the three airports our students use most often and how to reach campus from each:
- London City Airport (LCY) - Distance: 6 miles Travel time: 30 minutes
- London Heathrow (LHR) – Distance: 20 miles. Travel time: 50–60 minutes
- London Gatwick (LGW) – Distance: 28 miles. Travel time: 1 hour.
Arriving in London for the first time as an international student
London may be a huge city, but it’s very welcoming to newcomers. With these travel tips and the excellent transport links available, you’ll find it easy to get around. From hopping on the Tube at Aldgate East to catch a guest lecture, to catching a train for a weekend trip, NTU’s London Campus is your gateway to both the city and beyond. Safe travels, and welcome to London!
Plan ahead with a journey planner: Before you fly, use the Transport for London (TfL) Journey Planner to map out your route from the airport to NTU London. This tool will tell you which trains or buses to take and even warns if there are any service updates. Having a game plan will make you much more confident on arrival.
All London airports have clear signs in English pointing to trains, the Underground, and other transport. After you’ve collected your luggage and passed through customs, look for signs for “Trains” or “Underground.”
Heathrow and Gatwick have staffed help desks, don’t hesitate to ask staff if you’re unsure where to go. They’re used to helping new arrivals.
You can buy a standard Oyster card at the airport Tube or train station, or simply use a contactless credit/debit card or smartphone to pay for travel. This will cover your fare into London.
If you plan to get the 18+ Student Oyster photocard later, you can still use a regular Oyster or contactless in the meantime, the systems are the same. Fares are automatically calculated, so you don’t need to worry about buying the “right” ticket as long as you tap in with your card.
Save NTU London’s address: 41 Commercial Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1LA.
If you get lost or decide to take a taxi, having the exact address will be extremely helpful. You can also put this into any navigation app once you have internet access.
London’s public transport is busiest on weekdays around 8 am – 9 am and 5 pm – 7 pm.
If possible, try to travel outside of these peak times when coming in from the airport your journey will be more comfortable and you’ll have more space for your suitcases. If you land during rush hour, it’s not the end of the world, but just be prepared for crowded trains.
Consider a taxi or rideshare for heavy luggage: If you have several bags or feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to take a taxi or Uber from the airport.
All airports have licensed taxi ranks and rideshare pickups. Just keep in mind this is the most expensive option – for example, a black cab from Heathrow to central London can cost £70 or more. If you do use a taxi, always use the official taxi queue or a reputable app, and confirm the approximate fare before starting the journey.
Open Days and campus tours
Explore NTU London for yourself at one of our upcoming Open days.
If you can't make our Open days don't worry, we're running regular campus tours too.
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