Bus and rail services to our campuses
Getting around Northampton or between University sites couldn’t be easier. We partner with Stagecoach who run bus services across Northampton, connecting the main travel hubs of Northampton and University facilities – not forgetting our off-campus accommodation.
Find information below, including discounts:
The University is supporting Stagecoach to offer a £1.70 single fare and £17 weekly ticket that will be valid on any Stagecoach bus within the Northampton MegaRider zone.
These are available on routes including:
4/4A/4B: Whole route
8: Anywhere between Town Centre & Blackthorn/Rectory Farm (not valid to Kings Heath)
Be sure to check the Stagecoach website for the latest timetables.
Payment
The special £1.70 fare is available, exclusively on a special section of the Stagecoach app, set up for University of Northampton staff and students.
You will need to download the Stagecoach app and set up an account using your University issued e-mail address. When you follow a link issued by the University, you’ll be able to buy your ticket.
Stagecoach also offer a range of MegaRider zone tickets valid for either 1 day, 7 day or 28 day.
Further information about bus timetables and maps for services operating in Northampton can be found on the Northamptonshire County Council website.
Travel to/from Northampton rail station
Northampton station is only one mile – a 15-minute walk/10-minute cycle ride – to Waterside and St John’s Halls. Better still the Innovation Centre is just opposite.
The Development Hub is just over 2 miles and Scholars Green Student Village on Boughton Green Road is just over 3 miles away.
All our sites link to the station, with the exception of the Podiatry Clinic, here’s how:
Scholars Green Student Village (Numbers 4/ 4A: Kingsthorpe – Waterside)
- Days: All week
Stops include:
- Scholars Green
- Bus Station (10 minute walk to the Rail station)
Innovation Centre
No bus is required. The Railway station is directly opposite.
UON Podiatry (Stagecoach 9B/12A/x4)
- Days: All week
Stops include:
- Cliftonville Road
- Bus Station (10 minute walk to the Rail station)
Update on Number 18
We have closely monitored the monthly patronage of the #18 Park and Ride bus service as well as using results from our annual Sustainability Survey and have seen a large decline in numbers over the past couple of years. As this route is subsidised by the University, it is no longer viable to provide the service with such low usage. Therefore, Friday 28 August 2026 will be the last day of the #18 bus service.
The Claret Car Park remains in operation through West Northants Council and Stagecoach bus number 55 will remain in service as this is a generic route which operates around Sixfields, Rail Station and into the Town Centre. If you are travelling by train to Northampton Rail Station, there are a number of routes that stop along the Bedford Road which is just a short walk to Waterside Campus.
Your UON discounted tickets will continue on all bus routes within the Megarider Zone, including the #55.
If you have any questions, please do contact travelinfo@northampton.ac.uk
Other bus services
For other bus routes travelling locally to the University campuses, please visit the Stagecoach website for further route information.
Stagecoach provide the majority of local services and have a journey planner tool. Currently they only offer student discounts (Younger Persons tickets, under 19 yrs) on town centre fares (show your NUS ID card).
Coach travel home
For travel further afield, such as your journey home, countrywide coach company, National Express travel to hundreds of destinations, have multiple pick up locations in the town and offer student discount via the NUS card or an annual young persons coach card.
Northampton station has excellent links to large local cities such as Birmingham, Milton Keynes and London, it is just an hour ride from Euston or Birmingham New Street giving easy access to transfers to most major cities.
Additionally, Wellingborough station (approx. 12 miles away) has direct links to: Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Sheffield. Stagecoach run the X46 and X4 to Wellingborough and beyond from Northampton.
Bus Discounts
The university is supporting Stagecoach to offer a £1.70 single fare and £17 weekly ticket that will be valid on any Stagecoach bus within the Northampton MegaRider zone.
National Express Discounts
Airport Pick-Up
If you are travelling by air to the UK, we have partnered with the National Express to offer a 20% discount for all airport transfers from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham International and Manchester direct to Northampton town centre.
Rail Discounts
Student Discount
London Northwestern Railway offer discounted rail travel for those travelling to school, college, or university every day by train. With the termly Student Season Ticket, students can get up to 50% discount on the usual season ticket price.
16-25 Railcard
A 16-25 Railcard costs £30 and it’ll save you 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year, including all Standard and First Class Advance fares.
You are eligible if you’re aged between 16-25, or over the age of 26 and in full-time education. Please see the 16-25 Railcard website for the full eligibility criteria.
You can use your Railcard anytime on weekends, public holidays and during the week. The only restriction is that if you travel between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday (except during July and August) a minimum fare of £12 will apply.
Now you can also buy a three-year 16-25 Railcard, available only online. It’s great value at £70, saving you an extra £20 on the cost of renewing your one-year Railcard for three consecutive years. You can buy this three-year Railcard up until the day before your 24th birthday.
Please visit the 16-25 Railcard website for more information.
Additionally, National Rail offer a group save ticket, where groups of three to nine adults can get 1/3 off Off-Peak tickets when travelling together. The group must travel together at all times. No further discounts (using Railcards, for example) can be used at the same time.
Trainline offer a similar GroupSave ticket and often have the cheapest fares if you’re booking for just one person, but they do charge a booking fee.
Student Oyster Cards
Students with a London home address are entitled to discounted Oyster Cards through Transport for London. You can apply for an 18+ Oyster photocard online and the University will verify your application.
If you are a part time student wanting to apply, please read our terms and conditions.
