Your Arrival to Aberystwyth

Our International Team looks forward to welcoming you.

The information outlined below will answer some of the common questions you may be thinking about, and will help you plan your trip. Be sure to take a look at at our Pre-Arrival information to help you get ready to join us on campus!

Pre-Arrival Information

We aim to help your journey to Aberystwyth go as smoothly as possible, from submitting your application right through to unpacking your suitcase in campus accommodation.

Please read our CAS and Deposit Information page and Visa Support & Advice page for some essential information to prepare for your arrival.

Pre-Arrival Information for September 2025 arrival will be coming soon.

Travelling to Aberystwyth

Free Airport Pick Up Service:

To help you with your journey to campus, we are offering a free airport pickup service from Birmingham International Airport for new international students.

Further details will be provided closer to September.

Travel by Plane

Most of our international students fly into the UK via the city airports at Birmingham Airport (BHX), Manchester (MAN), London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). Birmingham Airport is the nearest airport to Aberystwyth.

From Birmingham Airport there is a direct train service to Aberystwyth;
From London Heathrow and London Gatwick, you should travel to London and then take a train from London Euston station to Aberystwyth, via Birmingham International or Birmingham New Street;
Alternatively, you can take the National Express coach service to Birmingham and then change coach to continue your journey to Aberystwyth University's Penglais Campus. Journeys take approximately 7 hours;
From Manchester Airport there is also a good train service. The railway station is inside the airport. You should take a train to Shrewsbury and then change for the connecting service to Aberystwyth.

Travel by Train

There are good rail links from all major airports to Aberystwyth.

Check train times or book tickets at nationalrail.co.uk or thetrainline.com

Travel by Coach

Coaches from London and other cities are available.

Check times at nationalexpress.co.uk or uk.megabus.com

Travel by Taxi

Useful websites such as Minicabit provide self-service booking facilities and price comparisons across taxi companies. The prices below are an example of the costs, but will vary.

Airport	1-4 people	5-8 people
Birmingham Airport	£280-£590	£400+
Manchester	£200-£320	£300+
London Heathrow	£290-£870	£300+
London Gatwick	£440-£1000	£560+

Taxi transfers can be arranged from other locations and airports in the UK. Please contact international@aber.ac.uk for details.

Please note that if the driver has to wait for you at the airport, there will be a charge for their waiting time. So factor in the time it will take to pass through UK customs and to collect your luggage.

The driver will hold a sign with your name on it and will not leave the airport without you.

You can plan your journey with Transport for Wales. When you arrive at Aberystwyth train or bus station, we advise you to take a taxi from the town centre. This should cost you approximately £5. The taxi rank is beside the train station and around the corner from the coach station. All the taxi drivers are familiar with the university.

Accommodation Information

You will need to book accommodation prior to your arrival. If you are staying in University accommodation, there are a few things you need to do before your arrival.

For a small fee, you can request a bedding pack for your University accommodation room. This will save valuable space in your luggage and let you get a good nights sleep before you have to unpack! Once you have booked your University accommodation, you can email accommodation@aber.ac.uk to request a bedding pack.

If you don't want to stay in University accommodation, you will need to arrange private sector accommodation before you arrive in Aberystwyth.

Collecting your University accommodation key

You can collect your room key from the Accommodation Office which is open Monday to Thursday (8:30am to 5:00pm) and Friday (8:30am to 4:30pm).

If you are arriving outside of office hours please ask your taxi driver to take you to the Main Campus Reception instead (which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week).

Reception staff will be able to help you - providing you with a key to your room and directions to your accommodation. Ask the taxi driver to wait while you get your key and drive you to your accommodation.

If you use the airport pick-up service in January or September, we will give you your accommodation key on the coach.

Collecting your Aber Card

All current Aberystwyth University students and staff members are entitled to an Aber Card. This will be your key to University accommodation.

To ensure that your Aber Card is ready for you when you arrive on campus you will need to apply for it at least a week in advance. You can do that here.

New students staying in University accommodation will be given their Aber Card as part of the accommodation check-in. If you use the airport pick-up service in January or September, we will give you your Aber Card on the coach.

For all other students, you can collect your Aber Card from the Hugh Owen Library