September coach service from London to Plymouth

An optional meet-and-greet coach service from London Heathrow Airport to University of Plymouth campus for new international students

buildings, Campus, City Centre - photo by Lloyd Russell
Arial view of Plymouth hoe
Female student in a demim jacket and green skirt walking down a cobbled street on the Barbican, in Plymouth, UK. 
To make your journey as easy as possible, we are providing an optional meet-and-greet coach service from London to Plymouth.
This service is only available for new international students arriving at London Heathrow Airport (unfortunately, due to limited space, this service is not for accompanying family or friends).
* The cost of this coach service is £30.

About the journey

The journey time from London Heathrow Airport to the University of Plymouth campus is about 4–5 hours by coach.
Our friendly student ambassadors will meet you in the Terminal 2 arrivals area at the airport, guide you onto the coaches and join you when travelling to Plymouth.
 
 

Dates and times

The coach service is only available on these dates:
  • Monday 8 September 2025
  • Tuesday 9 September 2025
All coaches will be departing from Heathrow at 11:00 British Summer Time.

Terms and conditions

Please carefully read the information below about the service before booking. Once you have booked your place, we will send you detailed information about the service.

Overview of service

  • This service runs during International Student Welcome week in September and is available to new international University of Plymouth students studying at any level, including exchange students and students studying at the University of Plymouth International College (UPIC).
  • The coach service will only be running on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 September 2025. After these dates, no further coaches will be arranged; if your arrival time means that you will not be able to use the airport meet and greet service you will need to make your own way to Plymouth .
  • The journey from London Heathrow airport to Plymouth takes between 4–5 hours, subject to traffic and comfort breaks.
  • Coaches aim to depart at the scheduled time of 11:00 BST, however we reserve the right to make reasonable adjustments to coach departure times.
  • You must allow at least 2 hours between your flight arrival time and your coach departure time. Getting through immigration (border control) and customs, collecting your bags and getting to Terminal 2 takes time, and it is your responsibility to leave enough time to be at Terminal 2 for the coach departure. The coaches are unable to wait for late arrivals.
  • There is a £30 charge for the service. Coaches are hired through a local reputable provider and we set our coach prices as low as we possibly can in order to cover operational costs. You may be able to find cheaper travel from other, larger providers, such as National Express, but our service provides a personalised experience, especially for first time and solo travellers.
  • As seats are limited, we cannot accept bookings for family members or travelling companions (including children or babies).
  • Places are limited on each coach and allocated on a first come, first served basis; please book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings close 1 week prior to transfer (or when coaches are fully booked).

Luggage and mobility
  • Luggage allowance on the coaches is strictly limited to one large or two smaller suitcases and one piece of hand luggage. Only bring what you can carry yourself without assistance as you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage through the airport and onto the coach, then onwards to your accommodation when you reach Plymouth. The University campus is spread across a large area and is quite hilly, as is Plymouth City Centre. (Find out about the essential items to pack, including what to carry in your hand luggage ).
  • If you send luggage unaccompanied or as freight to the airport, you will be responsible for collecting this at another time or arranging onward transportation to Plymouth. Please note the University will not accept advance freight of your luggage and cannot store luggage for you in advance of your arrival.
  • Please inform us if you have any medical conditions, disabilities or mobility issues that may be impacted by extended periods of travel, or that may require assistance, by emailing heathrowcoachtransfer@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • You are responsible for your luggage at all times and the University accepts no liability for loss or damage to your personal property and belongings.
  • You agree to abide by all conditions of carriage on the vehicles supplied as part of the Service, as advised by staff operating these vehicles. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with laws and policies requiring the use of safety belts and restrictions on smoking, alcohol consumption, luggage storage and general passenger behaviour.

Safeguarding (under 18s)
  • For safeguarding purposes, you will be required to indicate on the booking form if you will be under 18 at the time of travelling.

Accommodation and drop-off

  • You should arrange for somewhere to stay from your day of arrival in the UK and we will require the address of where you will be living in Plymouth upon booking.
  • The coaches will take you directly to the main campus, dropping off in the bus stops on North Hill, where there will be staff and student ambassadors on hand to escort you to your accommodation, if staying in University-managed halls. If you will be living in private (non-university) accommodation, you will be required to walk or pay for a taxi from the Plymouth drop off point.
  • If you are staying at University-managed accommodation (Gilwell, Robbins, Pilgrim, Radnor, Francis Drake or Mary Newman), please let the accommodation team know when you will be arriving by emailing residencelife@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • If you are moving into other halls of residence or private accommodation (not managed by the University of Plymouth), please ensure that you have confirmed arrangements regarding your estimated time of arrival and key collection before you travel. It is advised to have a contact phone number in case you need to advise them of any changes to your arrival time or travel plans.
  • If your address changes after you have booked, please inform heathrowcoachtransfer@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • Unfortunately, the University is unable to provide emergency accommodation therefore if you arrive out of hours or are unable to access your accommodation then you will be required to book a hotel or B&B.

Payment, changes and cancellations
  • Please do not make any travel arrangements until you have received your CAS and visa – find out about how to apply for a student visa .
  • We can only accept online bookings via our e-store (booking opens on 1 June).
  • If you have any problems with the booking system, or need to change or cancel your booking, please email heathrowcoachtransfer@plymouth.ac.uk stating your full name, student number, the date/time of your coach booking and booking reference.
  • You can cancel your booking up until 1 week before and receive a full refund.
  • Cancellations received within a week of travel will not receive a refund.
  • It is your responsibility to inform the coaches team of any delays on your day travel. If you miss your coach for any reason, including delays to your flight time, you will be responsible for your own transportation and associated costs to Plymouth. You will not be entitled to a refund in this circumstance.
  • If circumstances beyond the control of the University mean that the University is unable to operate any of the advertised airport collection services, the University will give as much notice of cancellation as possible and will endeavour to offer all reasonable assistance to access new onward travel arrangements from Heathrow Airport.

Useful links and contact details
 
 

Book your place

The coach service is only available on these dates:
  • Monday 8 September 2025
  • Tuesday 9 September 2025
Book your place on the coach service: booking opens 1 June
Coach interior

Other ways to get to Plymouth

If you are not able to use the coach service, or prefer to make your own way, you can find different ways to plan your arrival in the UK .