Public transportation in London
It is easy to get around London using public transportation, and St Mary’s is well-connected with bus stops and a local train station.
There is bus stop immediately outside campus which has direct links to Richmond, or Kingston. There is also a train station about 5 minutes from campus with direct links to central London.
The most cost effective way to pay is with an Oyster card, which covers travel on buses, trains and the underground throughout London. Depending on your travel needs, you can buy weekly or monthly passes or you can simply pay-as-you-go. You can buy an Oyster card and top up (add money) at train&underground stations as well as local shops.
Visit the Transport for London website for further information on Oyster and travel in London. There are many apps you can download that provide real-time information about public transportation times and connections.
Money
Debit and credit cards are probably the easiest way to manage your money while in the UK. Before you leave, you should notify your bank that you will be using your cards abroad. You can withdraw pounds sterling from local cashpoints using your debit card, although you may be charged a transaction fee by your home bank. You can also receive money from home via Western Union transfers. We advise that you do not carry large amounts of cash at any time.
Mobile phones
Check with your current provider to see if they can offer you service in the UK. You can also purchase a low-cost mobile phones once you arrive in London and purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card. There are many different pay-as-you-go tariffs available at reasonable prices. While on campus, you’ll be able to use the St Mary’s Wi-Fi.