Travelling to Lancaster University by public transport is straightforward and convenient, with multiple options available to suit various preferences.
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Working in partnership with Stagecoach, Lancaster University has the highest frequency of buses traveling between the campus and the city than any other UK university, with at least 14 buses an hour during the day in term time.
Every bus service traveling to Lancaster City Centre stops at the Lancaster University Underpass, Sports Centre, and Health Innovation Campus on the A6.
Bus timetables
Please see the Maps section of iLancaster for live bus times from your preferred bus stop, or visit the the Stagecoach website bus timetables.
Free student bus to Sainsbury’s
Lancaster Sainsbury's provides a free student bus every Wednesday during term time. Passengers must spend a minimum of £5 in Sainsbury's to use the free bus.
Departure times from Lancaster University Bus Station are 11:08, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 17:00 and 18:00.
Departure times from Sainsbury's Lancaster are 11:35, 12:35, 13:35, 14:35, 16:35, 17:35 and 18:35.
UniRider Bus Passes
University staff and students are eligible for discounted Unirider Bus passes.
Lancaster UniRider: Travel to Lancaster City Centre, Morecambe, Heysham, Overton, Carnforth, Silverdale, Halton, Galgate and Forton.
UniRider Gold: This pass will be of interest to those who wish to commute via bus but live outside of the Lancaster Unirider zone, and those who want to explore Preston, Blackpool, Kendal, The Lake District, Keswick, Workington, Whitehaven, Barrow, Carlisle and Penrith.
Staff
Staff are entitled to a higher discount on UniRider Bus Passes when switching to the bus after being an annual parking permit holder.
Staff should apply for a UniRider Bus Pass during the Flexible Benefits window.
In addition to the UniRider Bus Passes, staff who commute to campus less frequently can purchase Bay Flexi Day Tickets in quantities of 10, 20, 30, and 50 at a time. Bay Flexi Day Tickets are available to purchase on the Online Store.
Contact the Travel team by emailing travel@lancaster.ac.uk for more information about Bus Travel.
Students
Students can purchase an annual, termly, 2-termly, or 3-termly UniRider Bus Pass, and other tickets including an U19 DayRider directly on the Stagecoach website.
Long distance bus travel
Megabus and Flixbus operate daily scheduled coach services from Lancaster University Underpass to the Lake District, Preston, Manchester, Manchester Airport, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, and more UK destinations.
The University also provides an International Arrivals Transfer Service at certain times of the year for international students arriving at Manchester Airport.
Lancaster has regular rail services to many destinations across the UK, and the Bailrigg Campus is accessible by various modes of transport from Lancaster Train Station.
Students
Save 1/3 off rail travel by purchasing a National Railcard, available to browse here. Mature students aged 26+, studying 15+ hours over 20+ weeks in a year, can also apply for a 16-25 Railcard.
Use National Rail to search for and purchase train tickets.
Staff
Staff can apply for an interest-free loan of up to £5000 to help pay the cost of rail season tickets for commuting to and from work during the Flexible Benefits window.
Taxi ranks are located outside the Chaplaincy Centre on North Campus and at the Lonsdale College bus stop on South Campus.
Local taxi operators include:
- 848 848 Radio Taxis - 01524 848848
- 32090 Taxis - 01524 32090
- Coastal Taxis - 01524 60000