Heathrow coach pick up frequently asked questions

Do I need to book my accommodation before the coach pick-up?

Yes. You'll need to make sure that you arrange your accommodation in advance. When you make your coach booking, we'll need to know which hall you are staying in (if it is a DMU-sourced hall), or if you will be staying in private accommodation.

If you are in private accommodation, please make sure that you let your accommodation provider know when you are arriving, and that you have made arrangements with them to collect your keys and access your room. 

Do I need to arrange my flight before I book onto the coach pick-up?

Yes. You will need to provide us with your flight details when you make your booking. We recommend looking at the dates and times of our coach pick-up service and then booking your flight to coincide with one of our coaches. Remember to allow at least 2 hours between your scheduled flight arrival time and the coach departure time. See below for more guidance on this.

If you’re not sure about this, please contact us at arrivals@dmu.ac.uk

How long will it take me to get through the airport?

You will need to allow plenty of time - and at least 2 hours - to pass through Border Control, Baggage Reclaim and Customs. There can sometimes be long queues at Border Control, particularly in September (when lots of international students are arriving in the UK). If we think you have not allowed enough time to get through the airport, we will email you to suggest alternative transport, such as National Express coaches.

You can find out more about your arrival process in the DMU International Student Guide.

Where will I meet the coach?

Our coach pick-ups take place in Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Once you have made your booking, we will email you with detailed information about where to meet the Welcome team in the airport. We’ll also email you again the week before your flight, to re-confirm your pick-up details and the time of your bus departure.

What happens if I am arriving at a different terminal building?

If you’re landing at a different terminal, then you will need to allow additional time to transfer to Terminal 3. You can find out more about this on the Heathrow Airport website.

What if I can't find the Welcome team in the airport?

We will send you detailed information by email about where to meet the Welcome team. The team will be wearing coloured DMU t-shirts and will be holding DMU signs.

During the week before your flight, we will also email you with a mobile phone contact number for the pick-up team; so you will be able to call them if you need to.

How much luggage can I bring?

You are welcome to bring up to 2 suitcases (maximum size per item 80cm x 35cm x 40cm), plus hand luggage (cabin baggage).  If you want to bring more luggage than this, then you may need to arrange at the airport for your luggage to be sent to Leicester separately. Alternatively, you may need to book a taxi or make other travel arrangements yourself.

Remember that you will need to move your own luggage in the airport, so please make sure that you can lift and carry your bags and suitcases yourself. Baggage trolleys are also available to use free of charge in the airport. 

Why can’t I bring more luggage on the coach pick-up?

There will be a limited amount of luggage storage on the coach and we want to make sure that there is room for everyone's bags.

The maximum luggage size (80cm x 35cm x 40cm) is the luggage allowance set by the coach company.

We understand that it may be your first time in the UK, though please remember that you can buy clothes, cooking equipment and other things quite cheaply in Leicester. You can find more information about what to bring with you in the Arriving Soon? section.

What happens if I arrive late?

Our coaches have to leave on schedule and are not able to wait beyond their departure time.

If you miss the pick-up, then you maybe able to get a place on a later coach instead, if there are spare seats. If you miss your pick-up, please call us on the mobile number so that we can advise you.

If you miss the last pick-up of the day, then you may need to buy a ticket for the National Express coach service to Leicester. You‘ll be able to call us on the mobile number about this; you can also find more information on our website.

What will happen once I meet the Welcome team in the airport?

The Welcome team will check students’ names as they arrive at the meeting point. If you’ve arrived early, please be patient whilst the team wait for other students to make their way to the meeting point.

Around 30 minutes before departure time, the Welcome team will contact the driver and arrange for the coach to come and collect the group from the terminal building. Please be patient, as it may take around 15 minutes for the coach to travel from the coach park to the terminal building.  

Once on the coach, the Welcome team will provide you with more information about your arrival at DMU.

How long will it take to get to De Montfort University (DMU) on the coach?

The journey from the airport usually takes around two hours, depending on the amount of traffic on the roads.

What happens when I arrive at DMU?

If you are staying in a DMU-sourced hall, the Welcome team will assist you to collect your keys, so that you can move into your room.

If you’re staying in private accommodation, we will assist you to get to where you are staying. Please remember - if you’re in private accommodation, you’ll need to make sure that your accommodation provider knows when you’re arriving and has arranged for you to collect your keys.

What happens if I have a wheelchair, or if I have mobility issues?

If you have declared a disability as part of your course application and need a wheelchair ramp in order to travel, please email us at arrivals@dmu.ac.uk.

Not all the buses we use are equipped with a wheelchair ramp, so you must tell us as part of the booking process if you will need a ramp in order to travel. Please notify us a at least 10 working days in advance, so that we can try to arrange a suitable vehicle.    

Is there anything else I need to do before I take the pick-up service?

We recommend that you arrange travel insurance, to include loss of (or damage to) luggage and personal items.

You can can find lots more information about arriving, living and studying in the UK in the International Student Guide and on our webpages.

Any other questions?

If you need further advice or information about your arrival in the UK, please contact International Student Support at arrivals@dmu.ac.uk, and we will do our best to assist you.