We know arriving in a new city can feel overwhelming – that’s why we’ve created this clear guide to help you reach your accommodation and the DMU London campus safely and smoothly.
Planning your journey: what to bring
Before you fly, make sure you have:
- Passport · UKVI eVisa confirmation and share code
- DMU offer/CAS letter
- UK accommodation address
- Contact details for DMU London (or your agent/landlord)
- Enough local currency or a contactless/debit card for transport fare Note: If you’re travelling with more than £10,000 in cash, you must declare this at UK customs.
Once you land, follow airport signs to immigration, collect your baggage, then follow directions to transport links (train, coach, tube, taxi or rideshare (Uber/Bolt).
You can use official transport websites or mobile apps to:
- Plan your journey
- Purchase tickets in advance
- Get an estimate of travel times and costs
Airports and getting to central London
Here’s how to travel from the main London airports to central London once you arrive:
Heathrow Airport
- Take the Elizabeth line, its fast, regular, and connects directly to central London
- Or use the Piccadilly line for a budget-friendly route into central London
- Once you reach central London, transfer by tube, bus, taxi or rideshare (Uber/Bolt) to your accommodation or campus
Gatwick Airport
- Use the Gatwick Express for a fast ride to London Victoria station
- Alternatively, Thameslink or other Southern trains connect Gatwick to stations like London Bridge, Farringdon or St Pancras – often a good option depending on where you stay
Stansted Airport
- Use the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street – a common arrival point
- From there, take the underground, bus, or a taxi to reach your accommodation or DMU London campus
Getting around central London
Public transport is usually the easiest and most efficient way to move around:
- Use a contactless card, mobile payment, or Oyster card
- The tube (underground), overground, buses, and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) cover all central and many outer London areas
- Evening and night-time buses (and some 24h services) make it possible to move around even late – helpful if you arrive late at night
- If you have heavy luggage, a licensed taxi or rideshare (Uber/Bolt) is a safe, although more expensive, option
See the official Transport for London (TFL) journey planner to check routes and times before you travel.
Getting to the DMU London campus
Once in London, getting to the DMU London campus is straightforward – it has great connectivity and public transport links.
- Use central London trains or underground stations as your arrival point. The two stations closest to campus are Aldgate East and Whitechapel
- If you’re planning to travel regularly, you may want to consider applying for a 16-25 or 26-30 railcard, which can be added to your Oyster card for additional discounts
Useful apps and extras
To make travel easier:
- Use journey-planning apps such as Google Maps or the TFL journey planner – they’ll help you find the fastest route to your accommodation or campus
- For trains/coach travel around the UK, Trainline or National Express are reliable
- For door-to-door convenience, especially with luggage Uber/ Bolt or a licensed taxi can be helpful occasionally
Helpful travel tips
- Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted all have clear signs at arrivals for ‘trains,’ ‘underground,’ ‘coaches’, ‘taxis’, as well as pre-booked ‘Uber’ and ‘Bolt’ areas – follow them to reach your next connection
- If possible, avoid travelling on public transport during London’s weekday rush hours (approx. 8–10 am and 5–7 pm), especially if you’re carrying heavy luggage
- Save your accommodation and DMU London campus address on your phone –it’s useful if you need a taxi or get lost
- Keep contact information for your accommodation or landlord handy, in case you arrive late or have difficulties
We know coming to a big city for the first time can feel like a big step. At DMU London, we’re committed to giving you clear, honest and helpful guidance to make your arrival and first days in London as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions before you travel – about airports, transport, accommodation or arrival logistics – just get in touch with us. We’re here to help.