Book your airport transfer

Free transfers from London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Birmingham Airport, Manchester Airport

To support you as a new international student at the University of Derby and make your journey across the UK as easy as possible, the University and National Express have teamed up to safely transport you from a selection of airports to Derby Riverlights Bus Station or Nottingham Broad Marsh Bus Station.

The free coach service will operate from London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Birmingham Airport, and Manchester Airport from 3 January to 7 February 2025. For more information about dates and times of coaches, please visit the National Express website.

Are you eligible?

To qualify for this service, you must be a new international University of Derby student starting a course in January 2025.

How to book:

Email students@derby.ac.uk to request your voucher code*. In the email you must include the following details:

Your full name
Your student ID number (9-digit number e.g. 100123456)
The airport you are travelling from (Heathrow/Gatwick/Birmingham/Manchester)
The date you expect to travel on
Your end destination (Derby/Nottingham)
Subject title: ‘National Express Voucher Code’

It can take up to 5 working days to receive your voucher code. Any requests submitted must be completed no later than 5 working days in advance of your arrival. Late requests may NOT be considered.

*There are a limited number of vouchers for this offer and they will be given out on a first-come first-served basis. Only one voucher code is permitted per student.

Once you have received your voucher code, you will be able to select your desired pick-up location, destination location, time, and date of travel on the National Express website. You will need to leave plenty of time between when your flight lands and your coach's departure time. We recommend booking a fully flexible ticket as this will allow you to amend your ticket unlimited times before the booked time of departure. If you miss the coach or are late due to airport delays, you will need to purchase a new ticket.
- Please note, the University of Derby is unable to make amendments to your ticket
To continue with your reservation, click 'Checkout as Guest' on the National Express website and complete the 'Your Details' section. If you add any 'Extras' at this stage (see details in the Terms and Conditions) there is an option for you to purchase a feature called Change & Go at an additional cost. This is optional and allows for delays as you can travel either 12 hours before or 12 hours after the booked departure time.
Please note that the free transfer service applies to new University of Derby students only. If you are travelling with a partner, friend, or family members, you will need to buy additional tickets on the National Express website. Please read the Terms and Conditions; see below for more details.

If you wish to make any changes to your booking, you can contact National Express.

If you have any questions about your arrival at the University of Derby, please contact students@derby.ac.uk and include your full name and student ID number (9-digit number e.g. 100123456) and use the subject title ‘National Express’.

Arriving at Derby

Your journey will terminate at the Derby Riverlights Bus Station. Here, you will find a taxi rank (advanced booking is not normally necessary unless you are arriving early in the morning or late at night) and an information point if you require further support with getting to your accommodation. Make sure you contact your landlord or halls of residence to let them know what time you will be arriving.

Further information

Further details of travel options to help you with your journey to Derby can be found on our travel pages.

Find out more information about booking your accommodation in Derby on our accommodation pages.

Free coach service terms and conditions

Terms and conditions

Valid for travel between 3 January and 7 February 2025 for new University of Derby students starting a course in the 2025 academic year.
Only valid for travel from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Birmingham Airport, and Manchester Airport.
Only valid to Derby Riverlights Bus Station or Nottingham Broad Marsh Bus Station.
Your National Express ticket must be booked a minimum of 5 working days prior to travelling.
The National Express luggage allowance (free of charge and stored in the hold of the coach):
- 1 large suitcase or rucksack, measuring no more than 75cm x 50cm x 32cm and weighing no more than 20kg.
- Subject to availability only: instead of 1 large suitcase or rucksack, you may carry 2 medium suitcases, measuring no more than 70cm x 45cm x 30cm and weighing no more than 20kg in total.
Read the full National Express terms and conditions here.
All tickets are issued and all passengers are carried subject to National Express's General Conditions of Carriage.

Please note: any extras, such as luggage or seat reservations, are not included in the University of Derby offer. If required, you will need to add these to the booking and pay for them by card on the payment screen.