Getting Around Loughborough: Transportation Tips for Students

Whether you're a fresher finding your way to lectures or a second-year student eyeing housing options beyond the Golden Triangle, knowing how to get around Loughborough is key. Thankfully, this student-friendly town has excellent transport links, by bus, bike, or train, that make it easy to travel between campus, the town centre, and beyond.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most popular student transport options in Loughborough, from Kinchbus services and the campus shuttle to safe cycling routes and late-night travel. With the right knowledge, you might even discover that your ideal student house isn’t limited to just a few streets.

🚌 Local Bus Services: Kinchbus and Shuttle

Kinchbus – Reliable and Regular

Kinchbus is the go-to operator for many students in Loughborough. Key routes include:

• Kinchbus 2: Town centre ↔ Loughborough University ↔ Loughborough Railway Station

• Kinchbus 11 and 12: Serve residential areas like Shelthorpe, Thorpe Acre, and Nanpantan. This is ideal if you're living outside the traditional student zones.

You can pay contactless, use the Kinchbus app for real-time tracking, and even buy student passes for discounted travel. Buses are clean, regular, and run well into the evening.

Shuttle Service – Campus Convenience

The university has its own free Loughborough campus shuttle service, making it quick and easy to get around campus.

• Operated exclusively across the university campus, this free shuttle runs every 5 minutes during term time between 7:30am and 6:00pm

• It links major campus locations like the Students’ Union, Mechanical Engineering, Pilkington Library, Wolfson School, and Holywell Park.

• No ID, tickets, or payment is required. Just hop on and off at any campus.

Take a look at our Guide to the Loughborough University Campus for a more detailed overview of everything the campus has to offer.

🚲 Cycling in Loughborough: Safe, Fast, and Free

Loughborough is one of the most cycle-friendly towns in the UK:

• Dedicated cycle lanes run between the town and the campus.

• The University campus itself has wide, well-lit cycle paths and secure bike parking.

• The Canal Towpath offers a scenic, traffic-free route to many residential areas.

✅ Top Tip: Always lock your bike with a sturdy D-lock, especially in town.

🚆 Train Links to Leicester, Nottingham & More

Loughborough Railway Station is just a short bus or bike ride from both town and campus. It’s well-connected, making weekend trips and commuting easy:

• Leicester – 15 minutes

• Nottingham – 20 minutes

• Derby – 25 minutes

• London St Pancras – 1hr 20min (direct)

Student railcards (like the 16–25 Railcard) offer up to 30% off fares, and the station has all the amenities you need, including food outlets, cycle storage, and taxi ranks.

🚗 Driving in Loughborough: Not Always Necessary, But Sometimes Handy

While most students don’t need a car in Loughborough, driving can be useful in certain situations, especially if you’re living further out or travelling regularly.

• Parking on campus is limited and usually requires a permit, which is typically only granted to students with specific needs (e.g. placements, commuting from outside town).

• Many student houses offer driveway or street parking, but some roads have resident permit zones, particularly when living closer to town and campus.

• Supermarkets like Tesco Extra and Aldi have free car parks, and Epinal Way provides easy access to ring roads and the M1.

If you do bring a car:

• Be mindful of term-time congestion, particularly on Ashby Road and Epinal Way during rush hours.

• Consider car sharing for events or shopping trips to cut costs and reduce hassle.

🛑 Heads up: Loughborough’s great transport options mean many students leave their cars at home without issue.

🚶 Walking in Loughborough: Everything You Need Is Close

Loughborough is a compact town, which makes walking one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get around, especially for students.

• Most student housing areas, including the Golden Triangle, Forest Road, and Ashby Road, are within a 10–25 minute walk to campus.

• The town centre is easily walkable from campus (around 15–20 minutes), meaning you can get to shops, cafes, and the train station without needing transport.

• The campus itself is pedestrian-friendly, with well maintained footpaths and signposted walkways between departments, halls, and facilities.

✅ Bonus: Walking is free, healthy, and often quicker than waiting for a bus during peak times. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know the town. Explore Loughborough's landmarks and hidden gems, which are all within walking distance.

🌙 Late-Night Travel: Staying Safe After Hours

Loughborough may be a small town, but students still need late-night options, especially after a night out at the SU or town centre clubs.

• Taxis are widely available. Be sure to check reviews before booking, as some companies are particularly more reputable than others.

• Kinchbus Night Services may run during term time; check schedules during freshers’ week.

• Uber and Bolt can be more limited, but do operate in town and are only increasing in availability as time goes on.

🛡️ Safety Tip: Travel in groups when possible and keep your phone charged. Loughborough is generally safe, but late-night precautions are always wise.

🏠 What This Means for Your Accommodation Choices

One of the biggest advantages of Loughborough’s transport network is freedom of choice when it comes to student housing. Areas slightly outside the Golden Triangle, like Ashby Road, Kingfisher Estate, or Forest Road, can be just as convenient thanks to great bus links and cycling routes.

At UniQ Lets, we offer high-quality student houses across town, many of which are just 10–15 minutes by bus or bike from campus. That means you can get more for your money without sacrificing convenience.

Summarised Options for Getting Around Loughborough as a Student

Transport Option	Best For	Bonus Tip
Kinchbus	Local travel between town & campus	Get a student bus pass for savings
Shuttle bus	Quick, direct campus access	Free with many student packages
Cycling	Fast, eco-friendly local travel	Use the University’s bike hub
Trains	Visiting nearby cities or going home	Use a 16–25 Railcard
Late-night taxis	Post-night out journeys	Save local taxi numbers in advance

Getting around Loughborough is easier than most students think. Whether you’re heading to a 9am lecture, popping into town for groceries, or visiting friends in Nottingham, you’ve always got plenty of options.