With the end of term rapidly approaching, many students will be starting to plan how to get home for the holidays. If travelling by train, and plan on taking more train journeys in the future, you may want to consider purchasing a RailcardLink opens in a new window, which gives you a third off rail fares across the country. Railcards cost either £30 or £70 and are valid for one or three years respectively, but the savings can quickly add up if you travel regularly by train.

Train tickets usually become available up to twelve weeks before the date of travel, with prices being cheaper the earlier you book. It is important to note that there are different types of tickets available, with advance single tickets only being valid for a specific train time. If you are unsure of your availability, it might be best to buy an anytime or off-peak ticket, which is more flexible with which trains you are allowed to take.

Another option for travelling which is often cheaper than trains yet still sustainable is by bus. MegabusLink opens in a new window runs a number of routes from Coventry and Birmingham to various cities across the UK, although they do tend to be slower than train journeys.

You may be wondering what to bring backLink opens in a new window with you over the holidays. While it’s easy to overpack, remember that the holidays are only four weeks, so it might be better to pack lighter, especially if carrying large suitcases on public transport.

A final tip is if you are leaving your accommodation unoccupied, it is a good idea to leave your heating on a low setting over the Christmas period. If the heating is completely turned off, there is a chance the pipes could freeze or even burst.

If you need any support with your money during the year you can contact Student Funding Support by email (studentfunding@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window) or telephone (024 7615 0096) Monday to Thursday 8.30 – 5.00 or Friday 8.30 – 4.00. Alternatively, you can drop in and see us by going to the Wellbeing Reception in Senate House between 10am and 3pm Monday-Friday.