Free or Discounted Student Bus Tickets in Scotland!

When you travel with Stagecoach you can stress less and spend less with free or discounted bus travel! BUSSED IT BOSSED IT

We've got a great range of value student ticket options available on the Stagecoach Bus App to suit everyone. You’ll be able to live your best student life from the get go 📲
 

New student or returning for another year? Choose the cheapest ticket that fits with your schedule. 

Under 22s travel for free by bus - Anytime, Anywhere in Scotland ⛰️

All you need to travel by bus for free to college or university is a valid National Entitlement (NEC) or Young Scot card with free travel activated. It's super simple to apply!

Aged 16 to 21? Travel for FREE

If you're between 16 and 21 with an active NEC or Young Scot NEC, download your free bus travel using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and get free travel across Stagecoach bus services straight away. 

Living in Scotland while you’re studying? 🏠

Did you know that if you’re living in Scotland for more than 6 months out of the year, you’re also entitled to apply for FREE under 22s’ bus travel?  

Explore your new surroundings by bus without spending a penny!

Apply now for FREE bus travel!

Over 22 or studying in Scotland for a short period of time? ⏰

We’ve got you covered! Students aged 22 and over, or students only in Scotland for a short period of time can enjoy fantastic discounts with our range of student bus tickets! Just remember to show your student ID to our driver when you board the bus.

Whether you’re on campus one day or five – there’s a bus ticket just for you!

BUY NOW

Looking for a new travel buddy?

Then look no further than the Stagecoach Bus app! Whether you're new to the area or a dab hand at getting around our app can help you plan your journey, track your bus on our live map and buy your ticket!

All this from the touch of your phone –what's not to love?

Download the Stagecoach Bus App now!

Our range of tickets couldn’t be simpler…

• DayRiders – unlimited travel for the full day, great for exploring.
• MegaRiders – unlimited travel for 1 week, 4 weeks or 13 weeks, great for those on a budget!
• Flexi tickets – a ticket with a little more flexibility and double the discount, 5 DayRiders for the price of 4 or 10 DayRiders for the price of 7!

Just remember... you need to show your student ID along with your ticket each time travel!

Studying in the North of Scotland?

We know student life is more than just books and study so check out our range of student ticket in your area helping you make the most of student life.

North Scotland Students

Studying in the East of Scotland?

You’ll have a great time and knock it out the park! Just remember to take some 'you' time and explore all the amazing sites on offer. With a great range of student bus tickets available in your area, you’ll be wanting to stay a student forever!

East Scotland students

Studying in the West of Scotland?

You'll love all that's on offer in the West Coast! Check out our student tickets on offer to help you live your best student life. Start saving now with student bus travel and enjoy all that's on offer by bus.

West Scotland students

Under 22s - FAQs

Who can get free bus travel? 

Every 5–21 year old living in Scotland can travel for free by bus access free bus travel if they have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). If you are 5–15 years old, your parent or guardian will apply for you. If you are 16–21 years old, you should apply for your own NEC or Young Scot NEC. Children under 5 years old do not need an NEC as they can already travel for free on buses. 

What do I need to apply for free bus travel?

Before you get started, there are a few documents you need to speed up the application process. 

Free bus travel for under 16:

• Sign in or register at mygovscot
• Look out your proof of identity - passport, driving licence, young scot card, biometric residence permit are all accepted or use your Yoti account 
• Parent, guardian or carer proof of address - a council tax or bank statement can be used 
• Birth certificate for children under 11, passport, young scot card, biometric residence permit 
• Proof of child's address if they don't live with you 
• Child's birth or adoption certificate 
• A recent digital image of the child (if aged 11+) showing head and shoulders 

Don't worry if you can't apply online, you can contact your local council for more information on drop in centres for your area. 


Free bus travel if you're aged between 16-21 and applying yourself:

• If you already have an active NEC or NEC Young Scot NEC, you can activate free travel on your card with the Transport Scot Pass Collect app right away 

Or 

• Sign in or register at mygovscot 
• A recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders 
• Proof of passport, driving licence, young scot card, biometric residence permit are all accepted or use your Yoti account 
• Proof of address 

Remember, to use free bus travel you need to replace your current card with a new one. If you don't have a valid card, you will need to pay your bus fare in the normal way. 

I live in Scotland for part of the year. Can I still get free bus travel?

If you live in Scotland for the majority of the year (at least 6 months), then you are eligible. This could be if you study and live in one council area but your family home is in another.

I've got my NEC card with free bus travel, how do I use my card? 

When you board the bus, hold your card to the reader at the top of the ticket machine, the bus driver will record your journey.  Remember to ask the bus driver if you've any questions and let them know where you're travelling to before you remove your card. 

Where can I go under the free bus travel scheme?

You can travel anywhere in Scotland on local and long distance bus services, apart from a few exceptions such as premium-fare night buses, city sightseeing buses, some airport transfer services, and some closed school bus contracts.  Please check within your area which services are included. If you are travelling to England, you will be able to travel to Carlisle or Berwick-Upon-Tweed, but you cannot travel within these towns.

What should I do if my National Entitlement Card doesn't work on the bus?

We know like any smartcard, your card might become broken or cracked that's why it's important you look after it.  If you notice it's damaged, you can apply for a replacement at getyournec.scot or contact your local authority,  If your NEC doesn't work on the bus, the scheme rules mean you have to pay your bus fare until your replacement card arrives. 

I've lost my card - can I travel for free without it? 

No, you can only travel for free with a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC for travel each time you travel by bus, if you don't have your card you will need to pay a fare. 

For the full FAQs go to Transport for Scotland website

Students - FAQs

What do I need to get my student ticket?

Our student bus tickets are available to any students at either college or university with valid student ID.  You can show this to the driver with your student ID card, a digital ID or the Unidays app. 

Can I get a student ticket on my StagecoachSmart card?

Yes, 7 day MegaRider tickets can be loaded onto your StagecoachSmart card by the driver. 

If you don't have a StagecoachSmart card already, the driver can provide you one which will cost £1 or you can order one if you are buying a ticket online. 

4 week MegaRider tickets can be purchased from our website (and loaded onto a StagecoachSmart card) or from the Stagecoach Bus app. 

13 week MegaRider tickets can only be purchased online and will be loaded onto your StagecoachSmart card, or issued on a new smartcard if you don't have one already. 

DayRider tickets can be purchased from the Stagecoach Bus app as a mobile ticket, or on our buses as a paper ticket. 

Flexi tickets can only be purchased on the Stagecoach Bus app as mobile tickets. 

What do I do if I lose my student ticket?

By registering online with Stagecoach, you can keep the tickets you purchase safe and secure. Download your purchase and activate it before you use it.

We realise there's a small chance of you losing your ticket, please look after it as it's a valuable item. If you do lose it, contact our customer services team with a crime reference or lost property number from the police, and a replacement may be considered. 

Do I need to show my student ID every time?

Yes, you must show your valid student ID when buying a physical ticket, or when buying via the app or online. You must also show your valid student ID to your driver when you board the bus. This can be a physical student ID or a digital ID.

Can I cancel my student bus ticket?

To cancel, change or get a refund on a paper ticket, send the ticket and an explanation to Stagecoach in your area, where it will be reviewed on an individual basis.  

To cancel your StagecoachSmart ticket, log in to your account via the website and select the Manage My StagecoachSmart section of your account.  

Your StagecoachSmart ticket can also be cancelled or refunded by calling the StagecoachSmart customer services team on 0345 810 1000.   

View full terms and conditions