Published 15/08/2025
Student bus travel from just 99p per day!
The University of Kent UniRider is low-cost, great value and designed to suit you during your student years.
Thanks to a special partnership between Stagecoach and the University of Kent, you can benefit from great value bus travel - just 99p per day!
Whether you’re heading to the library, shops or on a night out, travelling by bus is a great way to explore your new locale.
We offer different UniRider tickets to suit different course dates and personal preferences, but they all offer:
- Unlimited bus travel in Kent and East Sussex with just one ticket
- Travel at anytime - no restrictions
- One time purchase - never worry about paying for a bus journey when hopping on the bus
- Get your ticket and start using it right now on the Stagecoach Bus App
How much is a University of Kent UniRider and where can I get one?
You can buy your UniRider on the Stagecoach Bus App which you can download here. To buy your ticket, click the relevant 'buy now' button in the table below. Once purchased, you’ll need to input your personal details including your student ID number and your name (which must match the name on your student ID) to activate your ticket. The UniRider comes as a mobile ticket which you show to the driver when you board alongside your student ID card.
There are different types of UniRider to suit you, depending on your course dates and plans for the holidays. You can find them all below:
Uni of Kent DayRider and Uni of Kent 7 Day MegaRider tickets are also available. A Uni of Kent DayRider is £5.00 and a Uni of Kent 7 Day MegaRider £18.50. These are limited to the Canterbury area, whereas the tickets listed in the table above can be used on any Stagecoach bus in the South East area (Kent and East Sussex).
Please make sure you buy the correct one for you. We won’t be able to swap it once you’ve made the purchase.
Which bus do I catch to get to the University of Kent?
Buses run regularly between Canterbury city centre and the University of Kent campus. There are two specific uni buses which are designed to connect students to the campus from the city centre:
Uni1 buses run between the campus (including Park Wood and Darwin), Canterbury East Station, and Canterbury city centre bus station. The Uni1 runs every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays.
Uni2 buses run between the campus (including Park Wood and Darwin), Hales Place, and Canterbury city centre bus station via Canterbury West Railway Station. The Uni2 runs every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday during the day. From 18:30 to 23:00, the Uni2 bus runs every 30 minutes between Canterbury Bus Station and Hales Place via the campus. From 00:05 to 04:05, it runs hourly from Canterbury bus station before resuming a normal service at 09:04.
The uni1 timetable can be found here
The uni2 timetable can be found here
The 401 is not a specific university service, but it runs between the campus (Keynes) and Canterbury city centre bus station Monday - Sunday. You can also get to Whitstable on the 401 and enjoy some seaside fun.
How do I get to the shops?
Whether you’re doing the big shop or just picking up the essentials, get there by bus! There are three supermarkets on Sturry Road, as well as a retail park, cinema, and gym. Pick up the #6, #8, #8A, #600, #601 or #602 bus from Canterbury bus station or Kingsmead.
Where can I use my University of Kent UniRider?
A University of Kent UniRider is valid on all Stagecoach buses in Kent and East Sussex, not just the bus to Uni. That means you can use it for days out too. Whether you fancy a bit of shopping, a day at the beach or a bit of local history – if there’s a Stagecoach bus there then you can use your UniRider!
Situated in the heart of the city is Canterbury Bus Station, with buses to Whitstable, Herne Bay, Thanet, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Faversham, Sittingbourne and Maidstone. Our buses provide great transport links, whether you’re commuting into the city, or you’re in need of respite away from it - explore the South East at no extra cost on Stagecoach buses.
Well linked to Kent’s coastal towns, hop on the #400 or #401 bus to Whitstable, #8 to Margate and the #16 to Folkestone, explore them all to find your perfect beach spot.
Be at one with nature… Hop on the #43 for a trip to Wingham Wildlife Park or the #600, #601 or #602 for a trip to Wildwood in Herne Bay.
In need of the shopping hotspots? Hop on the #8 to Westwood Cross Shopping Centre or jump on the #1/1A to Ashford Designer Outlet.
Need more information or have a question? Click here for our Help & Contact services.
