Student bus travel in South Scotland

Affordable bus travel for students across Ayrshire and Arran, Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway

Whether you're a student preparing for college or university, or a parent helping your child choose the right travel option, Stagecoach offers affordable and flexible travel across South Scotland. From free Under 22s bus travel to discounted student tickets available all year round, we've got a ticket to suit every journey.

Student life is busy, and getting around should be easy. With the Stagecoach Bus App, everything you need to travel is right in your pocket.

• Plan your journey - Whether you're heading to lectures, work, the gym or a night out with friends, our app helps you find the quickest route and plan your journey in just a few taps.

• Track your bus live - No more guessing when your bus will arrive. Use live bus tracking and real-time updates to see exactly where your bus is and when it's due at your stop.
• Buy your tickets in seconds - Skip the queues and buy your tickets straight from the app. Store them securely on your phone and activate them when you're ready to travel.
• Save your favourites - Regularly travel to campus or your favourite hangouts? Save your most-used stops and routes for even faster journey planning.
• Get service updates - Stay one step ahead with travel alerts and service updates, helping you avoid delays and keep moving.

Travel smarter with the Stagecoach Bus App

From planning your journey to tracking your bus and buying tickets, the Stagecoach Bus App makes student travel simple, convenient and stress-free. Download it today and get where you need to be, with less hassle and more time for the things that matter. 🚍📱

Whether it's helping your child get to college, university or work, or making it easier for them to come home for a visit, you can send selected bus tickets directly through the Stagecoach Bus App.

How to send a ticket:

Friends and family can also send tickets, making it easy to lend a helping hand with travel costs and keep students connected throughout the year.

Free bus travel for students

If you're a student under 22 and live in Scotland for more than six months of the year, you may be eligible for the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

Travel for free on buses across Scotland, whether you're heading to class, work or meeting friends. All you need is a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. 

Apply for your free pass here

Not sure which ticket is right for you?

Whether you’re heading to lectures every day or only travelling a few times a week, we’ve got a ticket to suit your journey. Take a look at our most popular student ticket options and find the best fit for your travel habits.

View Fares & Ticket Guide

£2 Single
"I only need the bus for one or two journeys today."

DayRider
"I'm travelling a few times today and want unlimited bus travel for the day."

MegaRider (7 Day or 4 Week)
"I travel by bus almost every day and want the best value for regular travel."

Flexi 5
"I only travel once or twice a week."
Get 5 DayRider tickets for the price of 4.

Flexi 10
"My travel varies from week to week."
Get 10 DayRider tickets for the price of 7, giving you flexibility and great savings when you don't travel every day.

Top tip: If you're only making two bus journeys a day, the new £2 Single fare could work out cheaper. If you're travelling more often, unlimited travel tickets like DayRider and MegaRider may offer better value. Check which option best matches your travel habits before you buy.

Travel to campus and beyond

Our network connects students across Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries, making it easy to get to college, university and everything in between.

• Express services from Ayr, Kilmarnock, Cumbernauld and Dumfries into Glasgow city centre
• Easy access to Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Strathclyde and City of Glasgow College via Buchanan Bus Station
• Selected X76 and X77 services serve the University of Glasgow
• Great value DayRider, MegaRider and Flexi tickets available across the region
• Travel for lectures, work, days out and nights out with one ticket

Student travel in Ayrshire

Studying in Ayr? Our local ticket options make travelling around town simple and affordable, whether you're heading to class, work or meeting friends.

With services across Ayrshire and great value local tickets, getting where you need to be has never been easier.

Explore more of South Scotland

From campus commutes to weekend adventures, Stagecoach helps you make the most of student life. Whether you're discovering Glasgow for the first time or travelling between home and university, we've got a ticket to suit your journey.

Student and parent FAQs

For Students

Can I travel for free if I'm under 22?

Yes. If you're aged 5 to 21 and living in Scotland, you may be eligible for free bus travel with a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC.

What students discounts are available?

If you're studying at college or university and have valid student ID, you can access discounted student tickets across South Scotland, helping you save on travel to lectures, work and days out.

What do I need to get a student ticket?

You’ll need a valid student ID. This can be a college or university ID card, digital student ID or UNiDAYS ID.

Can I buy a ticket on my phone?

Yes. You can buy, store and use tickets through the Stagecoach Bus App, as well as plan journeys and track your bus in real time.

Can I use Stagecoach services to get to university in Glasgow?

Yes. Our network connects Ayrshire, Dumfries, Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire with Glasgow city centre, making it easy to reach universities, colleges, work and social activities.

For Parents

How can I help my child travel more affordably?

Students under 22 may be eligible for free bus travel, while older students can benefit from discounted student tickets available throughout the year.

Can I buy a ticket for my child?

Yes. Selected tickets can be purchased and sent directly through the Stagecoach Bus App, making it simple to help with travel costs.

Is bus travel a good option for getting to college or university?

Stagecoach services connect many colleges and universities across South Scotland, including campuses in Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries, helping students travel independently and affordably.

My child is studying in Scotland but isn't originally from Scotland. Can they still get free bus travel?

Students living in Scotland for more than six months of the year may be eligible for the Under 22s free bus travel scheme.

Where can I find more information about student tickets and travel options?

Our local student travel pages provide information on ticket types, prices, travel zones and available discounts across South Scotland.

Student bus travel questions? we’ve got you

Get answers to common questions about student bus travel, including buying student tickets, accessing discounts, using the Stagecoach Bus App and planning your journey.

Find answers to your student travel questions