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Travelling to the UK

Immigration, Customs and Passport Control

When you arrive in the UK you will need to show an Immigration Officer your official documents to show that you can legally enter the country. Make sure you have:

  • Your valid passport, complete with your visa
  • Letter detailing your unconditional offer on a course at the RVC
  • Evidence of financial support
  • Details of accommodation in the UK (such as a tenancy agreement)
  • Evidence of a recent medical examination (if required - check with your embassy)

Remember to make sure that all these documents are in your hand luggage!

You will then be required to pass through the Customs area of the airport. You are only allowed to bring a certain amount of goods into the UK tax-free. In addition, some goods are completely prohibited. You can check with your local British Embassy or High Commission if you are unsure what you are allowed to bring. At the airport, you will have to choose between the Green: Nothing to Declare and Red: Goods to Declare exits.

Travel from the airport to the RVC

You will need to bring approximately £100 in UK currency to cover your initial expenses such as travel from the airport and general costs for your first day in the UK.

London bus

We recommend that where possible you fly into one of the London airports, as this will make your onward journey much easier. Students will need to pay for their own travel from the airport to the RVC. However an airport meet and greet service at Heathrow and Gatwick is available; please inform the RVC of your travel plans as soon as possible so that we can try to arrange for a current student to meet you and accompany you back to the RVC. Email your travel plans to fnouri@rvc.ac.uk. Please note that the meet and greet service cannot be used if you will be travelling into London on the Heathrow or Gatwick Express trains.

The RVC's London campus in Camden has good travel links; the nearest tube station is Mornington Crescent, with Camden Town, King's Cross and Euston all within walking distance. King's Cross and Euston also have major overground rail stations.

If you plan on using the London Underground, it is advisable to collect an Oyster Card from the first station you visit. Oyster Cards allow you to swipe in and out of London tube and bus services, and charge a lower rate than using paper tickets. You can add any amount of pre-pay cash or daily, weekly, monthly or annual travel passes. For full details on tickets, and maps of the London travel network, go to www.tfl.gov.uk. Once you have registered with the RVC, you will be entitled to a reduced rate on all travel on the London transport network (however, please note that this may be subject to delays while Transport for London process your application).

The RVC uses a taxi firm called Bee Gee Taxis, who can be contacted on +44 20 7485 1668. Please bear in mind that if you book a taxi in advance and your flight is delayed, you may be charged a waiting fee by the taxi firm.

You will also find that a London A-Z map book is invaluable during your time here, so you may wish to purchase one at your earliest opportunity.

London Heathrow

From Heathrow, you can take the overground Heathrow Express into Paddington station (£14), from which you can either take a black cab (approximately £10-15) or the underground to the London campus in Camden.

The Piccadilly line on the underground network serves Heathrow directly; you will need to travel to Leicester Square and change onto the Northern line, which you can then take up to Mornington Crescent station. This is the cheapest option at around £6 a ticket.

Alternatively, you can take a black cab from Heathrow to the Camden Campus at a cost of approximately £80. Although expensive, this is the easiest option, particularly if you have a large amount of luggage.

Gatwick

The Gatwick Express runs frequently between Gatwick airport and King’s Cross Thameslink, and costs £11. This journey takes around 45 minutes. From King’s Cross, a taxi to the RVC is approx £5 and should take no more than 10 minutes. If you prefer to walk, this will take around 15 minutes.

A black cab from Gatwick to Camden will cost in excess of £100. Gatwick Airport recommends Checker Cars, a taxi firm that allows you to book in advance and offer a quoted fare system. Please go to www.checkercars.com for further information.

Useful Links

For more information on transport to and from the airport, please refer to the websites below.

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