Airport Arrivals

Arriving in the UK as a New Student: How to Find Your Driver and How Long to Allow

For many new students the flight is the easy part. The worries start after landing: what if the flight is late, will all the luggage fit, how do I find the driver, and can I be taken right to my accommodation? This guide follows arrival day in order, so you and your family can travel with peace of mind.

Last updated: 2026-10-27

Quick answer

Book with your flight number and arrival time (UK local time) and we follow your flight. No waiting fees for airport pickups.
After landing, clear immigration and collect your bags. Your driver waits near the airport – once you have all your bags, message the driver in the group chat and they will arrive within 15 to 20 minutes.
Online bookings need at least 48 hours' notice; book early for the September start of term.
List every bag honestly – for example, 7-seat vehicle, 6 passengers: up to 3 large OR 6 small cases (boot behind the last row).
We can take you to the door of your halls or home, and Chinese-speaking drivers are available.

After landing: immigration, baggage, then arrivals

Follow the “Arrivals” signs to the border check, collect your checked bags from the carousel and pass through customs before you reach the arrivals hall. At the start of term (especially September) many flights land at once, so queues and baggage can take longer than usual.

Keep your passport and study documents in your hand luggage so they are ready at the border, and take a photo of your checked cases before you lock them – it helps if you ever need the baggage desk.

How long to allow: scheduled coaches vs a private transfer

If you take a scheduled university coach, you have to build in the time yourself. The University of Exeter's arrival guidance, for example, asks students to allow at least 2.5 hours between flight arrival and coach departure for customs, baggage and terminal transfers – and its coaches run on set days only.

With a TSAY transfer you don't have to guess: give us your flight arrival time and we follow the flight, with no waiting fees if it is delayed. Once you have your bags, message the driver in the group and they come to the meeting point.

For overnight flights, the pickup date is the day you land in the UK, not the day you take off. See our guide on flight arrival time vs pickup time.

How to find your driver after landing

1
Before you travel
We set up a WhatsApp / WeChat / LINE group and confirm your driver details and meeting point.
2
Before boarding
Send a quick message in the group so we can follow your flight.
3
When you land
Join the airport Wi-Fi, let your family know you have arrived and tell us in the group.
4
Bags collected
Your driver waits near the airport – once you have all your bags, message the driver in the group and they will arrive within 15 to 20 minutes.
5
On your way
Your driver meets you at the agreed point, with updates in the group until you reach your halls.

Luggage: list every bag so we match the right vehicle

Many new students bring two large cases and one small case each, sometimes plus a box or a sports bag. Luggage that looks modest at home often takes far more room in the car, so please list every item when you book.

5-seat saloon – 2 passengers: up to 2 large + 2 small cases; 3 passengers: up to 3 large cases only. For other group sizes, please tell us your luggage in the booking form and we'll advise.
7-seat vehicle – 2 passengers: up to 4 large + 2 small cases; 3 passengers: up to 6 large + 3 small cases; 4 passengers: up to 4 large + 4 small cases (one rear seat folded); 5 passengers: up to 3 large OR 6 small cases (boot behind the last row); 6 passengers: up to 3 large OR 6 small cases (boot behind the last row). For other group sizes, please tell us your luggage in the booking form and we'll advise.
9-seat vehicle – Up to 8 large + 8 small cases.

Luggage capacity is a guide and depends on the actual size of your luggage. For oversized or unusually shaped items, add a note in the booking form and we will suggest a suitable vehicle.

Straight to the door of your halls

Give the full address and postcode of your halls or home, plus the building name, when you book.
Check your accommodation's check-in times first; if you land early in the morning and check-in opens later, arrange this with your accommodation in advance.

How far ahead should I book?

Online bookings need at least 48 hours' notice. For an urgent request, please WhatsApp us – TSAY will do its best to help, depending on driver, vehicle and traffic arrangements.

Every booking needs the passenger's phone number so the driver and our team can reach you. Our service hours are 08:00 to 22:00 UK time. To cancel, please give at least 48 hours' notice.

Guide prices (per vehicle, per journey)

TSAY is based in Nottingham and covers the whole of the UK. These are our published fixed-route prices – per vehicle, not per person, the same in either direction, with car park and drop-off charges included and no waiting fees for airport pickups.

Nottingham to/from Heathrow: 5-seat saloon £220 / 7-seat vehicle £260 / 9-seat vehicle £290
Nottingham to/from Manchester Airport: 5-seat saloon £200 / 7-seat vehicle £230 / 9-seat vehicle £250
Nottingham to/from Gatwick: 5-seat saloon £270 / 7-seat vehicle £300 / 9-seat vehicle £330
Nottingham to/from East Midlands Airport: 5-seat saloon £65 / 7-seat vehicle £75 / 9-seat vehicle £95
Nottingham to/from Birmingham Airport: 5-seat saloon £110 / 7-seat vehicle £130 / 9-seat vehicle £150

Listed prices apply to journeys up to 31 December 2026 and may be revised from 2027; the final price is the quote shown on the website when you book. For other airports or routes, ask for a quote on the booking page.

How airport transfers work

From take-off to your door, your driver and our team stay with you in one group chat.

Before you travelWe set up a WhatsApp / WeChat / LINE group and confirm your driver details and meeting point.
Before boardingSend us a quick message in the group and we follow your flight.
When you landWe message you in the group as soon as you land.
Meet your driverYour driver meets you in arrivals. No waiting fees for airport pickups.
ArriveUpdates in the group until you reach your door or dorm.

Please give at least 48 hours' notice to cancel.

Facts to know before you arrive

Facts checked: 27 October 2026

UK clocks went back one hour on 25 October 2026, so the UK is now on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT); they go forward again on 28 March 2027. Arrival times on your ticket are UK local time.GOV.UK: When do the clocks change?
eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents. Before you travel, sign in to your UKVI account and check your current passport details are added.GOV.UK: eVisas
Meat, dairy and some fruit and vegetables are restricted when you bring food into Great Britain; bread, biscuits and packaged pasta or noodles without meat are not.GOV.UK: Bringing food into Great Britain
Heathrow offers free Wi-Fi in every terminal (select “Heathrow Wi-Fi” and register), so you can message home as soon as you land.Heathrow: Internet and Wi-Fi
The University of Exeter asks students to allow at least 2.5 hours between flight arrival and its welcome coach, which ran on set days in September 2026 only.University of Exeter: Travelling to our campuses
TSAY prices, passenger capacities and luggage guidance are taken from this website's price table (27 October 2026).TSAY prices and vehicle information

Frequently asked questions

What if my flight is delayed – will the driver leave?

No. Give us your flight number when you book and we follow the actual arrival time. No waiting fees for airport pickups. Message the group when you land, then let the driver know once you have your bags.

How long after landing until I'm in the car?

It depends on the immigration queue and baggage. Your driver waits near the airport – once you have all your bags, message the driver in the group and they will arrive within 15 to 20 minutes.

Two large cases and one small case each – which vehicle should we book?

Enter the number of passengers and every bag in the booking form and we will suggest a vehicle using our luggage guidance: 5-seat saloon – 2 passengers: up to 2 large + 2 small cases; 3 passengers: up to 3 large cases only. For other group sizes, please tell us your luggage in the booking form and we'll advise. 7-seat vehicle – 2 passengers: up to 4 large + 2 small cases; 3 passengers: up to 6 large + 3 small cases; 4 passengers: up to 4 large + 4 small cases (one rear seat folded); 5 passengers: up to 3 large OR 6 small cases (boot behind the last row); 6 passengers: up to 3 large OR 6 small cases (boot behind the last row). For other group sizes, please tell us your luggage in the booking form and we'll advise. 9-seat vehicle – Up to 8 large + 8 small cases. Luggage capacity is a guide and depends on the actual size of your luggage.

Can you drop me right outside my halls?

Yes. Give us the full address and postcode of your halls or home and the driver will take you to the door.

What's the latest I can book?