Getting to Kingston: Airport pickup service - Guidance and advice

Getting to Kingston: airport pick-up service

We understand that arriving in a new country can be both exciting and a bit scary! That's why we offer an airport pick-up service for new international, European and visiting students living in the local area.

Simply book your flight for the pick-up date and register online. We'll meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in the local area. Please note: bookings for the airport pick-up service are now closed.

Please note: if your accommodation is in lodgings or private accommodation we will collect you from the airport, but we will take you to our International Welcome Centre first and, from there, arrange a taxi to take you directly to your accommodation.

When: details of the September 2013 pick-up service will be available shortly
Where: from Heathrow or Gatwick airports only
To book: bookings for the airport pick-up service are now closed; the booking form will be available shortly

Please note: you will need to have your KU ID application number and password to book the airport pick-up service. If you have not received this by email, please email apposis@kingston.ac.uk with your full name and date of birth.

We also arrange lots of exciting welcome and orientation events, including an International Welcome Centre to help familiarise you with your new surroundings and make new friends. These events take place before your classes start, so arriving early means you can adjust to your new environment, catch up on any lost sleep and sort out any personal matters.

Who will meet me?

If you've successfully booked the service, a friendly Kingston University representative will be in the arrivals area to meet you. You won't miss them – they'll be wearing a bright green t-shirt and holding a green Kingston University sign! A friendly Kingston University representative will be in the arrivals area to meet you. You won't miss them – they'll be wearing a bright green t-shirt and holding a green Kingston University sign! They'll take you to your transport when it arrives.

Please note: If your flight lands after 5.00pm, you may be met by a taxi driver instead of university staff. The driver will wait in the arrivals area holding a green Kingston University sign and will take you directly to your accommodation.

Check your arrival time

Although we offer a 24-hour service, we recommend that you book a flight that arrives between 6.00am–5.00pm (if possible). Arriving between these hours means that you'll be met by Kingston University staff and will have the opportunity to meet other international students who have also just arrived.

How long will it take?

At the airport, you may have to wait with other students for a taxi, and your transport may make a number of stops before you arrive at your destination. We will endeavour to get you to your accommodation, or the International Welcome Centre, within three hours of meeting you at the airport.

What if I miss the booking deadline or will be arriving on another day?

If you are arriving on another day, have missed the booking deadline, or want to arrange your own transport, Kingston is easy to get to:

What if my accommodation is outside of the local area?

If you will be living outside what we class as the local area, you will need to arrange your own transport. For information about public transport between Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the Kingston area, please visit our Getting to Kingston webpage.

If you would like to book a taxi at your own expense, here are local taxi companies we'd recommend:

Mogul Radio Cars: +44 (0)20 8390 0888
Crown Cars: +44 (0)20 8546 4444
Parker Car Service: +44 (0)20 8560 0000

What if I can't find a Kingston representative?

If you can't find a Kingston representative, please go to the airport information desk in the arrivals hall and ask for a public announcement to be made for any Kingston University representatives to meet you there.

Can relatives or friends use the service?

Unfortunately, we can't reserve spaces on the pick-up service for your relatives or friends. However, a Kingston representative at the airport will be happy to advise on alternative transportation options for them.

What if I am staying in lodgings or private accommodation?

If your accommodation will be with either lodgings or private accommodation we will collect you from the airport, but we will take you to our International Welcome Centre first and, from there, arrange a taxi to take you directly to your accommodation.

We highly recommend that you contact your landlord/landlady before you leave your home country, and provide them with your flight details so that they can ensure you can gain access to the property when you arrive. If you do not have their details please contact our Accommodation Team on accommodation@kingston.ac.uk, who will be happy to help you.

We will have a dedicated telephone line for students staying in lodgings or private accommodation, so when you arrive from the airport you can call your landlord/landlady to let them know that you are on your way to your accommodation.

What else do I need to know?

You and your accompanying luggage will be transported to your accommodation after you are met. If you have luggage that needs to be collected from the airport's cargo department, you will need to make separate arrangements for this.
Check that your accommodation is located in the local area.
If you are staying in lodgings, ensure that you have contacted your landlord/landlady before you leave your home country and inform them of your flight details.
Please note that buses and trains do not operate throughout the night.

Welcome and orientation

Download the International Welcome and Orientation Guide (PDF) to find out about the events and services we offered to new international, European and visiting students in our January 2013 cohort.