Best Student Accommodation in staines-upon-thames, United Kingdom

Staines-upon-Thames does not have a large university campus within the town itself. However, several universities are within commuting distance, making student accommodation in Staines-upon-Thames a possible option for students attending nearby institutions.

University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is based in Guildford, just 35 minutes from central London by train. The university has around 410 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university is among the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Surrey has particularly strong subject areas in hospitality and tourism, information technology, engineering, veterinary medicine, business, and health sciences. Hospitality and leisure management is ranked first in the UK and 18th globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

The university is kind of far from Staines, so students considering student housing in Staines-upon-Thames should check daily travel times before choosing accommodation. Train journeys from Staines to Guildford require a change and can take around 45 minutes at their fastest.

St Mary’s University, Twickenham

St Mary’s University, Twickenham, is around nine miles from Staines-upon-Thames. For more than 160 years, St Mary's has been providing students with a first-class education and a unique social experience.

Its academic areas include business and law, education, humanities, media and creative arts, social sciences, sport, health, and science. St Mary’s also recorded a strong result in the 2026 National Student Survey, ranking 13th among UK universities overall.

Students considering affordable student accommodation in Staines-upon-Thames can commute to Twickenham by train or bus. The journey from Staines to St Mary’s takes around 36 minutes by train with a change at Twickenham.

Staines-upon-Thames student accommodation includes private rooms, studios, shared apartments, and one-bedroom apartments. Current local listings show rooms from roughly £580 per month, while modern one-bedroom apartments can exceed £1,300 per month.

• Thames Edge: This Staines-upon-Thames student accommodation offers flats, shared flats, and studios, which come with a regular cleaning service, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi.

• Check the distance from the university: Students should compare walking, bus, and train journeys rather than looking only at the property's distance on a map. This is particularly important for student housing in Staines-upon-Thames because several universities are located outside the town.
• Set your budget: Compare rent with food, transport, and other regular expenses.
• Consider transport: Accommodation close to Staines station or Elmsleigh Bus Station can make commuting easier. This is useful for students choosing student accommodation in Staines-upon-Thames while studying in Egham, Twickenham, or Guildford.
• Check included bills: Some student apartments in Staines-upon-Thames include electricity, water, heating, and Wi-Fi, while private rentals may charge utilities separately.
• Look at safety: Check for secure entry, CCTV, on-site staff, maintenance support, and other security features before booking Staines-upon-Thames student accommodation.

Staines-upon-Thames has a relatively high cost of living compared with many UK towns due to its proximity to London. Students should budget for rent, groceries, transport, and everyday expenses.

Student Accommodation

Groceries

Utilities

Transportation

Prices may change depending on the property, season, academic year, and wider market conditions. Students should check current prices before creating their budget.

Staines-upon-Thames has a railway station and central bus station, with services connecting the town to Egham, Heathrow, Walton-on-Thames, Kingston, Woking, and London. The town has no tube or conventional metro station, so students mainly rely on buses and National Rail services.

Bus

Buses are one of the most useful options for student housing in Staines-upon-Thames. White Bus operates routes including the 441 between Staines, Egham, and Englefield Green via Royal Holloway, while other routes connect the town with Heathrow and surrounding Surrey areas.

White Bus offers student fares, including a £4 student day ticket, a £20 seven-day ticket, and a £70 28-day ticket on its network. Royal Holloway also states that students can receive a 33% discount on relevant Surrey services with a valid student ID.

Trains

Staines Station is managed by South Western Railway and provides direct rail connections towards London Waterloo and other destinations. The station has step-free access, lifts, Wi-Fi, CCTV, and staff assistance.

Students who commute regularly can consider a Railcard. South Western Railway states that the 16-25 Railcard costs £35 for one year and provides one-third off eligible standard-class fares. Off-peak tickets and season tickets can also help students reduce regular travel costs.

• Libraries: Staines Library is part of Surrey's library network and provides a central place for reading, research, and study. It is also used for local events and activities.
• Cafés: Coffee Genius is a speciality coffee shop serving artisanal drinks, filter coffee, and homemade treats. It also offers freshly roasted coffee beans and barista classes, making it an interesting spot for students who enjoy coffee.
• Museums and culture: Spelthorne Museum in the Elmsleigh Centre explores the history and archaeology of the local area, with exhibits covering prehistoric Spelthorne, Roman Staines, the Georgian and Victorian periods, and local heritage. Its collection includes Roman artefacts, the London Stone, a 1738 fire engine and a replica of Neolithic Shepperton Woman.
• Parks: Lammas Recreation Ground sits beside the River Thames and has green space, tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a BMX and skatepark.
• Events: Visit Staines publishes local events throughout the year, including live performances, library activities, community events and seasonal programmes. Recent events have included free outdoor theatre, the Staines Chicken Crawl and cultural activities at Staines Library.
• Student discounts: Students can use a range of local discounts. Visit Staines lists offers from businesses including Boots, Burger King, and Co-op.