Now that I’m back in St. Louis, I’ve realized there are a lot of things I miss about Manchester. The pub culture, my friends… but also the public transportation. In Manchester, they have something called the Bee Network, which operates the city’s double-decker buses. Each ride costs just £2 (about $2.65), making it an incredibly affordable way to get around. The buses are also consistently clean and reliable. One piece of advice, though: avoid taking the bus during a heat wave — they don’t have air conditioning!

Beyond the buses, the U.K. has an extensive railway system that makes traveling between cities incredibly easy. The train operator you use depends on the region you’re traveling in. For example, trains running through Manchester are operated by Northern, but there are many others, including South Western Railway, North Western Railway and rail services throughout Wales. If you’re studying in the U.K., I highly recommend purchasing a Railcard. It costs £35 per year and gives students discounts on nearly every train ticket they purchase. The savings can be substantial — sometimes close to half off. I bought one shortly after arriving and made my money back surprisingly quickly.

One of my favorite things about the U.K.’s public transportation system was how easy it made everyday life. Whether I was meeting friends for coffee or taking day trips to places like Bath, Bristol and beyond, getting around was simple, affordable and stress-free. It’s one of the things I miss most about living in the U.K., and it’s something I wish we had more of back home.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: University of Manchester