The beginning of student life is one of the most exciting times for any new student. New school, new home, new friends and, for many, a completely new city. If you got into one of the schools of the University of Patras and you prepare to settle in Patras, one of the first things you will need to organize is your daily commute.
Η Patras is a vibrant student city, with the center, Rio, the University, the intercity bus station, and various neighborhoods serving as places you will likely visit frequently. In the first few days, however, even a simple route can seem complicated when you are not yet familiar with the area.
To help you start the new academic year in a more organized way, we’ve gathered 7 useful tips for getting around Patras for first-year students.
1. Learn the key areas of Patras during the first week
You don't need to know every street in the city from day one. However, it is useful to quickly familiarize yourself with certain key locations.
Depending on your faculty and where you live, you will likely travel back and forth several times between of:
- the center of Patras,
- the the University of Patras,
- the Rio,
- the area where your student home is located,
- the the KTEL of Achaia,
- railway or other transport hubs,
- entertainment venues and student hangouts.
Save your home address and the key locations you visit to your mobile phone. This way, even if you aren't very familiar with the area, it will be easier to provide the correct destination when taking a taxi or using a ride-hailing app.
2. Plan your route to the University of Patras early on
One of the first things a first-year student needs to figure out is how to get to university every day.
The University of Patras and the wider Rio area are a key daily destination for a large number of students. Choosing the right mode of transport depends on where you live, the time of your class, and your daily schedule.
During the first few days, it is a good idea to try out different options so you have a rough idea of how long it takes to get to the school.
And since we’ve all had one of those mornings when the alarm didn’t go off—or it did, and we simply ignored it—it’s useful to have a quick alternative for days when time is tight.
Don't look for a taxi at the last minute.
Save now one Taxi app in Patras on your mobile phone and request a ride when you need it.
[Download the app for Android – Google Play]
[Download the app for Android – App Store]
3. Plan your travel carefully when you have luggage
A student's first arrival in Patras usually doesn't happen with just a simple backpack.
Suitcases, boxes, bags, a laptop, personal belongings, and items for the new home can turn even a short distance into a real ordeal.
If you are arriving in the city via the Intercity Bus (KTEL) or another station, taking a taxi directly to your student accommodation can save you from constant transfers and walking with luggage.
The same applies when you return to Patras after a weekend or a holiday with your family.
4. Always have an alternative transport option
In student life, your schedule rarely stays exactly as you planned it.
A class might finish late. An assignment might keep you at school longer. A night out might last into the early hours of the morning.
That is why it is important to know more than one way of getting around.
Public transport can cover a large part of your daily commutes, while taxis can serve as a supplement when you need direct transport, have luggage, are in a hurry, or the timing isn't convenient.
The most important thing is not to find yourself late at night, for the first time, trying to figure out how to get back home.
5. Learn how to get around Patras city center
The student experience is not limited to the commute between home and university.
The Patras city center is an important part of daily life for many students. Coffee, food, shopping, services, socializing, and nights out mean that you will soon start getting to know the city better.
During the first few weeks, save the locations you visit most frequently on your mobile phone. Especially if you live far from the city center or in the Rio area, it is useful to know in advance how you will get back home.
Getting around Patras from your mobile
Whether you’re heading to school or returning from the city center, you can have a transportation solution ready whenever you need it.
Download the taxi app and easily request a ride from your smartphone.
6. Pay special attention to getting around after a night out
Patras is known for its student life, and very soon you will start discovering the places where groups of friends meet up and students have fun.
Before you go out, however, think about the return trip as well.
If you know you’ll be returning late or are in an area you don’t know well, plan ahead. Make sure your mobile phone is charged, save your home address, and opt for an organized transport arrangement rather than scrambling for a solution at the last minute.
If you are going out with a group and your destination is the same or nearby, you can also plan your route together.
7. Make the taxi app part of your student "kit"
There are a few things almost every freshman immediately installs on their phone: their university email, maps, communication apps, and academic tools.
A Taxi app in Patras can be equally useful.
That doesn't mean you need to use a taxi for every trip. It means you have an extra option when:
- you're late for class,
- you come back late,
- you travel with suitcases,
- you arrive at the bus station,
- you don't know the area,
- it is raining or weather conditions make travel difficult,
- you need to reach a specific destination directly.
The best time to install the app isn't when you urgently need it. It's before you need it.
Start your student life in Patras in a more organized way.
A new city means new routes. Have a taxi just a tap away whenever you need one.
Download the taxi app for Patras now:
[Download for Android – Google Play]
[Download for iPhone – App Store]
A first-year student in Patras? The routes will soon feel familiar.
In the first days, Patras might seem vast and unfamiliar. In a few weeks, however, the routes to the university, the city center, Rio, and home will have become part of your daily routine.
The important thing is to get organized from the start.
Learn the city's main landmarks, calculate the route to the University of Patras, have alternative transport options and take extra care with your travel arrangements when you have luggage or are returning late.
Student life is full of new experiences. Getting around doesn't have to be the hard part.
Welcome to Patras — and best of luck starting at your new school!
