Free student travel with Stena Line returns
Favourite pillows (21%), mugs (18%) and even air fryers (11%) are among the most popular home comforts students want to take with them when they head off to university.
The travel habits were revealed as part of research carried out on behalf of Swedish-owned ferry company, Stena Line, ahead of the annual exodus to colleges and universities across the water.
But while moving to university marks the start of an exciting new chapter, leaving home for the first time can also be nerve-wracking. And the research suggests that taking a few familiar comforts from home can help students settle into their new surroundings.
A coffee machine (14%) also features on the list, alongside a teddy bear (14%) and hot-water bottle (13%). And 13% said they would love to bring their precious family pet.
The findings highlight just how important those familiar touches can be when students are getting used to life away from home — whether that's a favourite mug for a morning coffee, a much-loved pillow or simply having plenty of home comforts around them.
Students are not planning on packing light, with almost nine in 10 students planning to pack three-quarters of a car boot or more when they head off to university — with almost half expecting to fill it to the brim with everything they need from home.
The poll also found that 83% of young people have travelled home from university because they needed clean clothes, while 84% had travelled home because they had run out of money.
Meanwhile, 94% of students say they revert to a younger version of themselves when they return to the family home, relying on their parents and not shouldering responsibilities. Perhaps this explains why almost half of students, on the way back to university, admit to driving for up to an hour before realising they had left something important at home.
The insights come as Stena Line launches its Students Go Free offer. Simply book a motorist fare by September 30, 2026, and any student passengers will travel for free.
Plus, with the travel period for the offer stretching all the way into January (ending January 31, 2027), the deal can also be used to bring students — and a car full of laundry — home for the holidays.
Stena Line Travel Commercial Manager Irish Sea, Orla Noonan, said the company prides itself on making the transition to university plain sailing for students.
She said: “We know thousands of students will soon be setting off on an exciting new adventure to universities in Great Britain.
“At Stena Line we want to make this as straightforward and stress-free as possible for students and their families, so across our Irish Sea routes we’re offering cost-effective travel.
“With no luggage limits, families can pack the car with everything students need to help them settle in, from study books to saucepans and duvets to dumbbells — and of course, Stena Line offers a range of options to travel comfortably with your pet.
“And for the parents (almost 18%) who like to deliver last-minute safety messages to their young adults, they can do so in the comfort of one of our luxurious lounges.
“We’re pleased to be able to support students as they navigate the move to university, helping them get there safely, comfortably and ready for a new chapter.”
Neha-nami Ligertwood, Queen’s University Belfast student and winner of the Stena Line Student Ambassador 25/26 shared her perspective: “I’ve brought my favourite plants, furniture and even my bicycle, all of which help make my apartment feel like home.
“Every term I travel with Stena Line on the Cairnryan to Belfast route and having no maximum luggage allowance means I can really fill my car with everything I need.”
The Students Go Free offer is available on the following routes: Cairnryan – Belfast; Liverpool – Belfast; Holyhead – Dublin; and Fishguard – Rosslare. When booking, simply enter the code UNI in the ‘Offer Code’ section.