Bristol Getting there & around

Getting around

Boat

The nicest way to commute around the city is with the Bristol Ferry Boat Co (927 3416; www.bristolferryboat.co.uk), which runs two routes: one from the city centre to Temple Meads (one hour, six to 10 daily April to October, weekends only November to March), stopping at Bristol Bridge and Castle Park; and one from the city centre to Hotwells (40 minutes, 12 to 16 daily year-round), stopping at Mardyke and the SS Great Britain. A single fare is £1.50, or you can pay £6 for a day’s unlimited travel.

^ Back to top

Bus & tram

Bus

Buses run from Parkway Station to the centre every 15 minutes (30 minutes). Buses 8 and 9 run every 15 minutes to Clifton (10 minutes), Whiteladies Rd and Bristol Zoo from St Augustine’s Pde; add another 10 minutes from Temple Meads.

FirstDay tickets (adult/child £4.40/2.70) are valid on all buses for one day in the Greater Bristol area. The FirstFamily ticket (£7) buys one day’s travel for two adults and three children, but is only valid after 9am Monday to Friday.

^ Back to top

Car & motorcycle

Bristol’s traffic can be a real headache, and the city has a seriously confusing one-way system – you’d be better off avoiding driving altogether or using the park-and-ride (922 2910; return £3 Mon-Fri before 10am, £2.50 after 10am Mon-Fri, £2 Sat; every 10 mins Mon-Sat), which operates from Portway, Bath Rd and Long Ashton. They’re well signed on routes into the city.

^ Back to top

Local transport

Taxi

The taxi rank on St Augustine’s Pde is a central but rowdy place on weekend nights. There are plenty of companies; try Bristol Hackney Cabs (953 8638).

^ Back to top

Bicycle

Hilly as Bristol is, masochists might want to hire bikes at Blackboy Hill Cycles (973 1420; 180 Whiteladies Rd; per day £10; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat).

^ Back to top