Getting around Bristol
Bristol is an easy city to explore by foot and indeed you run the risk of missing some of the most interesting sights if you are driving. If you get a little foot sore there is a good central bus service and a plentiful supply of taxis. The city also is fast becoming cycle friendly with a steadily increasing number of designated cycle lanes.
Buses
First Group operates the majority of the buses in the city center. Payment is made to the driver as you board. The price is worked out on a zonal basis, for Bristol City Centre you need a ticket that covers zones 1 and 2. If you are planning to make more than one bus journey in a day the cheapest way to travel by bus is to buy a First Day ticket. If you are going to travel by bus over several days you can buy a First Ten that gives 10 adult single journeys to use any time over a period of three months. The buses generally stop running around midnight.
Taxis
You will see two types of Taxi in Bristol, Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles. Hackney carriages are blue and have a "Taxi" sign on the roof. They can be picked up from a taxi rank or flagged down in the street if the taxi sign is illuminated. There is a meter displaying the cost of your journey if it is taking place within the city boundary. If travelling outside the city boundary you should agree the price with the driver in advance. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked and should not be flagged down in the street. To avoid shocks you should ask the price of the journey when booking.
Cycling
There are several places for hiring bikes in Bristol. Click here for more details on hiring bikes and cycle routes.. The approximate cost to hire a bike is £15-20 per day.
The City Sightseeing open-top bus tour
Take a trip on the City Sightseeing open-top bus tour. The distinctive bright red open top bus is an entertaining and easy way to see Bristol. With live commentary, the bus stops near all the major places of interest.
Driving
Some important things to remember when driving in the UK:
• We drive on the left hand side of the road.
• The driver can be prosecuted if the occupants of the car are not wearing their seatbelts.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving although use of a "hands free" device is permitted.
• It is illegal to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Parking restrictions are strictly applied in Bristol so make sure to check the relevant signs detailing any restrictions and time limits. If you park illegally you may return to find that your car has been towed away and that you have been issued with a prosecution notice.
• Parking Wardens patrol parking areas to check that the correct payment has been made. If not, or if you have parked past the allowed time, you face a heavy fine.
• We drive on the left hand side of the road.
• The driver can be prosecuted if the occupants of the car are not wearing their seatbelts.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving although use of a "hands free" device is permitted.
• It is illegal to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Parking restrictions are strictly applied in Bristol so make sure to check the relevant signs detailing any restrictions and time limits. If you park illegally you may return to find that your car has been towed away and that you have been issued with a prosecution notice.
• Parking Wardens patrol parking areas to check that the correct payment has been made. If not, or if you have parked past the allowed time, you face a heavy fine.
