Local transport
TRANSPORT IN AND AROUND BRISTOL
One of the best things about Bristol is that most of the things you need are within walking distance and walking is a great way to save money and keep fit at the same time! The large majority of our accommodation is within 30 minutes' walking distance from the school and the city centre is just 20 minutes from school on foot.
However, we understand that some students just don't like walking and may prefer to use public transport. If so, the following advice is for you:
Need help? Try the South West Travel Line web site.
South West Travel Line also have a great journey planner app that you can download to your smartphone. You can find it on their website.
Buses are easy to use and run along most major routes.
See the First Bus website.
Students get a discount on all tickets across Bristol. All you need to do is show your ELC student card when you buy your ticket, or you can download the First Bus App and buy tickets on your smartphone. The App is the quickest and most convenient way to get tickets.
You can also buy your ticket from the driver when you get on the bus. Try always to have coins ready to pay, drivers sometimes may not have change if you give them a note. The most convenient bus stops for our students are at Clifton Down Shopping Centre and at Queen's Road.
Popular routes with our students:
City Centre, Cabot Circus Shopping Centre and Temple Meads Station. The cheapest option is the 8 or 9 from Queens Road. You can also catch a bus from Whiteladies Road (opposite the shopping centre). Most buses going down Whiteladies Road go to the Centre. If you are not sure, ask the driver as you get on.
Redland/Cotham (8) Stoke Bishop (3 or 4), Sneyd Park (4) and Henleaze (1 or 2) - Bus stop outside Clifton Down Shopping Centre.
Short journeys ("three stop hop") cost £1, or £0.70 with a student card.
Journeys within central Bristol (for example, from Queens Road / Whiteladies Road to the City Centre / Bristol Temple Meads railway station) are £2.00 or £1.40 with a student card.
Longer journeys, in the wider Bristol area, cost from £3.00 / £2.10 with a student card.
Bus Passes: If you are going to use the bus a lot you can buy a weekly buss for £12.00 via the First Bus app.
There is more information available about Bristol bus fares and passes here (and for information on where to buy passes click here).
COACHES TO OTHER CITIES
You can travel very easily and cheaply by coach from Bristol to other cities in Britain, such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, etc. This is a great way to get to see other parts of the country!
Click on the following links for more information about times and prices and to buy tickets on line:
Sn-ap
Young Persons Coachcards - cost £12.50 and give you 1/3 off National Express coach journeys. For details and an application form, click here.
BUSES AND TAXIS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORTS
Bristol has 2 main train stations - Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. You should always go to Temple Meads, as this is in the city centre and Bristol Parkway is on the outskirts of town.
Cost: You can always buy a train ticket when you arrive at the train station. However, it is cheaper to book it online in advance. Avoid peak times if you can and always buy a return ticket as this is cheaper than two single tickets.
Railcards: Save 1/3 on each journey. Cost £30.00. For more information, click here.
Bristol has its own city train line, which runs between Clifton Down (near the school), Redland (where we have many homestays) and the main train station in Bristol, Temple Meads. For train times from Clifton Down to Temple Meads click here. The cost is £1.50 single and £2.00 return. Buy your ticket from the ticket machine at the station or the guard on the train.
Bristol is generally a safe city, but sometimes late at night, rather than walking home alone, it might be better to take a taxi. It is cheaper to share taxis with friends, so it is good to know which other students live near you.
There are convenient taxi ranks outside Clifton Down Shopping Centre, in Cifton Village, by Wilkinson's shop on the Triangle and in the Centre.
If you are hailing one in the street, you should always make sure you do this on a main road and you should always make sure it is a licensed taxi service with a taxi sign on it. Bristol City Council taxis are blue.
Why not get off the beaten track and explore the countryside around Bristol? Favourite rides include the towpath along the River Avon from Bristol to Pill and the Bristol to Bath cycle path. There are many shops which hire out bikes, but we recommend Blackboy Hill Cycles. The shop is at the top of Whiteladies Road on the left.