English Language Centre Bristol

LOCAL TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT IN AND AROUND BRISTOL

One of the best things about Bristol is that everything you need is within walking distance. You can walk everywhere - a great way to save money and keep fit at the same time! Accommodation is all within walking distance of the school, maximum 30 minutes, and the city centre is just 20 minutes from school on foot. This makes it very easy, convenient and cheap to get around the city and makes Bristol a very popular destination for students!

However, sometimes you may prefer to use public transport to get around the city or to travel to other parts of the country. If so, the following advice is for you:

Need help? Try the South West Travel Line web site.

BUSES

If you really don't like walking, you can always take a bus. Buses are easy to use and run along most major routes. See Bristol Bus routes / City Centre Bus stops.

You buy your ticket from the driver when you get on the bus (try always to have change ready to pay). 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 (41), Sneyd Park (40) and Henleaze (53) - Bus stop outside Clifton Down Shopping Centre.

Cost: Short journeys cost from £0.80 (two stops), £1.55 from Queens Road to the Centre/Temple Meads and £2.30 for a longer journey (for example from Henleaze to Clifton Down or from Clifton Down to Temple Meads Station). Return journeys are cheaper.
Bus Passes: If you are going to use the bus a lot, you can buy a 'Firstweek' Zone 1 bus pass for £14.50 a week. Click here for details.

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:

• National Express
• Megabus

Student Coach Cards - cost £10.00 and give you up to 30% off. For details and an application form, click here.

BUSES AND TAXIS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORTS

TRAINS

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 out of town.

Cost: You can always buy a train ticket when you arrive at the train station. However, it is cheaper to book it on line in advance. Avoid peak times if you can and always buy a return ticket as this is much cheaper than two single tickets.

Rail cards: Save up to 30% on each journey. Cost £24.00. 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 in the station.

TAXIS

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. If you don't know, ask us!

There are convenient taxi ranks outside Clifton Down Shopping Centre, in Cifton Village, by Borders bookshop 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.

Alternatively, you can phone and book a taxi in advance. The following companies are well-known to us.

V Cars: Tel: 0117 9252626
Streamline: Tel: 0117 9264001

Taxis always have a meter and the charge will be indicated on the meter. Drivers appreciate a tip (about £1.00) but it is not required.

Approximate costs:
Homestay to Temple Meads station: £12.00
Homestay to the Bus Station: £10.00
School to the Centre £6.00

CAR HIRE

If you have a full driving licence and are over 21, why not hire a car for the weekend? You can explore the beautiful coastline of Devon and Cornwall or the picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. It is probably much cheaper than you imagine, especially if you share the cost with a few friends. For full information about hiring a car, click here.

BICYCLE HIRE

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 Cycles. The shop is at the top of Whiteladies Road on the left.