My guide to navigating the buses in Southampton

Here's a guide to navigating Soton by bus

Key information: If you are living in the University's halls of residence, you'll receive a free Unilink bus pass that allows you to travel on any daytime bus services for free, including Bluestar buses. The bus pass allows you to travel only in the Southampton zone, but you can still get on the 1 to Winchester and the 2 to Eastleigh and only pay for your return journey. 

It can be confusing enough moving away to university, so I hope this guide to using the buses will simplify things for you! 

Top tip: The Unilink buses that are going to the city centre all have a C in their name! e.g., U1C

Living at Wessex Lane? You can easily take the U6 or 2 from Woodmill Lane bus stop into the city centre, Portswood and Bevois Valley. The U6 will take you directly there, but you’d have to get off of the 2 at Spring Crescent bus stop. These routes connect you to lots of great places to explore, to eat, and shop. Alternatively, you can hop on the U1A to Airport Parkway train station and the U1C to the city centre, right from your accommodation's bus stop. However, it does take a detour via campus, so I’d advise you take the U6 instead for a quicker journey.

Living at City Gateway? The 2 and the U6 will be your best friends when getting around from the Swaythling McDonald's bus stop. The U6H will take you up to Highfield Campus, Shirley (which is a great charity shopping spot!) and Southampton General hospital should you need it. The U6C takes you into the city centre and ends its journey at the Southampton Central train station, making it easy for any day trips out or journeys home. If you are needing to get to the closer train station, Airport Parkway, take the U1A from High Road bus stop for an easy journey there.

Living at Glen Eyre? You can get the U2 from your own halls' bus stop outside Chamberlain Halls which will take you into the city centre and take you down to campus if you would rather not walk. A top tip is to make use of the nearby Holly Hill bus stop, which you can get the 1 into the city significantly more quickly. Alternatively, you can take it to Winchester if you fancy a day out. The U6H stops at Glen Eyre Road, which is a short walk for you if you live in Glen, it’ll take you to Shirley (a great charity shopping spot!) and onto the Southampton General hospital should you need it. 

Living at Mayflower? The U2 comes right to you, at the bus stop outside your halls building and can take you to Boldrewood, Avenue and Highfield Campus very easily. You can also take a short walk to Asda where you can get the U1A from if you are ever needing to go to the Airport Parkway train station, Wide Lane sports facilities or visit a friend at Wessex Lane. 

Living at Archers Road? Take a walk over to the Archers Road bus stop and you can get on the U1C to go into the city centre or the U1A if you need to get to the Wide Lane Sports Facilities or Airport Parkway train station it’ll take you directly there and is also useful if you fancy a visit to Portswood! You can also jump on a U2 if you are going to Avenue Campus or Highfield Campus, as it is often quicker to get to Highfield because it cuts out Portswood Road.  

P.S. Don’t be afraid to enter bus stops into your maps app and follow the directions. We’ve all been there!