Make travel a breeze

Navigating the city is an essential skill that will not only help you commute to campus but will also enable you to explore Southampton's vibrant surroundings. From public transportation to convenient independent travel, this is your guide to getting around the city with ease.

Embrace public transportation

Unilink (bus): The city's bus network provides connections to all of our campuses, the city centre, train stations, airport and more! It's a reliable and cost-effective option for getting around so familiarise yourself with the routes, schedules, and bus stops near you to make your daily commute a breeze. 

National Express (coach): Travelling further afield? Then it's worth looking into travel by coach as it can be one of the cheapest ways to get around the UK. National Express runs services from Burgess Road all the way to London (and its airports) and also Winchester.

Train: Take advantage of Southampton Central for faster and more efficient travel. It's well connected but we'd recommend booking in advance for cheaper tickets and investing in a railcard if you plan on using the train frequently.

Ferry: Since we're right by the sea, you can easily hop on a ferry to get to the Isle of Wight and or Hythe. You can usually get a connecting bus to get from the port to the centre. Check Red Funnel and Hythe Ferry for prices.

Pedal power with bicycles

Southampton is perfect for cycling around, with a huge network on and off roads. We provide plenty of secure bike sheds around campus as well. If you would like access to the secure cycle stores, please email your name and student/staff I.D. number to uni-cycle@soton.ac.uk. Access will be placed onto your ID card remotely. Please allow 48 hours for your card to be updated. For information on travel by bike, check out this handy cycling guide or plan your route using My Journey.

Explore on foot

If you live near uni or have destinations within walking distance, opt for walking. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also allows you to appreciate the city's architecture, discover hidden gems, and improve your overall well-being. Walking between campuses is often the quickest way to travel!

Ubers (taxi) & parking

Ubers are a convenient way to travel around Southampton, but we highly recommend trying the options above first before resorting to an Uber as it can be expensive.

If you own a car, then there is parking at the university but it is extremely limited. Parking restrictions are in force across all University sites with enforcement between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and a parking permit is required to be on display in line with University Parking Regulations. For more details on parking, read our guide on car parking. 

Plan ahead and stay informed

Download the city map or use navigation apps (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) to familiarise yourself with routes, public transportation schedules, and any potential changes or disruptions.

As you can see, getting around is easy! Walk and cycle when you can and you'll save tonnes of money.