Frenchay Campus - Transport Links

Frenchay campus is three miles north of Bristol city centre. Don’t let that put you off exploring though as the campus is very well linked to the centre and other areas of the city.

Buses

The East Entrance is the main stopping point for buses coming to Frenchay. From here you can head north, south, east or west via several bus routes to your next destination.

Routes

The Metrobuses (M1, M3 and M4) are the quickest buses if you are heading into the city centre or to Cribbs Causeway. The journey only take 15 minutes to town, 30 minutes to Cribbs Causeway, and the buses come every 5-10 minutes. They run from 06:00-00:00 every day towards the centre and back to Frenchay.

If you want to venture down Gloucester Road, you’ll want to jump onto a 70, 72 or 74. The 74 will take you down the full stretch of the independent high street. The 70 and 72 head through some side roads and come out at different points. The 70 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but make sure you check the local time table for departure times.

The 48a is our link between Frenchay and Glenside campus. Stay on the bus to see what Fishponds and Easton have on offer. The 48a runs from 07:00-21:25, Monday to Friday, towards town with the last bus back to Frenchay leaving the Centre at 21:00.

Prices

Bus travel is the cheapest way to travel around Bristol by vehicle. Here are some tips to get the most for your money:

• Download the First Bus mobile app. It’s available on Apple and Android. You can buy your e-tickets, check timetables and switch between regions if you’re going out of Bristol.
• Use your Student ID to take advantage of cheaper tickets. This is only available on the app and can save you £20 a month.
• Don’t assume that season tickets will be the cheapest option. Sit down and work out how many journeys you’ll make and if they’re worth the cost. For example, if you’re only using the bus two or three times a week, it will be cheaper to buy individual two-trip tickets.

Train

There are two train stations within a 20-minute walk from campus: Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway. From here you can get trains to Cardiff, Gloucester, London and beyond.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a lot of trains from here change at Bristol Temple Meads. This is the city’s main train station and has links to lots of other cities.

Tips for train travel:

• Download the Trainline app to check train times, book tickets and get alerts for any disruptions.
• Make sure your ticket is valid at the correct time. For example, off-peak travel is only valid between 09:30-16:00, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends. So if you need to travel at 08:00 on a Tuesday, expect to pay more.
• If possible, book your train tickets in advance. You can save lots of money by booking weeks and even months in advance.
• Take advantage of a railcard. As students, most people are eligible for a railcard that will give you up to 30% off off-peak train tickets. These are age based so double check your eligibility.

Coach

Long distance coach travel is definitely the cheapest way to travel – if you have the time to spare. While train journeys are quicker, they are often more expensive. You can get to London and back for less than £15 via coach!

Some coaches even depart directly from Frenchay Campus (the same place as the other buses) which is very conveniently. Or, get on a bus to the city centre and jump on a coach from the Bristol bus station.

National Express, Megabus and FlixBus are the main providers.