Bristol U1 buss pass

A free Unibus U1 bus pass is available for most students living in University residences. This includes undergraduate and mixed undergraduate-postgraduate accommodation.

The bus pass provides free, unlimited travel between most residences, the Clifton Campus and the city centre:

• U1 service (full route, term time only)
• Service 3 (between Bristol City Centre and Coombe Lane)
• Service 4 (between Bristol City Centre and The Avenue) 
• Service 72 (between Bristol Temple Meads and Zetland Road).

The pass is valid for the full academic year, starting on 9 September 2024.

Get your bus pass

The bus pass is a mobile ticket that you download to your phone.

To get a U1 or upgraded bus pass, you need a unique voucher code. This will be in the accommodation portal between 12 August and 13 September 2024.

Find out how to get your bus pass.

Upgrade to travel further

To travel on more routes, you can get an upgraded bus pass. This gives you free, unlimited travel on all First Bus services in the West of England.

It costs £189 (discounted from £515). Special event and Airport Flyer buses are not included. The discount ends on 31 January 2025.

Find out how to upgrade your pass.

Langford Campus bus

You can travel to the Langford Campus from Bristol City Centre or the Clifton Campus on the Unibus U2 Service.

If you are a Bristol Veterinary School student, whose teaching is mainly based at the Langford Campus, you will get a free bus pass for the U2 service. The pass is given to students at the start of the academic year by the Bristol Veterinary School.

Cycling 

• discounted prices on locks and lights,
• regular free cycle maintenance clinics,
• free cycle security marking.

Visit the University cycling webpages. 

Student car parking permit

You should only bring a car to Bristol if it is essential. This includes if you have a disability.

If you need to bring a car, you must have successfully applied for a student car parking permit.

It is important to note that student car parking and permits are extremely limited.

Car parking facilities and permits are available in select residences in the North and West Residential Villages. There are no car parking facilities available in the East Residential Village. 

When allocating student car parking permits, priority will be given to students who:

• are a Blue Badge holder (mobility impairment); 
• have a disability or ill health that means they need the use of a car; 
• have caring responsibilities that cannot be performed without a car; and 
• have an academic placement for their course that can only be reached by car.

Types of permit and costs

Listed in the table are the types of student car parking permits you can apply for, and the residences which have car parking facilities. 

If you are a Blue Badge permit holder, you will receive your permit free of charge.

Annual permits will be valid after the main arrivals dates of 15 to 18 September 2023, as all the car parking spaces will be used for students who are moving in.

How to apply for a parking permit

New students moving into University accommodation can apply for a student parking permit from 4 September 2023. Applications will remain open throughout the academic year.  

To apply for a student car parking permit, you must:

1. Register for a student account with PermitSmarti.
2. Complete the the relevant online form for the permit you are applying for. You will be asked to provide evidence to support your application, for example, a copy of your tenancy agreement or University accommodation invoice.
3. You will then be notified by email within 48 hours if your application has been successful. You will be asked to pay for the permit you require. 

All permits issued are virtual so you do not need to display anything in your car.