Getting around

The U5 service takes you from Bath Spa University to Bath city centre (St James’ Parade) and back. Remember to bring your valid photo Student ID to get your student discount.

The U5 operates seven days a week, running until roughly 3am Monday - Saturday. Monday - Friday there is a bus every ten minutes and every 30 minutes on Saturdays. During the Christmas and New Year holiday, assessment period and inter-semester break there will be a reduced service.

Staying at Waterside Court, Charlton Court or Twerton Mill? Your closest bus stop for the U5 is at Twerton Mill. The route also runs close to Locksbrook Road campus.

U5 Bus Timetable

• U5 timetable and route map

Get a bus pass

Find out more about Bath Spa University bus services, timetables, and costs, or get the app. FirstBus are also currently offering up to a 30% discount on travel for any student in full time education with the use of a valid student ID.

For students attending Locksbrook, there is a park and ride facility at the BSU Sports Ground. You can park your car here and catch the U5 bus to our Locksbrook campus. 

Eligible drivers will need to purchase a designated Sports Ground permit. Once you have a permit, you will need to apply for a unique code which entitles you to free travel between the BSU Sports Ground and Locksbrook on the U5 bus. Email transport@bathspa.ac.uk for the code.

Lansdown Park and Ride is just a short walk to Sion Hill Campus and both Bath Zone and West of England Zone tickets can be used on this service. 

This is the best bus route for accessing Sion Hill campus.

While you're here, you'll probably want to visit Bristol, even if you're not studying at our film teaching site, Paintworks. 

You can catch the X39 service from the centre of Bath, Windsor Bridge, or from the roundabout at the bottom of Newton Park's drive (near The Globe Inn).

Getting between Bath and Corsham couldn't be easier. Catch the X31 bus from Bath Bus Station. It's an eight-mintute walk from your stop at Newlands Road to Corsham Court.

If you lose your paper ticket, you will need to buy a replacement. If you've paid for a year or a term ticket, this can mean a major financial disadvantage early in your studies.

Don't pay twice

Our advice? For First bus tickets, get the app. Even if you lose your phone, you'll still have your account and all your payment history.

Find out more by reading the mTickets FAQs.

Shower facilities

In addition to bicycle bays, Bath Spa offers shower facilities at Newton Park (Commons) and Sion Hill.

For more information please email: environment@bathspa.ac.uk. See also our Bicycle parking terms and conditions.

Bike repair kit

If you forget your lock or damage your bike on the way to campus, you can borrow a series of bike repair items, including a puncture kit and pump, from Newton Park Security.

Parking permits

As a student at Bath Spa, you’re only permitted to park on campus if your term-time residence is outside of the restricted postcode areas, if you’re a Blue Badge holder, or if we’ve agreed to provide a Student Permit due to exceptional circumstances.

Restricted postcode areas are BA1 1, BA1 2, BA1 3, BA2 3, BA2 9 and BA2 1HB. If you're eligible for a parking permit, you'll need to apply through the AppHub.

There are two types of permit to choose from:

• Student Validation permit: £10 (one-off annual payment) followed by a £1 pay and display ticket each time you come to campus

• Lump Sum permit: £120 (one-off annual payment), with no further payments required.

The type of permit you choose depends on how many times a week you'll be on campus. Once you've completed Registration you can apply for your permit, but we recommend that you wait until you get your timetable.

Parking is free for a week at the start of term, so you'll have time to apply and pay online. Permits are paperless and are activated once payment is made. After this time, you'll need to pay for your parking either via a permit or at the machines. 

You can use the JustPark app to buy your validation ticket. The code to use varies by campus:

• Newton Park: 310150
• Sion Hill: 310130
• BSU Sports Ground: 310132

There is no student parking at either Locksbrook or Oldfield Park Theatre Workshops. There is a park and ride service from the BSU Sports Ground.

Car share permits

Car share permits are available for students who share their car journey to the University with other Bath Spa University permit holders. Apply for your permit by email: transport@bathspa.ac.uk.

Limited parking is free at Newton Park on Open Days and over Registration Weekend. 

Sion Hill campus is accessible by the 700 bus, which you can catch at Bath bus station (next to the train station).

If you're a Blue Badge holder, you don't need to pay for parking at Bath Spa. You'll need to apply for a parking permit through our Transport team, and you can park in the designated bays providing you display this permit and your Blue Badge.

If you don't have a Blue Badge but have a condition which means you may need to bring a vehicle to campus, you can apply for an Exceptional Circumstance Permit. This would be suitable for students who wouldn't normally be eligible for a parking permit.

How to apply for a Blue Badge or Exceptional Circumstance Permit

To apply for either of these permits you'll need to complete this Microsoft Form. If you have a Blue Badge you'll need to download a copy of the BB into the Google form. Exceptional Circumstance applications will need to be supported by relevant evidence from your healthcare professional.

In all cases:

• Once your application has been received it'll be assessed by the Head of Facilities along with consultation from Student Wellbeing Services.
• When your application has been considered, the Transport team will inform you of the decision.
• If your application is successful you'll then be able to apply for a permit. Details will be sent in the approval email.

The Safe Taxi Scheme is a Student Union initiative, backed by the University. It's designed to keep you safe and secure if you’re alone or in an unsafe situation and are worried about getting back to your accommodation. You can use the scheme without the immediate worry of payment.

How to use the Safe Taxi Scheme

Ring V Cars on +44 (0)1225 46 46 46 (or use the freephone in the V Cars office on Monmouth Street) and refer to the Safe Taxi scheme. When the taxi arrives, show the driver your valid student ID. Head to the Finance Office in Main House over the next few days to pay the fare.

Charging points for electric and hybrid cars are available and will be indicated on the campus map. You will need to download the POD Point app first before you are able to use these stations. Parking charges will apply, but the POD Points are free to use. 

The car parks at Newton Park are controlled by ANPR cameras and security patrols. If a vehicle remains in the car parks at Newton Park and fails to comply with the terms and conditions as stated a parking charge notice will be applied.

All vehicles entering Newton Park will have timed photographs from cameras at the entrance and exit of the campus which will provide an accurate recording of how long a vehicle has been on the grounds via the vehicle registration number. All visitors must therefore purchase and display a valid Pay and Display ticket when parking on campus.

There's a one-hour grace period for dropping off. If you think you need longer than this you'll need to buy a Pay and Display ticket.

You can use the pay and display machines or the Justpark app to pay for parking. The code to use varies by campus:

• Newton Park: 310149
• Sion Hill: 310129
• Locksbrook: 310131

If you have a Blue Badge you can park for free at any campus. You'll need to register your vehicle first by emailing transport@bathspa.ac.uk.

Any queries or questions should be directed to transport@bathspa.ac.uk.

Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was introduced in 2021. Please be aware that when travelling to campus, you may have to pay a charge if you drive through the zone to get to us.

Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged in Bath’s CAZ but vehicles such as vans and light goods vehicles may be charged if they do not meet required emission standards.

Bristol Airport is 35 minutes from Bath Spa's Newton Park campus via car. To get to and from the airport by bus, you can plan your journey with Air Decker. Catch the bus from The Globe or central Bath.

Bath's main railway station, also named Bath Spa, is situated next to the main bus depot on Dorchester street. It has great links with other main stations such as Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff, London and Portsmouth.

Bath also has a second station at Oldfield Park, which is handy if your accommodation is nearby, for example at Twerton Mill, Charlton Court or Waterside. Oldfield Park Station is just half a mile from Locksbrook Road campus.

Catch the train here for Bristol and Keynsham, to explore Bath's beautiful surrounding countryside, and to get you from Oldfield Park to the city centre in two to three minutes.