There are a number of accessible ways you can make your journey to Bristol, Bath and the surrounding region.
By train
Bristol
Bristol Temple Meads is the central Bristol train station, you can find out more on the Visit Bristol Travelling To Bristol page. Travelwest also offer some useful information on accessible train travel to and from Bristol here.
There is step-free access throughout the station, with lifts to the platforms and some facilities. Staff assistance is available 24 hours a day; please request assistance from any member of staff if you have not booked assistance in advance. Wheelchairs are available. There are induction loops in the ticket office.
Full details of accessibility at Bristol Temple Meads can be found on the National Rail website.
Bath
Bath Spa is the central Bath train station. You can find out more on the Visit Bath Travelling To Bath page. Travelwest also offer some useful information on accessible train travel to and from Bath here.
There is step-free access throughout the station, with lifts to the platforms and ramps available to board the trains. Staff assistance is available during the following hours: Monday–Friday 05:00–01:10, Saturday 05:30–01:10, Sunday 07:00–01:10. Please request assistance at the Ticket Office if you have not booked assistance in advance. Wheelchairs are available.
Full details of accessibility at Bath Spa can be found on the National Rail website.
By car
Bristol
Based on the information on this Bristol City Council page, you can park in Bristol for free in many places using your valid Blue Badge, including:
- All day in any on-street pay and display parking bay in the city of Bristol, free of charge
- All day in any permit holder parking bay, shared use parking bay, or pay and display bay in a residents' parking scheme area, free of charge
- All day in any on-street limited waiting bay in the city of Bristol
- In any on-street disabled parking bay showing the Blue Badge sign (some are limited to three hours and this will be shown on the signs)
- On a single or double yellow line for up to three hours, unless there's a ban on loading or unloading (there may be other local restrictions, so always check any signs before you park)
There are also many private car parks in Bristol, which are all different. Please check the details on the Visit Bristol parking page.
Bath
Based on the information on this Bath and North East Somerset Council page, you can park in Bath for free in many places using your valid Blue Badge, including:
Free parking with no time limit:
- On-street parking in Pay and Display zones where time is restricted for non-Blue Badge holders
- Advisory disabled persons parking bays
- Resident and business permitted parking zones
- Charlotte Street car park – disabled persons bays located within the Charlotte Street entrance area only
- Bath Park and Ride car parks
Free parking but time limited:
- Single and double yellow lines where no loading ban applies (maximum stay of 3 hours)
Locations where parking charges apply:
- All Bath city car parks, except those listed above
Please be aware that privately run car parks and parking zones will have their own policies on Blue Badge parking and may charge at the standard rate. Do not assume you can always park for free; check surrounding boards and signs for specific parking conditions before you leave your car.
Motor vehicle access will be restricted 10am to 6pm, every day, in the following streets:
- Abbey Green
- Abbeygate Street
- Bath Street
- Beau Street
- Cheap Street
- Hot Bath Street
- Lower Borough Walls
- Parsonage Lane
- Saw Close
- Stall Street
- Swallow Street
- Upper Borough Walls
- Westgate Street
Blue Badge holders will be permitted access to these streets with entry on Cheap Street. Find out more on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.
By air
Bristol Airport have a very thorough special assistance section on their website, with information on accessibility for your whole journey from before you travel, parking at the airport, after security to your plane and arrivals back. Find out all the information here.
By taxi
Bristol
Hackney carriages with wheelchair access can be found at taxi ranks throughout Bristol. However, if you wish to travel door to door, or require a particular vehicle type for your journey, a list of owners/operators that are happy to help with accessible transport is available through Bristol City Council. There is no charge for assistance dogs for the disabled or for carrying aids like wheelchairs.
Bath
Several local taxi firms have specially adapted vehicles suitable for users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids. These vehicles are only available at certain times and are subject to driver availability. Contact them some time in advance to make your booking. A list of these operators can be found here on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website. There is no charge for assistance dogs for the disabled or for carrying aids like wheelchairs.
By bus
The majority of Bristol and Bath public buses are operated by First Bus. You can find details about bus accessibility here, including details on wheelchair access, assistance dogs, low floor access, RNIB charter and more.
This includes information on the 'Extra Help To Travel Card', which can either be printed or shown to the driver as a screen grab on your phone. The card is a way to show your driver discreetly that you or your friend or family member may need a little extra help, without having to ask out loud.
