Bath has three Park & Ride sites, at Newbridge, Lansdown and Odd Down, all run by First Bus with free parking and a bus fare into the centre. Fares start at £3.50 for a return and £6.80 for a day ticket, and buses run frequently from each site into the city.
The three sites
| Site | Bus route | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Newbridge | Route 21 | Newbridge Road, Bath, BA1 3NB |
| Lansdown | Route 31 | Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 9BJ |
| Odd Down | Route 41 | South of the city, off the A367 (Wellsway) |
Each site has its own dedicated bus route straight into the centre, so you don't need to transfer between services once you've parked. The parking itself is free at all three sites; you only pay for the bus journey.
Prices
Bus fares on the Park & Ride services start at £3.50 for a return ticket, with a day ticket, useful if you're coming back to the car later in the day or making more than one trip, priced at £6.80. You can pay by contactless or cash on board, through the operator's phone app, or via iPoints at the stops, and these prices apply per person, not per car, so a family or group should budget per rider rather than per vehicle.
Why use it instead of driving into the centre
Bath's centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 18th century, with narrow streets and very limited parking, most of it paid and expensive by the hour. Park & Ride sidesteps that entirely: you leave the car for free on the edge of the city and let the bus deal with the traffic and the lack of spaces. First Bus points out that each full Park & Ride bus takes the equivalent of up to 75 cars off the road, which is part of why the service runs as frequently as it does rather than as an occasional shuttle.
It suits almost any reason for visiting: sightseeing in the historic centre, shopping, a walk along the River Avon, or a rugby match at the Rec, all of which are an easy walk from the central bus stops once you're off.
Comparison with driving and parking centrally
Central multi-storey car parks in Bath commonly run over £20 a day, before you've accounted for the time spent circling for a space at busy periods. Against a Park & Ride return fare of £3.50 per person, the saving is substantial for most visits, and it avoids Bath's notoriously tight central streets altogether. If you're staying overnight and your hotel doesn't have its own parking, our honest guide to Bath hotels with on-site parking and our general Bath parking guide cover the alternatives in more depth.
Getting there and timing your visit
All three sites are signposted from the main roads into Bath, so you don't need to navigate through the centre to reach them, which is the main point: you peel off before the traffic starts rather than fighting through it. If you're combining your trip with a specific attraction, it's worth checking that attraction's own opening hours against the Park & Ride's operating times before you set off, since services typically run reduced hours, or not at all, late at night and on some public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to park at Bath's Park & Ride sites?
Parking itself is free at all three sites. You pay for the bus into the centre, with fares starting at £3.50 for a return and £6.80 for a day ticket.
Where are Bath's Park & Ride sites?
There are three: Newbridge (Newbridge Road, BA1 3NB, route 21), Lansdown (Lansdown Road, BA1 9BJ, route 31) and Odd Down (south of the city off the A367, route 41). Each has its own direct bus route into the centre.
Is Bath Park & Ride cheaper than parking in the centre?
Yes, usually substantially. Central multi-storey car parks commonly run over £20 a day, against a Park & Ride return bus fare starting at £3.50 per person, plus free parking at the site itself.
How do I pay for the Park & Ride bus?
By contactless card or cash on board, through the bus operator's phone app, or via iPoints at the stops.
Does Bath Park & Ride run every day?
Services run regularly throughout the week, though hours are typically reduced late at night and may be limited on certain public holidays, so check current times for your specific travel day before relying on it for an early or late journey.
Which Park & Ride site should I use?
Whichever is closest to the direction you're arriving from: Newbridge if you're coming from the west, Lansdown from the north, and Odd Down from the south on the A367. All three run direct, frequent buses into the centre, so the choice mostly comes down to convenience on your route in.