Bath's city centre is small enough to walk between most major sights in 15 to 20 minutes, which is why walking is the default way to get around once you're there. If you do need the bus, First Bus runs the local network, though be aware that Manvers Street in the city centre is closed until November 2026, which has knocked several routes onto diversions.
Walking is usually your best option
The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, the Circus and the Royal Crescent are all within a comfortable walk of each other in central Bath. Most visitors staying centrally won't need a bus at all for a single day of sightseeing. The main reason to use public transport is reaching things further out, like the Skyline walk's starting points, Prior Park, or the Park and Ride sites on the edge of the city.
Buses and the Manvers Street closure
Manvers Street, a key route through the city centre, is closed until November 2026. This is currently affecting several First Bus routes:
- Route 2 (Bath City Centre to Foxhill): diverted via Rossiter Road and Churchill Bridge to Dorchester Street, missing North Parade and Manvers Street
- Route 3 (Weston to Bathford): only running between Bathford and Bath City Centre during the closure
- Route 13 (Foxhill to Elmhurst): affected by the same closure
If you're planning a bus journey through the city centre, check the First Bus service updates page before you travel, since diversions and stop closures can change without much notice. First Bus posts major disruptions at the top of its service updates page, listed by route number.
Park and Ride
If you're driving in, using one of Bath's Park and Ride sites and taking the bus in from there avoids the city centre's limited and often expensive parking. Our dedicated Bath Park and Ride guide and Bath parking honest guide cover the sites, prices and how the service runs in more detail.
Taxis
For short hops, especially late at night or with luggage from the train station, a taxi is often simpler than working out a bus route for a single journey. Our Bath taxi companies compared guide covers the main local operators if you need a reliable option.
Cycling and walking routes beyond the centre
If you want to get further afield without a car, the Two Tunnels Greenway is a traffic-free cycling and walking route running out from the city, covered in our Two Tunnels Greenway guide. It's a genuinely pleasant way to cover more ground than you'd manage on foot in central Bath alone.
Putting it together for a first visit
If you're staying centrally for a short trip, plan to walk for sightseeing, use a taxi for evening journeys or anything with luggage, and only look at buses if you're heading somewhere on the edge of the city like the Skyline walk trailheads or Prior Park. If you're driving in for the day, Park and Ride is worth the small extra step over trying to find central parking. Our Bath in one day guide and Bath in one weekend guide both build itineraries around walking as the main way to get between sights.
FAQs
Do I need a bus to see Bath's main sights? No, the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, the Circus and the Royal Crescent are all within an easy walk of each other in the city centre.
Why is Manvers Street closed? Manvers Street in Bath city centre is closed until November 2026, which has forced diversions on several bus routes including the 2, 3 and 13.
Is Park and Ride worth it for a day trip to Bath? Yes, if you're driving in, it's usually easier and cheaper than trying to find central parking, and it drops you close to the main sights.
How do I check current bus disruptions in Bath? Check the First Bus service updates page before travelling, since diversions from the Manvers Street closure and other roadworks can change with little notice.
Is it easy to get a taxi in Bath? Yes, taxis are a straightforward option for short journeys, particularly late at night or when travelling with luggage from the train station.
Can I cycle around Bath instead of using buses? Yes, the Two Tunnels Greenway offers a traffic-free cycling and walking route out from the city, useful for covering more ground than central Bath's walkable core.