How to get to campus
On foot, by bike or on our free University bus service – however you prefer to travel, getting to and about uni is simple
Wherever in the city you live, it's quick and easy to make your way to our campus or get about the city.
You'll have plenty of options, too – from walking or cycling, to catching the free University bus – and you can find out more about each in the list below.
Take a walk
Portsmouth is fairly flat and the best way to get to know the campus is on foot. If you need a smartphone-friendly walking map and an estimate of how long your journey takes, use the My Journey Portsmouth website. You can also plan your journey using our Campus Map.
Take your bike
Cycling around the city is a speedy, low-cost way of getting around campus. It's also great for exercise and reducing your carbon footprint.
There are cycle pathways on the quieter roads around Portsmouth. You can find out where the cycle pathways and quieter roads are from this Portsmouth City Council cycling map.
There are a range of facilities available for staff and students to use across campus, including a number of covered cycle cages with swipe card access, and bike lockers which are highlighted on our active travel facilities map.
If you're cycling, running or using other active travel to get into campus, we've got a range of facilities for when you get here.
Check out our Active Travel Facilities Map to find your nearest cycle rack, lockers or showering facilities.
Take the University bus
We run 2 free bus services to campus for our staff and students – the U1 takes a circular route around Portsmouth, while the U2 runs out to our Langstone campus and back.
Take a public bus
If you live in other areas of the city you can also use public bus services to the city centre, which are run by First Bus and Stagecoach. Many of these services operate on weekends, public holidays and outside of term-time but you'll have to buy a ticket.
The 1, 2, 7, 25 (Hayling Ferry link) and 700 buses stop very near the University.
Queen Alexandra Hospital is also easy to get to using services 2, 3, 18 (First Bus) and 20 (Stagecoach). If you want to go further afield, you can catch a direct bus to Southampton or Chichester.
If you regularly use the bus, consider getting a monthly or season ticket to save money compared to buying daily tickets.
Where e-scooters can and can't be used
E-scooters cannot be used:
- on pavements
- on University land such as Ravelin Park and University building courtyards
- in University buildings, including bringing e-scooters inside halls of residence or educational buildings for storage
They are allowed in the same places that bicycles are - on the road, in bike lanes and in some shared spaces. You should be especially careful and respectful around other road users, particularly pedestrians, as they may not be able to see or hear you coming.
If you want to use an e-scooter to get about the city, you must use one from the official rental scheme, as private e-scooters are illegal in public places.
Issues with e-scooters
Anyone can report misuse of publicly-rented e-scooters, including dangerous riding and bad parking, directly to the operator VOI using their reporting form. Staff and students can also report any accidents or incidents on campus to the University's health and safety team.
For more information on e-scooter use and safety:
Cars and parking
It's not usually worth bringing a car to Portsmouth, as the campus and city centre is compact - and it's easier and cheaper to walk, cycle, scoot, or take a taxi for many journeys. Parking, congestion and air pollution are big issues in the city, and it can also be tricky to park. Not driving is one easy way you can save money and do your bit for the environment.
Parking in the city
If you do have to bring a car with you to university, in many areas of the city you will need a residents' parking permit to park outside your home. There are also limits on the number of vehicles registered per household, and increasing costs for each vehicle - so it's worth thinking carefully about whether you need a car. Portsmouth City Council will only issue you a permit if your car is registered with the DVLA at a Portsmouth address, which also means reissuing your driver's license and informing your insurance company.
University car parks
A parking permit is required to park in any of the University car parks. Students can only apply for a car parking permit if they are a registered disabled blue badge holder, or if they live outside the PO1 - PO6 areas and have exceptional circumstances or restricted public transport.
For more information on car parking at the university, please email car.parking@port.ac.uk or call +44 (0)23 9284 6677.