Coronavirus Travel Advice

Guidance has changed from 5th January
You must not leave, or be outside of your home, except for a very limited set of exceptions. Here are some of the exceptions when you’re allowed to leave home:
- Work or volunteering – where it is unreasonable for you to do this from home
- Essential activities – such as to buy essential necessities at shops or obtain services
- Education and childcare
- Meeting others and care – meeting others in your support or childcare bubble, or to provide care to someone else
- Exercise – limited to your local area and only once a day
- Seek medical assistance
If you need to travel during national lockdown, Government’s advice is as follows:
- walk or cycle if you can – where that is not possible, use public transport or drive
- plan ahead and avoid the busiest routes, as well as busy times
- observe social contact rules
- wash or sanitise your hands regularly
- download the NHS COVID-19 app before you travel, if possible, and check in where you see official NHS COVID-19 QR code posters
When using public transport, keep your distance from other passengers, wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, wash or sanitise your hands frequently and use contactless payment.
Please continue to follow safer travel guidance which can be found further down on this page.
You must not travel at all if you:
- have been told by the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate
- are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms
- are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms or sharing a household or support bubble with somebody with symptoms
You should not travel if you:
- have been told by the NHS COVID-19 app to self-isolate
- are clinically extremely vulnerable, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend essential health appointments
Jump to:
Safer travel guidance
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Plan your journey
- can I walk or cycle to my destination?
- have I checked the latest travel advice from my transport operator?
- have I booked my travel ticket online, bought a pass or checked if contactless payment is possible?
- have I planned my journey to minimise crowded areas and allow for delays?
- am I taking the most direct route to my destination?
- download the NHS COVID-19 app before travelling
What to take with you
- a face covering -for longer journeys, take more than one face covering and a plastic bag for used face coverings
- a plan for the journey
- tickets, contactless payment card or pass
- phone, if needed for travel updates, tickets, contactless payments
- hand sanitiser
- essential medicines
- tissues
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Consider walking and cycling if you can. Local cycling schemes can be used.
Where possible, try to maintain social distancing when you walk or cycle (stand at least 2 metres apart), for example when approaching or passing other pedestrians or waiting at crossings and traffic lights.
Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands before and after you journey.
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If you can only make your journey via public transport, follow the guidelines below:
- Plan your journey in advance using our journey planner;
- Check the status of your bus service in advance, or check for any planned changes, on our Bus disruptions page;
- Current and upcoming bus timetables can be found on our Routes & Timetables page. Simply change between Timetable Option to see what’s available;
- Plan your journey in advance and check the status of rail services on the National Rail Enquiries website.
- Download the NHS COVID-19 app before travelling.
On your journey:
- wait for passengers to get off first before you board;
- ensure you maintain social distancing (2 metres were possible), including at busy entrances, exits, under canopies, bus stops, platforms or outside of stations;
- face coverings are mandatory on public transport, you must wear them over your nose and mouth:
- this includes bus, coach, train and ferry
- transport hubs, such as rail stations
- exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties. Visit Gov.UK for a full list of exemptions;
- be prepared to queue or take a different entrance or exit at stations;
- when buses show a bus full sign:
- be prepared to wait if your bus is showing a bus full sign even if it appears to have space
- the bus will only stop when people want to get off
- if they do stop they will normally only be able to let one passenger on for each one that gets off
- if someone with a visual impairment is at the stop please let them know if the bus is full;
- wait for the next service if you cannot safely keep your distance on board a train, bus or coach;
- respect other people’s space while travelling;
- avoid consuming food and drink on public transport, where possible;
- be aware of pregnant, older and disabled people who may require a seat or extra space;
- be aware that some individuals may have hidden disabilities;
- choose contactless payment to buy tickets, where possible;
- if you can, travel at off-peak times (in normal circumstances, off-peak would be from 09:00 Mondays to Fridays. However, due to the current pandemic, bus operators have reported different peak periods on their services, this could be from around 11am until 2:30pm. This may vary by bus route, please contact the bus operator to find which is the best time to travel on your usual bus service. Weekends and Bank Holidays are off-peak all day. )
Always wash and sanitise your hands for 20 seconds before and after your journey.
- Where possible, check in using the NHS COVID-19 app if you enter a venue that has an official NHS COVID-19 QR code poster at the entrance – alternatively, you can provide your contact details
Enforcement of face coverings on public transport
You are not allowed to get on public transport if you are not wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth, unless you have a legitimate reason for not wearing one. Transport staff may tell you not to board or ask you to get off.
Some people who are exempt may choose to use cards or badges to avoid challenge, but it is important to be aware that there is no requirement to do this, and some people may choose not to. We know that many operators have taken various approaches to exemptions and helping their passengers who do not require a face covering. To supplement this, an asset has been created by the DfT in collaboration with various charity organisations to allow people who are exempt to demonstrate their exemption. You can find more details here. Materials can be printed or downloaded and we expect some people to use it when demonstrating their exemption in shops and when using public transport.
Treat transport staff with respect and follow instructions from your transport operator. This may include:
- notices about which seats to use or how to queue
- additional screens, barriers or floor markings
- requests to board through different doors or to move to less busy areas
Seek assistance if you need it
If you require assistance when travelling, contact your transport operator as you would normally do. Assistance is still being provided, but bus operators may be providing it in a different way. To find out who runs your bus service and their contact/website details, please use the search on this page.
If any problems arise or you feel ill during your journey, speak to a member of transport staff. In the case of an emergency, contact the emergency services as you normally would.
If you need help, try to keep a suitable distance from members of staff. If this isn’t possible, try to avoid physical contact and keep the time you spend near staff as short as possible.
Other things to consider:
- Travel may take longer than normal on some routes due to reduced capacity and social distancing measures. Allow sufficient time if your journey involves changes between different forms of transport.
- Plan ahead by identifying alternative routes and options in case of unexpected disruption.
- Where possible, book your travel online through your transport provider’s ticketing app or website.
- Taking a less busy route and reducing the number of changes (for example between bus and train) will help you keep your distance from others.
- Where travel with children is necessary, consider whether children could walk or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer, where appropriate. Social distancing applies to children as well as adults.
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Car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason. For example, if car sharing is reasonably necessary as part of your work.
It is difficult to socially distance during car journeys. Where it is essential to car share, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:
- sharing the transport with the same people each time
- minimising the group size at any one time
- opening windows for ventilation
- travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
- facing away from each other
- considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
- cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
- asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering
On your journey
Expect more pedestrians and cyclists, especially at peak times of day. Where possible, allow other road users to maintain social distancing. For example, give cyclists space at traffic lights. Limit the time you spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services. Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible pay by contactless. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands often, and always when exiting or re-entering your vehicle.
Where possible, check in using the NHS COVID-19 app if you enter a venue that has an official NHS COVID-19 QR code poster at the entrance. Alternatively, you can provide your contact details.
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- You must wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when using taxis or private hire vehicles. A taxi driver or private hire vehicle operator may be entitled to refuse to accept you if you do not wear a face covering , unless you’re exempt.
- At taxi ranks try to keep your distance from people outside your household, where possible (at least 2 metres).
- When travelling in taxis or private hire vehicles follow the advice of the driver. For example, you may be asked to sit in the back left hand seat if travelling alone.
- You may want to check with your taxi operator before travelling if they have put any additional measures in place.
- Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands before and after your journey.
- Download the NHS COVID-19 app, if possible.
Latest travel updates
To assist travel to and from vaccination centres, time restrictions on the use of concessionary bus passes have been relaxed.
This means that passes are valid at all times from Monday, 25 January 2021, to Friday, 30 April 2021, in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Buses

You must wear a face covering on buses and inside enclosed bus stations. Exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.
Finding the status of your bus service
Most bus services are now operating, with a few exceptions which have been identified in the table below.
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How are you keeping passengers safe at bus stops and buses?
Bus services are operated by commercial operators, all of them are carrying out extra cleaning of their buses. Some bus operators may be providing hand sanitiser on board. If you’d like more information, find out who runs your bus service and their contact/website details.
Bus stops are managed by Local Authorities, however, we have been working closely with them to install posters at bus stops with safe travel guidance such as wearing face coverings and social distancing.
What happens if the last service of the day is full?
We advise you to travel before the last service of the day, if you can.
If you must travel on the last service, please contact the bus operator in advance to find out if they have any processes in place. Find out who runs your bus service and their contact/website details.
Can I pay with cash on the bus?
We are encouraging everyone to pay by contactless if they can. Most services will be accepting cash on board, but to minimise risk of transmission please use the correct change. Contact the bus operator in advance to check if they’re accepting cash on their service. Find out who runs your bus service and their contact/website details.
I have more questions about bus services, how can I contact you? What are your opening times?
For any bus service queries, please contact the bus operator or visit their website. Find out who runs your bus service and their contact/website details.
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Two major bus operators in the West of England have launched an update to their mobile apps which allows passengers to see live locations and capacity for their buses.
For more information, and links to download their apps, please visit the following pages (external):
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Our Routes & Timetables page has current and upcoming timetables for the majority of services. Where timetables are not available on our website, please check with the operator.
If you prefer, below are direct links to where two of the major operators in the West of England are hosting their timetables:
Bus services not operating
Please note that the list below is valid from 3rd March 2021.
Service | Route | Operator | Status |
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3A (Bristol) | Bristol Centre – Aztec West | Stagecoach West | No Service |
3B | Parkway Station – Aztec West | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn |
3C (Bristol) | Clifton – Aztec West | Stagecoach West | No Service |
9 (Bath) | Bath Centre – Upper Weston | First buses | Service withdrawn, please see service 20a/c for an alternative service. |
9 (Bristol) | Temple Meads – Redland – Clifton Down Shopping Centre – Redland – Temple Meads | First buses | Service withdrawn, please see Service 72/72a for an alternative service. |
11A | Southmead – Avonmouth | Stagecoach West | Renumbered service 10 |
20 (Bath) | University of Bath – Bath Centre – Twerton | First buses | Renumbered 20a/20c. Service will operate a circular route combining services 9/20/U2 |
20s (Bath) | Bath City Centre – Ralph Allen School | First buses | Service suspended, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
22 (Bristol) | Bristol Centre – Highridge | First buses | No Service |
24 (North Somerset) | Weston-super-Mare – Uphill – Hutton – Weston-super-Mare | Citistar | Service withdrawn |
36s (Bristol) | Centre – Lawrence Hill – Barton Hill – Redfield – St. Anne’s – Brislington | First buses | Service suspended from 10th January 2020, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
37A (Bath) | Hanham – Bath City Centre | First buses | No Service – Coming back as closed door school service OS |
37 (Bath / Wiltshire) | Bath – Marshfield – Castle Combe – Sherston – Malmesbury – Hullavington | Coachstyle | Service withdrawn after 10th March 2021. |
42A (Bristol) | Bristol Centre – Kingswood | First buses | No Service |
71 (Bristol) | UWE Bower Ashton Campus – Centre – UWE Frenchay Campus | First buses | Service suspended from 24th January 2021 until the Universities return. |
77 (South Gloucestershire) | Bristol Centre – Westbury – Southmead Hospital – Bristol Station – Thornbury | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn, replaced by services 10 and 13 |
79 (Bath) | Bath Bus Station – Marshfield | Faresaver | Journey added to service 228 from 1st February 2021 |
94 (Bath/Wiltshire) | Bath – Westwood – Trowbridge | Libra Travel | Service withdrawn from 28th February 2021 |
135 (North Somerset) | Bishop Sutton – Winford – Weston-super-Mare | Citistar | Service withdrawn |
177 (Bath/Bristol) | Bristol – Pensford – Paulton – Midsomer Norton | First buses | Service withdrawn. Alternative service provided by 178 & 376. |
376s (B&NES) | Wells – Strode College, Street | First buses | School service between Wells and Strode College will be suspended from 24th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
411 (South Gloucestershire) | Severn Beach – Marlwood School – Thornbury The Castle School | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn |
432 (South Gloucestershire) | Longwell Green – Wellsway School | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn |
508 (Bristol) | Southmead – Bentry – Sea Mills – Shirehampton | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn, please see service 13 for an alternative. |
625 (South Gloucestershire) | Severn Beach – Cribbs Causeway – UWE Frenchay | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn, please see service 12 for an alternative. |
634 (South Gloucestershire) | Kingswood – Wick – Tormarton | South Gloucestershire Council | Service suspended from 6th January 2021 and offered as an on-demand service |
680 (South Gloucestershire) | Yate – Filton College | Stagecoach West | School service suspended from 11th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
684 (South Gloucestershire) | Keynsham – Bitton – Wick | South Gloucestershire Council | Service suspended from 6th January 2021 and offered as an on-demand service |
860 (Gloucestershire) | Gloucester – Whitminster – Katherine Lady Berkeley – Wotton-under-Edge | Stagecoach West | Route alteration. Now runs Chipping Sodbury – Wotton-under-Edge – Tetbury – Cirencester |
922 (South Gloucestershire) | Severn Beach – Almondsbury – The Castle School | Stagecoach West | School service suspended from 11th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
924 (South Gloucestershire) | Hallen – Pilning School | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn |
948 (South Gloucestershire) | Pucklechurch – Sir Bernard Lovell School, Oldland Common | Stagecoach West | School service suspended from 11th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
963 (South Gloucestershire) | Patchway – Winterbourne Academy | Stagecoach West | School service suspended from 11th January 2021, resuming Monday 15th March 2021. |
967 (South Gloucestershire) | Westerleigh – Brimsham Green School, Yate | Stagecoach West | School service suspended from 11th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
A1 (North Somerset) | Bristol – Bristol International Airport | First buses | Service suspended until April 2021. Please use A2 |
A3 (North Somerset) | Weston-super-Mare – Congresbury – Bristol Airport | First buses | Service suspended until April 2021. |
D2s (Bath) | Frome – Beckington – Woolverton – Norton St Philip – Midford – Bath | First buses | Service suspended from 10th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
OS1 & OS2 (South Gloucestershire/B&NES) | Hanham – Newbridge | First buses | Services suspended from 10th January 2021 and offered as an on-demand service |
OS3, OS4 & OS5 (South Gloucestershire/B&NES) | Kingswood / Longwell Green – Oldfield School | First buses | Services suspended from 10th January 2021. OS3 resuming Wednesday 10th March 2021. OS4 & OS5 resuming Tuesday 9th March 2021. |
R2 (Bath) | Southdown – Ralph Allen School | First buses | Service withdrawn and new R2 Service now operated by Abus. |
SB1 (South Gloucestershire) | New Cheltenham – Kingswood – Cadbury Heath – Longwell Green – Brislington | First buses | Journeys exclusively for St. Brendan’s College are suspended from 10th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
T1s (South Gloucestershire) | Thornbury – Harry Stoke / Bristol Centre | First buses | Journeys exclusively for Thornbury School students are suspended from 10th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
U2 (Bath) | Bath University – Odd Down – Twerton – Odd Down – Bath University | First buses | Service withdrawn, please see service 20a/20c for an alternative service. |
U3 (Bath) | Bath University – Oldfield Park | First buses | Service suspended from 19th October 2020 until further notice |
U6 (Bath) | Bath Spa University – Twerton – Newbridge – Bath Spa University | First buses | Service withdrawn, please see service U5 for an alternative service. |
X1x (North Somerset) | Weston-super-Mare – Bristol | First buses | Service withdrawn |
X3x | Bristol – Portishead | First buses | Service withdrawn. Alternative service provided by extended service X5 from Portishead to Bristol. |
X4a (North Somerset) | Bristol – Pill – Sheepway – Portishead | First buses | Service withdrawn |
X4s | St Katherine’s School – Bristol Bus Station | First buses | Journeys exclusively for St. Katherine’s School will be suspended from 10th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
X5 (Bristol) | Novers Park – Ham Green (St Katherine’s Sch) | Carmel Bristol | Service withdrawn |
X5 (North Somerset) | Portishead – Clevedon – Weston-super-Mare | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn and partially replaced by First bus service X5 |
X5s (North Somerset) | Clevedon – Weston-super-Mare | First buses | Service for Weston College students suspended from 24th January 2021, resuming Monday 8th March 2021. |
X7 (Bristol – Chepstow) | Bristol – Cribbs Causeway – Chepstow | NAT Group | Service withdrawn and replaced by service T7 operated by Newport Transport Ltd. New service commences 4th January 2021 |
X14 (South Gloucestershire/Chepstow) | Cribbs Causeway – Chepstow | Stagecoach West | Service withdrawn |
X49 (Bristol) | Bristol – Staple Hill | First buses | No Service |
X67 (Bath) | Bath – Beckington – Frome | Faresaver | Service withdrawn |
Community Transport
Below is information received from community transport operators regarding their services’ status. Please contact the operator directly if you require further information.
Operator | Service levels |
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Age UK B&NES | Awaiting update |
Bath Community Transport | They are continuing to operate taking people to medical appointments and Covid vaccinations |
Bath Dial-a-Ride | They are operating normal service levels |
Batheaston Neighbourhood Group | Awaiting update |
Chew Valley Community Transport | awaiting update |
Four Towns & Vale Link Community Transport | Awaiting update |
Green Community Travel | They are operating as normal |
Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Transport | Awaiting update |
Hawkesbury Voluntary Transport | They are operating but at a reduced capacity |
The Inns Court Community & Family Centre | They are operating as normal |
Keynsham & District Dial-a Ride | Awaiting update |
Kingswood Community Transport | They are operating at a reduced capacity |
Midsomer Norton Community Vehicle Trust | They are not operating due to covid and social distancing issues |
Midsomer Norton & Radstock Dial-a-Ride | They are operating at 40-50% of normal service level |
Wellow Community Minibus | They are providing school transport only |
St Philips Community Minibus | They are operating at a reduced capacity delivering food parcels |
Lawrence Weston Community Transport | They are operating a reduced service |
Bristol Community Transport | They are operating at 50-60% of normal service level |
Shopmobility South Glos | They are not operating due to Covid |
Social Access Ltd | They are operating at a reduced level |
Swan Volunteer Transport Scheme | Awaiting update |
Farecar shared taxi service | Awaiting update |
Rail

You must wear a face covering on trains and inside enclosed rail stations. Exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.
Please see our Rail Disruptions page for the latest information from operators.
Coaches
You must wear a face covering on coaches and, from 24th July, inside enclosed bus and coach stations. Exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.
Visit the following websites for updates from coach operators:
Road closures & roadworks
Please follow the links below to see any planned works or road closures.
COVID-19 related Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs)
Bristol Ferries
You must wear a face covering on ferries. Exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.
Back to School travel advice
Tips, advice and support for a more active school run.