Accessible Travel in Bristol

There are a number of accessible ways you can make your journey to Bristol for a visit. If you require more information than is provided here, then please contact Bristol City Council.

By Train

Bristol Temple Meads is the central Bristol train station, you can find out more on our Travelling To Bristol page here. 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.

By Car

Based on the information on this Bristol City Council page, you can park in Bristol for free in many places in Bristol, using your valid Blue Badge including the following;

• 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 this page or directly. 

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, at the airport, after security to your plane and arrivals back. Find out all the information here.

By Taxi

Hackney carriages with wheelchair access can be found at taxi ranks throughout Bristol. Find out more on our taxi page. However if you wish to travel door to door, or require a particular vehicle type for your journey a list of owners/operators is available through Bristol City Council.

There is no charge for assistance dogs for the disabled or for carrying aids like wheelchairs.

By Bus

The majority of Bristol public buses are operated by First Bus. You can find details about bus accessibility here.

This includes information on the 'Safe Journey Card' or 'Better Journey Card' and wallet, available for free at the First Bus Travel Shop in Bristol Bus Station or downloaded from here. The card is a way to show your driver discretely that you or your friend or family member may need a little extra help, without having to ask out loud.

Wheelchair Hire and Scooter Hire

Shopmobility, located in the Cabot Circus shopping centre car park, provides powered scooters as well as powered and manual wheelchairs for daily loans.

The office is open Monday – Saturday from 10am until 17:00. All equipment must be returned by 4.30pm.

Public Accessible Toilets

All full list of accessible public toilets and toilets with adult changing facilities can be found on the Bristol City Council website.

Find out more:

• Accessible Bristol
• Public transport in Bristol
• Maps and guides
• Visitor information