World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
First Southampton (tel: (0)23 8022 4854; website: www.firstgroup.com) operates a comprehensive network of buses linking all parts of the city. Bus no. 12 operates between the city centre and International Airport. Solent Blue Line (tel: (0)23 8061 8233; website: www.solentblueline.com) and UniLink Southampton (tel: (0)23 8059 5974; website: www.unilink.soton.ac.uk) also offer comprehensive services throughout the city. Discounted fares, day travelcards and passes enabling travel of seven, 28 or 90 days are available for some services. For full details about fares, routes and discounts, contact the relevant bus company directly.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street or at ranks at the railway and bus stations. To pre-book a taxi try Abbeytax (tel: (0)23 8032 2480), Radio Taxis (tel: (0)23 8066 6666 or 0800 666 666 (free-call within Southampton); website: www.radtax.co.uk) or Streamline Taxis (tel: (0)23 8022 3355).

Car Hire
There are numerous car rental firms operating in Southampton. Alamo (tel: (0)23 8065 2059; website: www.alamo.co.uk), Avis (tel: (0)23 8061 6061; website: www.avis.co.uk), Enterprise (tel: (0)23 8065 3700; website: www.enterprise.co.uk), Hertz (tel: (0)23 8065 3000; website: www.hertz.co.uk) and National (tel: (0)23 8065 2059; website: www.nationalcar.co.uk) all have offices either at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle Hire
Southampton is relatively small and, for the most part, flat, so a bike is a great way to get around and see the city sights. However, at the time of writing, there is nowhere in the city that rents out bicycles. G A Cycles, 65 Shirley Road (tel: (0)23 8063 6648) sells a good selection and is just a short walk from Southampton Central railway station. Further afield, Cycle Experience, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst (tel: 01590 624 204) does rent out bikes and is close to the New Forest.