Getting around by foot or by bike
Portsmouth is a flat city, and most areas you'll live are within a short distance of the town centre and campus — so the best way to discover the city is on foot or by bike.
Walking and cycling local journeys is a great way to get more active, which can boost your physical and mental health and has even been linked to better academic performance.
This means it's not usually worth bringing a car to Portsmouth — but you can park in the city if you need to.
Planning your route
You can find plenty of footpaths and cycleways to follow across the city:
- To find University buildings, halls of residence, city buildings, bike parking, print stations, food and drink services, student services or sports facilities, check our campus map
- For a smartphone-friendly walking map, and an app to estimate how long your journey takes, plan your journey using My Journey Hampshire or Breeze travel apps
- And it you’re looking for quieter routes to get across the city while avoiding traffic, use the Portsmouth City Council walking and cycling map
Cycle safety
- Make sure your bike is fitted with front and back lights, especially when the nights get darker — it's the law
- Wear a helmet, and hi-vis clothing such as a vest
- Use the middle of the most appropriate lane on roundabouts and arrive at junctions in the middle of the lane
- Look out for other vehicles coming from side roads
- Wait in the traffic queue, unless it’s safe to move to the front
- Cycle on the left hand side of the road, and one metre from the kerb - not in the gutter
- Keep at least a door's width away from parked cars
- Don't cut through on the inside of lorries or buses – they won't be able to see you
- Remember that in wet weather you're harder to see, stopping takes longer and surfaces are slippery
- Only cycle on the pavement when there is a sign which says you can use the pavement - use your bell or call out politely if needed
- Keep your bike well maintained – if your bicycle develops a problem visit a local repairer to have it serviced
- Keep an emergency kit handy such as an inner tube or puncture kit
If you're a complete beginner and you need more advice to build your confidence before cycling in traffic, visit Cycling UK's website.
Locking up your bike
Like many cities, bike theft does sometimes happen — but you can take some simple steps to keep your bike safe:
- Use an older bike as newer bikes are more valuable are more likely to be stolen
- Always secure the frame and both wheels of your bike with two good D-locks
- Lock your bike to an immovable object, ideally a proper bike stand and check your bike can't slip down and be damaged
- Take your valuables with you
You can get your bike marked and registered to the National Cycle Database at our free bicycle events throughout the year:
If your bicycle is stolen on campus, report it to Halls reception or Security, who will assist you in obtaining a police crime number so you can make an insurance claim.
Bike storage
On campus
There are over 1,500 cycle hoops and two-tier cycle racks across campus to help you lock your bike securely, and the University has a number of secure, covered cycle cages with swipe card access at these locations:
- Burnaby Terrace Car Park
- Eldon Building (Middle Street)
- Harry Law Hall
- Mercantile House
To gain access to the above cycle cages, email campus.security@port.ac.uk to request access via your student card, quoting your student ID card number, and your name.
On-street bike storage
It can be difficult to store bikes securely in private rented accommodation. As a result, some roads in Portsmouth have on-street bike storage facilities called Bike Hangars, provided by Portsmouth City Council. If your road has one of these, you can apply to use them. You can also nominate your road for a new hangar, if you don't live near one.
E-bikes and e-scooters
Voi provides rental e-bikes in Portsmouth from as little as 18p a minute, with docking bays located all around Southsea.
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're allowed in the same places that bicycles are - on the road, in bike lanes and in some shared spaces. You should be careful and respectful around other road users, especially 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.
Scooter safety
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:
University policy on e-scooters Government guidance on e-scooters
Parking in Portsmouth
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.
University car parks
You'll need a visitor's permit if you want to use a University car park.
Students are generally not allowed to park in the University's car parks, which are monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
Students can only apply for a university car parking permit if you can demonstrate that:
- you are a registered disabled blue badge holder, or
- you have exceptional circumstances or restricted public transport from their home address, which must be outside the PO1-PO6 areas (a covering letter is required with the application)
To apply for a permit, email car.parking@port.ac.uk. We cannot guarantee you a space in advance.
University car parks are available to the public using a pay and display tariff, from 4.00pm - 7.00am on weekdays and at weekends from 4.00pm Friday to 7.00am Monday. For more information on car parking at the university, email us at car.parking@port.ac.uk or call +44 (0)23 9284 6677.
Parking at home
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 from the council 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 really need a car.
Portsmouth City Council will only issue you with a Residents Parking Permit if your car is registered with the DVLA in your name and at your address in Portsmouth. Find out more at Resident parking permits – Portsmouth City Council.
Apply for or renew a parking permit
View resident parking zones
Car parking for disabled students
Students who are registered disabled badge ("Blue Badge ) holders are entitled to a free permit for University car parks. This allows you to park in University car parks, including the accessible parking bays. You will need to apply for your permit and provide evidence through the University's online parking portal, operated by CPP Parkingeye.
There are limited parking spaces and there is no guarantee that spaces will always be available in the immediate vicinity of a University building.
City parking
Car parks and limited on-street parking is available in the city centre for a small charge, but spaces fill up quickly.
To park in the city, follow signs for 'Historic Waterfront/Seafront' from the end of the M275. This takes you across 3 roundabouts to traffic lights by Unicorn Gate (entrance to the naval dockyard) and St John's Cathedral.
These are the traffic lights at the top of the Guildhall Campus map the route you take from here depends which part of the campus you're heading to.
Students and University staff can park at Gunwharf Quays Car Park during weekdays for the discounted rate of £5 for up to 12 hours per day. The discounted rate is not available on weekends, during Portsmouth school holidays and one-off events.
Please visit the car park office at Gunwharf Quays (G Section of the Upper Basement Level) at the start of the day to get your ticket validated for the discount, you will have to provide valid student or staff ID.
Gunwharf Quays can also offer student discount at Wickham Street Car Park - 3 Wickham Street, PO1 3EF on weekdays during school holidays.
If you have any questions, please call 02392 836773 or email gunwharf.quays@apcoa.com
Keeping your car safe
If you decide to drive to uni you need to be mindful of keeping yourself and your car safe around campus. Things to remember include:
- Car parks are safer, generally well lit and under CCTV — check in advance to see where the local car parks are and how much they cost
- Park under a street lamp if you're leaving your car out at night
- Make sure any valuables you've left behind are hidden from view
Electric cars
If you have an electric car, there are a number of charging points around the city that you can use.
Looking for our London campus?
More information on cycling and our London campus can be found below.