Travel tips
Nottingham city centre covers an area of less than a square mile and is easily walkable. It's filled with landmarks and iconic buildings such as Nottingham Castle, Old Market Square, and the City of Caves, just to name a few. Downtown Nottingham is also home to a fantastic range of dining and shopping options, as well as cool bars for enjoying a nightcap.
Cycling is also a pleasant way to explore the city on brighter days. For longer distances, Nottingham Express Transit (NET) runs an extensive network of trams and Nottingham City Transport (NCT) runs bus services that cover the entire county.
How does the tram work?
Nottingham Express Transit (NET) runs 2 tram lines featuring 50 stops across the city. There's one line that links Phoenix Park to Clifton via the City Centre while the other links Hucknall to Chilwell via the City Centre, QMC, and Beeston. Many stops connect with the NCT bus network. Trams usually run from 6 am to midnight.
Ticket machines are available at every tram stop. Single, day, and week tickets are available. If you plan to travel by tram a lot, you can also buy a Robin Hood Smartcard on the NET website. Note that the NET trams are wheelchair accessible.
Taking a taxi in Nottingham
DG Taxis (+44 (0)115 960 7607), Trent Cars Nottingham (+44 (0)115 950 5050), and Arrow Cars Nottingham (+44 (0)115 956 5757) are just a few of the taxi companies you’ll find in Nottingham. You can hail a taxi on the street in Nottingham, and you can often find them lined in front of hotels, major attractions, and the train station.
Tipping isn’t expected in the UK, though you can give a tip of 10-15% of the fare if you’re happy with your driver’s service. DG, Arrow, and other major taxi companies have apps you can download on your phone with which you can pay for the fare.
Uber is available in Nottingham.
Travelling by bus
Run by the municipality, Nottingham City Transport (NCT) runs an extensive bus system that covers the entire city and a few neighbouring towns.
You can buy a ticket on the bus with cash or contactless card. Even so, it’s recommended to pay for your trips in advance with an Easyrider Smartcard or to install the NCTX Buses app to help you save money. Buying a Robin Hood Smartcard is also a desirable choice as it allows you to use both the tram and bus networks without needing separate payment methods.
Renting a car in Nottingham
Renting a car is preferable if you plan to go outside the city and explore Nottinghamshire. Car rental companies are available at the airport and throughout Nottingham. Foreigners can use their country driving license for up to 12 months in the UK.
As for parking spaces, there are plenty across Nottingham with various price bands.
Cycling around Nottingham with CityCard Cycles
Nottingham aims at becoming a bike-friendly city. It hosts over 600 miles of countryside and urban cycle routes. You have different options to hire a bike in Nottingham, as follows:
- CityCard Cycles is the bike-sharing scheme run by the municipality. You can join the system by registering on their website. Once done, you’ll receive login and PIN details. You’ll then have to get to one of the 7 stations throughout the city and get yourself a bicycle.
- Russell's Bicycle Shed (+44 (0)115 986 2917), U-cycle (+44 (0)754 641 2573), and Rutland Cycling Nottingham (+44 (0)115 978 3876) are just a few of the shops at which you can hire bicycles in Nottingham.
