Travel tips
Sheffield is a big city with dynamic and hilly terrain. The city centre is compact enough and walkable though, which you can easily enjoy on a self-guided tour. However, for exploring further into its suburbs, it’s best to make use of the public transport systems.
Fortunately, getting around central and suburban Sheffield is made easy thanks to its modern light rail tram network, known as the Stagecoach Supertram, as well as its vast local bus network. These combined services cover the whole city effectively.
Sheffield’s bus system, run by 3 main bus operators, is comprehensive. Buses offer day-, weekly-, and monthly-saver ticket options, making them an economical option for getting around Sheffield. You can also get around Sheffield by ordering a taxi or drive yourself – though it’s the less recommended option.
How does The Supertram work?
The Stagecoach Supertram, simply referred to as the Supertram, is Sheffield’s modern mass light-rail network that’s in operation since 1994. It serves Sheffield’s city centre and into many of the suburbs such as Rotherham.
You can distinguish the 4 tram lines by colour – all stops are clearly marked either at each stop or inside the trams. The lines are: Yellow (Middlewood–Meadowhall Interchange), Blue (Malin Bridge–Halfway), Purple (Herdings Park–Cathedral), and the Black tram-train service route (Rotherham Parkgate–Cathedral). The Supertram runs Monday–Saturday from 5.30 am to 10.30 pm and Sundays from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm.
Besides buying tickets by cash, you can also pay for tickets by credit card or by using contactless payment and your smartphone with enabled apps such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Taking a taxi
Other than the iconic black cabs that you can find throughout the UK, you can’t hail a metered taxi on the street in Sheffield. You need to prebook them beforehand or find a taxi stand. Taxis aren’t the most economical way of getting around Sheffield. Even so, they might be handy for short trips and during bad weather or when walking isn’t favourable.
Know and state your exact destination clearly before getting into a taxi to avoid being overcharged. Although it isn’t expected, tipping the taxi driver is common in Sheffield. You can tip anywhere between 10% to 15% of the fare if you’re satisfied and the ride all went well. A selection among the many taxi operators in Sheffield is listed below. A1 Taxis have a smartphone app that can help you conveniently order and pay for their services.
Sheffield City Taxis: +44 (0)1142 393939
A1 Sheffield Taxis: +44 (0)1142 888888
JK Taxis Sheffield: +44 (0)7482 666644
Travelling by bus
Sheffield’s expansive bus network covers the whole city and suburban areas, making it both a practical and economical way for sightseeing or simply getting around. Bus operators in Sheffield are officially run by the Sheffield City Council, the Sheffield Community Transport organisation, and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. Meanwhile, bus companies include First, Hulleys, Stagecoach, and TM Travel.
Most are equipped with GPS navigation systems that make tracking bus rides, their proximity, and their next stops a breeze by downloading and firing up the Yournextbus app on your smartphone. Sheffield bus maps are available online and at bus interchanges.
Should you rent a car in Sheffield?
Renting and driving a car in Sheffield is only recommended if you wish to have extra convenience, exploring further afield around Yorkshire County at your own pace. Even so, if you plan to enjoy Sheffield alone during your visit, public transport is the way to go – driving in Sheffield, especially for first-time visitors, can be stressful. There are a few one-way roads in the city centre. Add to that the narrow streets and heavy parking.
If you do need to drive in Sheffield, there are car rentals from major companies spread throughout the city. Among them are Sheffield Rent-A-Car, Sixt Car Hire, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental, and Europcar. There’s a British Car Hire at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. If you’re a non-UK citizen, you can use your country’s driving license for up to 12 months in the UK.
Cycling around Sheffield
Since Sheffield is vast and hilly, so exploring the city by bike is recommended only for the fit. There are cycle lanes throughout the city centre, but you need to take extra caution when pedalling your bike as they tend to also serve as parking lanes during peak times.
If you do want to sample the cycling experience in Sheffield, among the notable bike shops where you can hire a bike are Russel’s Bicycle Shed, J E James Cycles, and Langsett Cycles Ltd. They also rent out foldable bicycles and e-bikes, which are the better choice for cycling around Sheffield’s hillier areas.
