Transport

Getting to and around in Swansea

The closest airport to Swansea is Cardiff (CWL) Airport, which is just 30 miles by car. Other nearby airports include Bristol (BRS) and Birmingham (BHX).

Bus

You can find your local bus times by visiting Traveline Cymru.

• Most commonly, the initial mode of transportation you will use is the bus. There are many private companies of buses, but mostly people end up using “First Bus”
• Bus number 4 is the one that connects Singleton, through the city and directly drops you off at the front door of Morriston Hospital.
• Buses are usually every 15 to 20 minutes, but not strictly on time. They can run sometimes a little earlier, and sometimes a lot later. After 4-4:30pm, the bus usually arrives every hour. So, for example, if you had just finished your day call, you will probably end up taking the 10 o’clock bus at night.

Taxi

• Data Cabs – 01792 474747 or 545454
• Yellow Cabs – 01792 644 446 or 01792 700 400

Uber

Uber has finally arrived in Swansea after gaining a licence to operate here from the city council. The company matches people who need to go somewhere, via an app, with someone who can take them.

How to use Uber for the first time | Uber Blog

Personal Car

• Swansea has easy access to the M4 Motorway, connecting Swansea to Cardiff, Bristol and London.
• Feedback from overseas employees advise to get a car when it is affordable as public transportation is not exactly cheap nor convenient. Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to drive with your existing license (or if you have an international driving license, you could rent a car, but the cost may not be reasonable).
• Majority of the cars here are of manual transmission, and they are significantly cheaper to purchase.
• Automatic transmission is considerably more expensive, but most convenient given the infrastructure of the city.
• Do consider paying for hourly driving sessions as needed to familiarize yourself with the road and/or rules.
• It is worthwhile considering before you purchase your first car on what fuel it runs (petrol/diesel/electricity/hybrid); if it is a low emission vehicle, or an ultra low emission vehicle [certain major cities like London will charge you extra per day (about 17 pounds) for use of the road if you are driving a regular emission car in an LEZ/ULEZ zone]

*LEZ = low emission zone

*ULEZ = ultra low emission zone

As of writing this document in March 2024, Petrol is cheaper than Diesel averaging around 130-150pence per litre.

• Obtaining car insurance will be a significant initial expense given that you would be a new driver in this country. However, sometimes, depending on the duration of the license that you have held in your home country, you may be eligible for further discounts. Insurance depends on many factors like the car model, where you park, previous driving experience, anybody else who will drive the car, any driving certificate from UK etc
• Different types of financing options are available, but it is difficult to secure a reasonable interest rate given the lack of credit scores (if you are new to UK or have been here less than three years).
• Depending on your circumstance, you may opt for a used car with a private retailer/or go for an authorized preowned (personal preference – as if your car breaks down for any reason, you may end up paying a lot more to a private garage than you would have had by just getting a car from an authorized dealer with pending warranty) OR opt for a new car, in which case you may be eligible for NHS staff discount (Blue light discount).

Train

Swansea Bay has frequent train connections with all regions of the UK. Direct trains include services to London Paddington, Bristol Parkway, Cardiff, Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Manchester. Swansea train station is the only rail hub in the city. If you’re going to be traveling by train it’s a good idea to pay for a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard, or whatever category you best fit under. This will get you a third off train fares all year. Even you take the train TWICE, it will be worth it. From Swansea, you can catch a train to Cardiff in just over an hour, and to London in three hours, as well as direct trains to Carmarthen, Manchester and Shrewsbury.

Information on train times and services can be found at Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales Rail.

Bike

• Get on your bike with great cycling routes in Swansea for travel and leisure, part of the National Cycle Network (routes 4 and 43) and the Celtic Trail West.
• Cycling improves your health and wellbeing whilst reducing your carbon footprint and is a fun, more sustainable substitute for short car journeys.
• It’s quicker than you think to travel by bike and helps reduce congestion on the roads for people who have to drive.
  There are a number of family-friendly cycle routes as well as more challenging mountain bike tracks in and around Swansea and Gower.
• Swansea Prom is a flat 5-mile stretch that follows the sweep of Swansea Bay, ideal for cycling.
  Public bridleways are for use by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. However, cyclists are required to give way to both walkers and horse riders: Public rights of way map
  Many parks and outdoor spaces have shared use paths: A-Z parks, nature reserves and outdoor spaces
  More information on cycling for fun in Swansea Bay and Gower: Cycling in Swansea Bay (Visit Swansea Bay)(opens new window)

Source: Cycling – Swansea

Road Tax

Road tax, also known Vehicle Excised Duty (VED), is a mandatory tax that motorists in the UK must pay annually for using their vehicles on public roads. It is around 180-190 pounds, with zero fees for electric cars.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £410 a year if you have a car or motorhome with a ‘list price’ of more than £40,000. You only have to pay this rate for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything, for example if you’re exempt because you’re disabled.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

Neath Port Talbot

Finding your way around Neath Port Talbot is easy as there is access to multiple bus services around the Neath Port Talbot area but also to surrounding towns and cities. Neath Port Talbot has frequent train connections with all regions in the UK. Direct trains from Neath include Cardiff, Newport, Bristol Parkway, London Paddington and many more.

You can find your full information regarding local bus and train times by visiting Traveline Cymru.

Neath Port Talbot has easy access to the M4 Motorway, connecting to Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol and London. The closest airport to Neath Port Talbot is Cardiff (CWL) Airport, which is just 40 miles by car. Other nearby airports include Bristol (BRS) and Birmingham (BHX).