Getting around Sheffield

Thanks to the newly built Doncaster Sheffield Airport, local and international access has never been easier for South Yorkshire’s biggest city.

Flying to over 35 destinations on multiple airlines including FlyBe and Thomas Cook, Doncaster Sheffield Airport – still cutely known as Robin Hood Airport – opened in 2005, and handled over one million flyers in 2016. Operating out of just one terminal, the airport is 20 miles from Sheffield and is connected to the city by train, coach, taxi and car hire networks.

With its own dedicated tram line – humbly called the Supertram – and a strong rail, bus and road network, Sheffield is well connected to the rest of Yorkshire and beyond.

The best way to travel across the city is the Stagecoach Supertram, launched in 1994 and now servicing nearly 50 stations across three lines. A new line is under construction, which will link in Meadowhall, Rotherham and Don Valley. Single tickets currently start from £1.20, with multi-ticket travel covering the tram and bus networks costing £3 for unlimited daily use.

Equally handy is the humble bus, with over 130 routes in and around Sheffield. It’s as easy to navigate the city as it is to head into the Peak District (the 218 bus drives past the scenic Chatsworth House and gardens), with fares starting from 50p and annual, monthly or weekly ticket options available.

With several one-way systems and narrow, car-lined streets, driving around Sheffield can be taxing, especially during rush hour. There are several well-used Park and Ride systems which connect to the tram and bus networks, with inner-city car park rates starting from £1 per hour.

A major rail hub, Sheffield’s train station will take you to all four corners of the country, including fast train services to London.

Located to the east of the city centre, Sheffield’s Rail Station is the main travel hub, serviced by CrossCountry, Northern, East Midlands Trains and the Transpennine Express. A strong collection of shops, cafés and the excellent Sheffield Tap pub make waiting a lot easier. The Supertram station is alongside, providing easy inner-city travel.

Meadowhall’s rail station makes for easy access to Meadowhall Shopping Centre from Sheffield’s rail station. The train ride takes just six minutes and, from the station, it’s less than 10 minutes’ walk to the shopping behemoth.