Travelling to Chester

Chester is easily accessible by many modes of transport – whether you are travelling by rail, car, bus or plane. Once you arrive in the City there are numerous car parks, however, during peak times the easiest way to travel into Chester city centre is via the park and ride facility.

The following information should prove useful when travelling to Chester, however, always check individual websites for seasonal schedule changes.

Car Parks 

Within the city, there are over 5000 parking spaces run by both the council and private companies.  The majority of parking is on a pay and display basis, so it is always useful to make sure you have some change, though some car parks do accept card payments.

For a full list of car parks run by the council visit their website.

For NCP car parks visit their website

Disabled Badge Holders (Blue Badge Scheme)

Blue Badge holders can stay in disabled bays for three hours, unless the car park advises it is four hours. Holders will always have to look at the signs in each car park. If you want to park for free you need to get a microchip, make sure you always display your badge and clock whenever you are parking.

Park and Ride

In these environmentally friendly times why not take the strain out of parking and use Chester’s park and ride facility. There are four locations with buses running every 12 minutes it couldn’t be easier and economically friendly too!

The Park and Ride bus service runs every 12 minutes between 7am – 7pm Monday to Friday, every 12 minutes between 8am – 7pm Saturdays and every 15 minutes between 9.30am – 6pm Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Free travel every Wednesday after 2pm

The council has introduced this scheme to encourage the use of the park and ride service, ease travel congestion and boost the local economy with free travel for all passengers after 2pm every Wednesday.

Park and Ride Locations

The four locations are served by two cross-city services.

Boughton Heath (CH3 5QD) Green Line

Sealand Road The Park and Ride service from this site is currently suspended until further notice

Upton (CH2 4BA) Blue Line

Wrexham Road (CH4 9DE) Blue Line

Route: Upton (Zoo) car park – Countess of Chester Hospital – Chester City Centre – Racecourse (Abode Hotel) – Wrexham Road car park

Discover the full timetable and route information. 

Car parking is free when using the service and the return bus fare costs just £2. A parking only option is available.

Bus Travel

Chester has a number of local and longer distance bus services operating in and around Chester. Plan your journey, discover live departure times and buy tickets.

Coach Travel

National Express services in Chester operate from either the Chester Bus Exchange, St Oswalds Way CH1 3HY  or Chester Zoo. Ticket line 0871 781 8181.

Motorway Travel

Chester is linked directly to the national motorway system via the M53 and London and all the major regions of the UK are easily accessible from the City.
Distances by Road from Chester:

• London 188 miles
• Cardiff 152 miles
• Birmingham 85 mile
• Manchester 42 miles
• Edinburgh 237 miles
• Liverpool 18 miles
• Bath 165 miles
• Southampton 220 miles

Rail Travel

Chester is well served by the rail network and enjoys fast frequent rail links to London and major cities in the UK.

The Rail Link through to Manchester Airport includes 4 through trains from and to Chester.

Duration of Journey by Rail:

• London Euston 2 hours
• Cardiff 3 hours
• Birmingham 1.75 hours
• Manchester 1 hour
• Edinburgh 4.5 hours
• Liverpool 45 minutes

Buy train tickets

Sea Travel

Sealink/Irish Ferries between Holyhead (2 hours by the A55 road from Chester) and Dun Laoghaire (6 miles from Dublin) and Dublin itself.

Duration of Sailings – Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire/Dublin 1.75-3.5 hours.

Air Travel

Chester is well served by airports with Liverpool (30 minutes) and Manchester (40 minutes) from Chester providing both national and international flights. Manchester Airport has a direct hourly train service to Chester.

For those who like to travel independently Hawarden airport is located just 4 miles outside Chester.