If you study at the University of Portsmouth, the U1 and U2 buses are one of the better perks of being here, because they are free to students and link the campus with the city and the Langstone sports site. Run by First Bus, they only go in term-time on weekdays, but when they do they save you a fare and a walk.
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Here is what each route does, when they run, and how to ride for nothing.
The two routes compared
| Route | What it does | Key stops | When it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| U1 | Circles the city and Southsea, serving campus | University House, the Library on Cambridge Road, Kings Theatre, Eastney Health Centre, Prince Albert Road, Fratton Bridge | Up to every 15 minutes at peak, Monday to Friday in term-time |
| U2 | Links the campus with the Langstone sports site | Spinnaker Building, the Learning Centre, Fratton Bridge, Prince Albert Road, Langstone Campus | Frequently, Monday to Friday in term-time |
The U1: the city circular
The U1 loops around Portsmouth and Southsea, calling at the main university buildings and useful spots across the city. Its stops take in University House, the University Library on Cambridge Road, the Kings Theatre, Eastney Health Centre, Prince Albert Road and Fratton Bridge, so it is handy for getting between halls, lectures and the shops. At peak times it comes along up to every fifteen minutes, and the buses on it have been switched from diesel to electric. It runs Monday to Friday in term-time only, with nothing at weekends, in the holidays or on bank holidays.
The U2: out to Langstone Campus
The U2 is the link between the main campus and the Langstone sports site on the edge of the city, so it is the one to know for training, a match or the halls out there. It calls at the Spinnaker Building, the University Learning Centre, Fratton Bridge, Prince Albert Road and Langstone Campus, and it runs frequently on weekdays in term-time, again with no weekend, holiday or bank-holiday service. Check the current times before a late trip, as the last departures can change through the year.
When they run
Both run Monday to Friday in term-time only, and this is roughly the weekday pattern.
| Route | Daytime | First and last |
|---|---|---|
| U1 | Every 15 minutes, about every 20 around midday, roughly every 40 minutes in the evening | First about 07:36, last about 00:05 |
| U2 | Frequently through the day | On Fridays the last bus from the University is about 19:32, reaching Langstone about 19:49 |
There is no service at weekends, in the holidays or on bank holidays. For the exact minute of your bus, and the full U2 times, use the First Bus App.
Riding for free
Both buses are free for University of Portsmouth students, through First Bus and its Student Travel Club. To set it up:
- download the First Bus App and set your location to Portsmouth;
- register with your university email address, the one ending myport.ac.uk;
- open Tickets in the app and scan your student pass;
- show your University ID card to the driver as you board.
If you do not have a smartphone, the university’s estates helpdesk can arrange another way to travel. Either way there is nothing to pay, so it is worth setting up before your first week.
The university on the map
The routes centre on the university quarter near Guildhall Walk and Winston Churchill Avenue. The map shows where the main campus sits.
From there the U1 heads out around the city and the U2 runs over to Langstone. For the public routes beyond the campus, see our guide to buses in Portsmouth.
Student travel questions
Are the U1 and U2 buses really free?
Yes, both are free for University of Portsmouth students who register with the First Bus Student Travel Club using their university email.
Can anyone ride them?
They are aimed at students, who travel free with a pass and University ID. Check with the university if you are a visitor or a staff member.
Do they run in the holidays?
No. Both run Monday to Friday in term-time only, with no service at weekends, in the holidays or on bank holidays.
How often does the U1 come?
Up to every fifteen minutes at peak times, with the live times in the First Bus App.
Portsmouth And put this together from University of Portsmouth and First Bus information. Last updated: November 2026. Check term dates and live times in the First Bus App before you travel.
