How to buy bus tickets in Bath?

Bus tickets in Bath are best purchased in advance via the First Bus App (mTickets) for convenience and better prices. Alternatively, passengers can use contactless card/device payments on board or cash with the driver. Park & Ride services are also available for city access.

Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket online or on the bus?

It's almost always cheaper to buy your bus ticket online or via the operator's app before you board, with savings on single fares and significant discounts on multi-day or monthly passes, as onboard purchases often incur a premium or require exact change, making digital booking more convenient and economical. 

Can you pay on the bus for a ticket?

Where to buy your ticket: In public transport with contactless payment. You can pay for your trip using your contactless bank card (debit or credit), smartphone or smartwatch. Every STIB bus, tram and metro station is equipped with a specific contactless payment device.

How do I buy a first bus ticket?

mTickets: One of the best ways to buy tickets is to use mTickets on the First Bus App, it's quick, easy and cash free. Download the app and follow the instructions, it's that simple.

Can I just tap my card on the bus?

Yes, you can tap your credit card (or debit/smart device) on most buses for quick, cashless payments, looking for the contactless symbol, but you must tap on and sometimes tap off, using the same card for fare capping, though some tickets (like child/family) might need a different method or driver purchase.

How to Book Bus Ticket Online?

Do I tap off with a debit card on a Go bus?

You can now tap on and off with your credit or debit card on a PRESTO device, including those cards on your phone or watch to pay for your GO adult fare discount!

How to buy a bus ticket in Bath?

Bus Tickets: You can purchase tickets using the First Bus app, or on board from the driver on all buses. All buses in the city accept cash and contactless card payments, but the latter is preferred.

Is the 2 pound bus fare extended?

The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term. 

What is the best site to buy bus tickets?

Busbud helps you find some of the lowest-priced bus tickets available by aggregating fares from hundreds of trusted bus operators globally.

How do I pay for buses in the UK?

You can pay for buses in the UK primarily with contactless payments (card, phone, watch), mobile apps (Apple Pay/Google Pay), or sometimes cash, but contactless is easiest as it automatically caps fares and works nationwide on most operators like Stagecoach, First Bus, and TfL (London). Just tap your contactless card/device on the reader when boarding, and for London buses, you only tap in; in other areas, you often tap both on and off for the best fare, using the same device to ensure capping. 

Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket on the app?

Buying mTickets on the First Bus App is the most convenient way to buy tickets 24 hours a day 7 days a week and they are often cheaper, so why not buy before you travel?

Do buses in Bath take contactless?

Other ways to buy tickets

Cash and contactless card payments are accepted on First Bus, Bath Bus Company, and Faresaver services, however paying by card or with the exact fare in cash is strongly encouraged to avoid delays.

What happens if I don't tap off with my debit card?

If you do not tap on and tap off correctly

you will be charged the default fare for an incomplete trip which is the maximum possible fare for that service, based on your Opal card type. You will never be charged over the Daily Travel Cap.

Do I tap my card again when I get off the bus?

To pay the right fare, always touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. On a bus or tram, you only need to touch in. If you touch out at the end of your bus or tram journey, you may end up paying more than you need to.

Can we pay with a credit card on a bus?

Introducing contactless payments on public transport

There are now more ways to pay for AT buses, trains and most ferries. You can now tag on and off using your AT HOP card, contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smart device.

What happens if I tap my card twice?

You won't get charged twice if you accidentally tap two cards on a reader at once – but you might find the payment goes from a different card to the one you want.

How can I tell if my debit card is contactless?

The Wi-Fi-looking symbol on a debit or credit card is the EMVCo Contactless Indicator*.

What is the maximum you can Tap to Pay?

Contactless payments have a transaction limit which is determined by the cardholder's institution. It is typically set to $250.

What happens if you tap in but don't tap out?

If you don't touch in and out, we can't tell where you've travelled from or to. This means your journey will be incomplete and you will be charged the maximum fare.

How to get cheaper first bus tickets?

Users can collect points for every ticket purchased through the app, which can then be redeemed for discounts on future travel. Additionally, First Bus often runs promotions and offers that can benefit regular passengers, such as discounted travel cards or special deals for specific routes.