Public Transport

The RIDE app

The Ride app is a brand-new, free travel tool recently launched for people travelling in Nottingham and Derby. Designed as a one-stop travel solution, Ride brings together planning, ticketing and real-time travel information for multiple modes of transport in a single, easy-to-use mobile app. Instead of using several operator-specific apps, users can now plan journeys, purchase tickets, and track services all in one place. The app covers buses, trams, trains, walking routes, cycling and shared transport such as car clubs, e-scooters and e-bikes, with real-time bus location shown on an interactive map.

Developed through a partnership between Nottingham and Derby city councils and funded with around £4 million from the UK Government’s Future Transport Zones programme, Ride aims to make sustainable travel easier, more flexible and more attractive across the region. As well as simplifying ticket purchases and journey planning, it allows users to personalise preferences like walking distances or preferred transport types. The app will continue to evolve with new features, accessibility improvements and more integrated services over time, and its operation will transition to the East Midlands Combined County Authority in early 2026.

Check out all the apps features by visiting the RIDE website which has links to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to allow you to download the app to your smart device.

Bus Services

NCT Bus

Most local bus services in Nottingham are operated by Nottingham City Transport (NCT)

Although no services actually run into the village, several routes run through Clifton and nearby roads within around one mile of the village, with frequent services throughout the day.

Key Bus Routes Serving Clifton Village

Most convenient

Navy Line 1 / 1A / 1B – Regular services between Clifton and Nottingham city centre, travelling via Wilford Lane and Trent Bridge.
Nearest stop inbound to the city is on A453 (Stop CL92) just past the Village Hall. This service from the city runs out to Loughborough passing through the pretty villages of Gotham and East Leake.
Navy Line 4 / N4 – A dedicated term-time only service which connects NTU City Campus (Burton Street) and NTU Clifton Campus via the railway station and Wilford Lane. It runs every 10-15 minutes during the day, with 30-minute frequencies in the evening. Nightbus N4 operates Monday-Saturday.

Other useful alternatives

Navy Line 3 / 3A – Links Clifton with Nottingham city centre and the railway station, offering a convenient option for commuters
Nearest stop inbound to the city is on Clifton Lane, Crusader Island (Stop CL91).
Navy Line 48 / 48X – Another frequent route between Clifton and Nottingham, serving Clifton Bridge and the Meadows
Nearest stop inbound to the city is on Southchurch Drive ("Top Shops") (Stop CL33).
Grey Lines 53 / 54 – Cross-city routes linking Clifton with Arnold, City Hospital, QMC and other key destinations.
Nearest stop inbound to the city is on Southchurch Drive ("Top Shops") (Stop CL33)

Most services operate every 10–30 minutes during weekday daytimes, with reduced but still regular services in the evenings and at weekends.

Full route maps, timetables and live service updates are available from Nottingham City Transport .

Tram Services (Nottingham Express Transit)

NET Tram

The tram provides a fast, frequent and environmentally friendly way to travel into Nottingham city centre and beyond, with step-free access at all stops

Clifton is also served by Nottingham’s modern tram network, Nottingham Express Transit (NET)

NET Line 2 runs through Clifton, with several stops within easy reach of Clifton Village, including:

Summerwood Lane
Holy Trinity
Clifton Centre
Rivergreen

From these stops, trams run directly to Nottingham city centre, including Old Market Square and the Lace Market, before continuing north towards destinations such as Hucknall and Phoenix Park. Services typically run every 4–8 minutes at peak times.

Clifton Village also benefits from the free tram Park & Ride site near Mill Hill roundabout, allowing residents and visitors to park outside the city centre and complete their journey by tram. This can be particularly useful for commuting or avoiding city centre parking.

For tram maps, timetables, fares and service updates, visit the official NET website

Paying for travel

Public transport in Nottingham (bus and tram) primarily uses contactless "Tap & Go" for best-value capped fares, alongside mobile apps, smartcards, and exact-fare cash.

The system is largely unified, allowing, for example, a single, daily capped contactless payment across Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses and NET trams.

Other payment methods include:

NCTX Buses App: Purchase and activate tickets (singles, day, season) directly on your smartphone, displaying the QR code to the driver.
NETGO! App (Trams): The easiest method for buying and storing tram tickets.
Robin Hood Card: A smartcard used for multi-operator travel (bus, tram, train). Season cards provide unlimited travel, while Pay As You Go acts as an electronic purse.
Cash: Exact fare only on buses; drivers cannot give change and do not accept £20/£50 notes.
Tram Ticket Machines: Located at every tram stop, accepting cash and cards.

Concessionary Travel

Older people and people with a qualifying disability can apply for a concessionary bus pass under the National Concessionary Scheme.

When you can travel:

Between 9.30am and 11pm on Monday to Friday
Before 9.30am and after 11pm on Monday to Friday for Nottingham City Council mobility pass holders in Nottingham City Area
All day at weekends and Bank Holidays

Where can you Travel

Outside the city, the bus pass allows you free travel on all local bus services in England. (not the tube, trams or trains or premium bus/coach services).
Within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire - All Bus and Tram Services

Certain bus services are also excluded such as:

Premium night buses
Trentbarton’s Red Arrow
National Express services
Skylink Express
Some Local Bus services

Apply online at: Robin Hood Network

Other transport services

Easylink

Easylink is a door-to-door accessible minibus service run by CT4N Charitable Trust for people who find standard public transport difficult to use. Operating on weekdays, the service uses wheelchair-accessible vehicles with trained drivers and must be booked in advance. Easylink supports travel for shopping, appointments, and social activities across Greater Nottingham, helping people stay independent and connected.

Find out more and how to register at:
CT4N Easylink

Skylink Express

The Skylink Express is a dedicated Trentbarton-operated bus service connecting Nottingham city centre directly to East Midlands Airport (EMA) via the A453. it offers a fast, 30-minute journey.

The service stops at the main Clifton NTU Campus gate and Clifton Park & Ride then operates non-stop to the airport. It runs every 30 minutes during the day, with hourly services in the early mornings and evenings.

Buses feature low-floor access, luggage space, and on-board comforts such as USB ports and Wi-Fi.

Find out more at: skylink express

National Express

The National Express Route 450 from Mansfield to London travels along the A453, stopping at the Nottingham Trent University, Clifton A453 bus lay-by (Stop CL83/CL93).

This service runs up to 18 times a day, connecting Nottingham Broad Marsh directly to London via this route.

Find out more, plan and book at: National Express

Not all National Express services from Nottingham to London travel along the A453! Be sure to specify service 450 if you wish to get on/off at the NTU Clifton Campus stop.

Rail Services

The most convenient rail station for Clifton Village is East Midlands Parkway (EMD), around a 10-minute drive away. Served primarily by East Midlands Railway, the station offers frequent inter-city and local services, including::

London St Pancras (typical journey time 80 minutes)
direct links to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield
Cleethorpes–Leicester services via Nottingham.

The station provides over 850 parking spaces with EV charging, and is fully accessible with step-free access to all platforms.

Find out more, plan and book at: East Midlands Parkway

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