One of the best things about staying in Blackpool is how easy it is to get around without a car. Whether you’re hopping between attractions along the promenade or venturing further afield to Fleetwood or the Fylde Coast, the town’s excellent public transport network means you can leave the car keys at home and enjoy a stress-free holiday. Here’s everything you need to know about getting around Blackpool like a local.
The Famous Blackpool Trams: Your Promenade Highway
Let’s start with Blackpool’s most iconic form of transport – the trams. This isn’t just any tram system; it’s the UK’s only surviving first-generation tramway and has been ferrying visitors up and down the coast since 1885. Today’s modern fleet (alongside occasional heritage trams during special events) makes travelling between attractions not just practical, but part of the Blackpool experience itself.
The Tram Route
The tram line runs for 11 miles from Starr Gate in the south to Fleetwood Ferry in the north, serving around 30 stops including all the major attractions you’ll want to visit. Key stops include:
- Starr Gate – near Blackpool Airport and the southern end of the Illuminations
- Pleasure Beach – right by the famous theme park
- Manchester Square – close to Sandcastle Waterpark
- Central Pier – in the heart of the action
- Tower – for Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens
- North Pier – the town’s original pier
- Bispham – quieter residential area with local shops
- Cleveleys – popular coastal town
- Fleetwood Ferry – the northern terminus and gateway to Fleetwood Market
Trams typically run every 10-15 minutes during the day, with slightly reduced frequency in the evenings. The beauty of the tram is that you’re never more than a short walk from a stop along the entire seafront, making it incredibly convenient for exploring.
How to Pay for Trams
As of 2025, single zone travel costs £2.70, whilst cross-zone journeys are capped at £3 under the government’s fare cap scheme. The network is divided into zones, but for most visitors staying in central Blackpool, you’ll be travelling within one zone for trips to the Tower, piers, and Pleasure Beach.
You can pay contactless on the tram (just tap your card or phone on the reader as you board), but there’s a smarter way to save money if you’re planning multiple journeys. The Blackpool Transport mobile app offers excellent value, with options including day tickets, weekly passes, and even bundles of 10 or 20 tickets at discounted rates – perfect if you’re staying for a week and want the flexibility to hop on and off whenever you fancy.
Top tip: Download the Blackpool Transport app before you arrive. You can buy tickets in advance, check live tram times, and plan your journeys – all from your phone.
Blackpool’s Bus Network
Whilst the trams are brilliant for seafront travel, buses fill in the gaps and take you to areas the trams don’t reach, including inland shopping areas, residential neighbourhoods, and connections to nearby towns.
Blackpool Transport operates an extensive bus network with routes covering the entire Blackpool area and beyond. The same fare structure applies to buses as to trams, and your contactless payment or mobile ticket works on both, giving you complete flexibility.
Popular bus routes include services to:
- Blackpool Victoria Hospital
- Stanley Park – lovely for a quiet walk away from the bustle
- Blackpool Zoo
- Local supermarkets and shopping centres
- St Annes – charming Victorian seaside town
- Lytham – upmarket coastal town with excellent restaurants
The buses generally run from early morning until late evening, with reduced services on Sundays. Real-time information is available through the mobile app, so you’ll always know when the next bus is due.
Arriving by Train
If you’re arriving in Blackpool by train, you’ll come into one of two stations, depending on where you’re travelling from:
Blackpool North
This is the main railway station, located just a short walk from the town centre and about 8 minutes on foot from the seafront. It’s well-connected to major cities including Manchester, Preston, Liverpool, and beyond. The station has staff available from 5.30am to 12.35am Monday to Saturday, and 7.30am to midnight on Sundays, plus there’s parking available if someone’s dropping you off or collecting you.
The station also has its own tram stop (North Station) right outside, making onward travel to your accommodation or the seafront attractions incredibly straightforward.
Blackpool South
Located near the Pleasure Beach, this smaller station mainly serves trains from Colne and Preston. It’s unmanned but has ticket machines and departure screens. You’ll find it about 300 metres inland from Burlington Road West tram stop, making it easy to connect to the tram network.
For most visitors staying in central Blackpool, North station is more convenient, but if you’re staying near the Pleasure Beach, South station puts you right on the doorstep.
Getting Around on Foot
Blackpool is surprisingly walkable, particularly along the promenade where everything is laid out in a straightforward line. From Central Pier to North Pier is about a 15-minute stroll, and from the Tower to the Pleasure Beach is roughly 30-40 minutes if you fancy a bracing seaside walk.
The promenade itself is wide, well-maintained, and largely flat, making it accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and anyone who prefers not to tackle hills. Even if you’re using the trams as your main transport, you’ll likely do plenty of walking between attractions, so comfortable shoes are a must.
In the town centre, most shops, restaurants, and indoor attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, clustered around the Tower and Winter Gardens area.
Taxis and Private Hire
If you need a taxi – perhaps for a late-night return to your apartment or a trip with lots of luggage – Blackpool has plenty of licensed taxi ranks in the town centre, near the main piers, and at the train stations. Uber also operates in Blackpool, alongside local taxi firms.
For longer journeys to places like Lancaster, Southport, or Manchester Airport, pre-booking with a local taxi firm often works out more economical than using ride-hailing apps.
Driving and Parking in Blackpool
Whilst you certainly don’t need a car to enjoy Blackpool, if you are driving, be aware that parking charges apply along most of the promenade and in the town centre. There are numerous car parks (including multi-storeys near the town centre and seafront car parks near the piers), with charges varying by location and season.
During busy periods – summer holidays, Illuminations, and bank holiday weekends – parking can be challenging to find, and the promenade can experience heavy traffic. This is another reason why staying in an apartment with parking included (if available) or relying on public transport makes so much sense.
If you do drive, remember that most of the promenade operates on a one-way system during peak times to manage traffic flow.
Multi-Day Visitor Passes: Worth It?
If you’re staying for several days, consider buying a weekly pass through the Blackpool Transport app. A 7-day ticket covers unlimited travel on both trams and buses and works out significantly cheaper than buying individual tickets, especially if you’re travelling as a family.
These passes are also convenient – once activated on your phone, you simply show it to the driver when boarding. No fumbling for change or worrying about contactless payment limits.
Exploring Beyond Blackpool
The public transport network doesn’t just cover Blackpool – it’s your gateway to exploring the wider Fylde Coast. Take the tram north to Fleetwood for its famous market (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), pop over to Lytham for a genteel afternoon by St Annes Pier, or catch a bus to nearby attractions like Blackpool Zoo.
Trains from Blackpool North also connect you to Preston (about 20 minutes), where you can catch connections to virtually anywhere in the UK, making Blackpool an ideal base for day trips to the Lake District, Liverpool, Manchester, or even Lancaster’s historic city centre.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
Download the app first: Get the Blackpool Transport app before you arrive. It’ll save you money and make everything easier.
Tap contactless: If you don’t want to faff with an app, contactless payment works brilliantly on all trams and buses.
Plan for peak times: Trams and buses can get busy during the Illuminations season (September to early January) and summer holidays. Travel slightly earlier or later if you want to avoid the biggest crowds.
Check for service updates: Occasional disruptions happen (special events, roadworks, etc.), so it’s worth checking the app or website if you’re planning a specific journey.
Keep your phone charged: If you’re using mobile tickets, make sure your phone has enough battery for the day – or keep a portable charger handy.
Making the Most of Your Blackpool Stay
Staying in self-catering accommodation gives you the flexibility to explore Blackpool at your own pace. You can head out early to beat the crowds, return mid-afternoon for a rest, and then venture out again for the evening entertainment without worrying about rigid hotel dining times or restricted access to your room.
The excellent public transport links mean you can easily explore different parts of Blackpool and the surrounding area each day, whether that’s starting with breakfast overlooking the sea in Cleveleys, spending the afternoon at the Pleasure Beach, and ending with dinner and a show near the Tower – all without the hassle and expense of driving and parking.
Blackpool’s public transport system is genuinely one of its unsung heroes. Frequent, affordable, and covering everywhere you’d want to go, it takes the stress out of your holiday and lets you focus on what really matters: enjoying everything this brilliant seaside resort has to offer. So hop on a tram, feel the sea breeze, and let someone else do the driving.