Travelling around Keele and the local area

A regular bus service operates between Keele University campus and Hanley (where you'll find the main shopping centre), via Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent. There are several bus operators which travel to and from Keele, the main route is the 25. Information on the routes offered by First Transport can be found on their website. Alternatively, Travelline can assist when planning travel. The bus depot at Hanley is also the base for National Express services, there is also a service for this at the Newcastle under Lyme bus depot.

The 25 bus route that serves the Keele campus, and all other routes within the Potteries area, are now subsidised by the Government, and as such a daily “Smart” ticket for travel anywhere in the Potteries area (which includes Keele and Newcastle-under-Lyme) can be used. More information, including costs, can be found on the First website.

Keele Key tickets may be purchased within the Smart/Potteries area for travel beyond into the wider Keele Key area. To purchase a Keele Key Ticket you will need to present a valid Keele Card when purchasing tickets directly (on the bus) from D&G and/or First, or declare your University e-mail address when purchasing online (website and the app). Make sure that you have your Keele card with you when you travel as you will be asked to present it.  

A subsidised Keele Key Bus Ticket will also continue to operate for those who need to travel from Keele to outside these areas (for example, to Crewe and Nantwich). The current fares (as of September 2023), which allow travel anywhere within the service area for Keele students and staff, have been reduced from £4.50 per day to £4.00, and the weekly fare has been reduced from £17 to £15. An annual ticket costs £400. These fares are subsidised by the University in order to support our students. 

If you would like to cycle to, from and around Keele, useful information and tips can be found on the Keele Cycle webpages.