By taxi
Taxis can be expensive, but the black and white ones are licensed and safer than private hire cabs. The black and white taxis can be flagged down, but you must phone first for the others.
In the city centre, try Amber Taxis advance booking only, 0113 231 1366: you can get around the city centre for about £3-7.
In south Leeds, try Local Cars advance booking only, 0113 252 8258: a journey for less than a mile is £2.70.
By ship
There is a shuttle boat between Granary Wharf for Leeds City Station, Brewery Wharf and Clarence Dock for the Royal Armouries Museum, operated by Leeds City Cruisers.
On foot
If you're just visiting the city centre, you might as well walk, as much of it is surprisingly compact. To orientate yourself, free maps (http://www.leedsliveitlov...) quite simple but good for basic orientation are available at the tourist information and a number of visitor attractions. There are some street maps dotted around the city centre, in guide books, street atlases, etc. Getting around Leeds is fairly easy. However, Leeds' central area is fairly compact with most of the major attractions and shops within walking distance of one another. There is also the FreeCityBus operational during the day, which you can hop on and off for free as it loops the outer city centre the main centre is pedestrianised--see below.
Note: The FreeCityBus mentioned in this article ceased in April, 2011. Another bus service, following most of the route of the FreeCityBus, is now operating with a fare of 50p.
By Rail
There is a limited suburban train service which serves some tourist destinations such as Headingley Stadium, but plans are underway for a radical overhaul of the city's transport system since the proposed tram system has had its funding withdrawn by the government.
By bus
Metro (http://www.wymetro.com/) West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority provides bus and train information on its website, and offers the innovative My Next Bus service of real-time bus information by text message or online. This real-time information is also displayed in certain bus shelters.
First (http://www.firstgroup.com) runs most of the bus services within Leeds, and if you are travelling by bus, the best option is to buy a "FirstDay" day ticket for £4.00 M-F before 9:30AM which allows unlimited on First Bus within West Yorkshire all day or £3.20 other times which allows unlimited on First Bus within Leeds after 9:30AM and Weekends . Public transport is good--most major bus routes within the city are every 10 min or so. Useful bus routes for visitors include the following:
CityBus
(http://www.wymetro.com/Bu...) - loops around much of the city centre every 6-7 minutes during the day, one journey costs 50p. If catching this service, it's best to do so at either the Bus Station or Rail Station; if a bus is full, it will not stop to take on more passengers and you can be waiting in excess of an hour at busy times. Please note that this bus is no longer free.1
Holt Park North West Leeds - Headingley - Universities - City centre - Beeston south Leeds2
Roundhay Park - Moortown - Chapel Allerton - City Centre - Middleton south Leeds3/3A
White Rose Shopping Centre South Leeds - City Centre - Chapel Allerton - Gledhow4 ftr
(http://www.goftr.com/leeds) - Whinmoor - Seacroft Shopping Centre - St James's University Hospital - City Centre - West Leeds - Pudsey Watch out for ultra-modern purple and mauve bendy-buses.12
& 13/13A - Middleton south Leeds - City Centre - Harehills - Oakwood - Roundhay Park (12/Gledhow 13/13A16/16A
Seacroft Shopping Centre - City Centre - Armley - Bramley - Rodley - Pudsey Bus Station18/18A
Ireland Wood north west Leeds - Headingley cricket ground - City Centre - East Leeds - Selby Road - Garforth28/28B
Adel - Headingley - Universities - City Centre - Clarence Dock33/33A
City Centre - Kirkstall - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley - Otley37/37A
City Centre - East Leeds40
Seacroft Shopping Centre - Cross Gates - City Centre42
Old Farnley - Wortley - City Centre - Burmantofts - St James's University Hospital - Fearnville49
& 50/50A - East Leeds - St James' University Hopital - City Centre - Burley Road - Bramley 49 - Horsforth 50/50A51/55
Morley south of Leeds - Elland Road Leeds United football ground - City Centre - Meanwood - Moor Allerton Shopping Centre56
Whinmoor - East Leeds - City Centre - Tinshill north west Leeds71
City Centre - Scott Hall Road - Park & Ride - Alwoodley Primley Park72
Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Headrow - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Thornbury - Bradford73
Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Train Station - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Pudsey95
& 96 - City Centre - Universities - Headingley - Otley Road - Lawnswood - Bodington Hall 95 or Cookridge 9697
City Centre - Headingley - West Park - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley