National Travel Survey

Information on personal travel in Great Britain from the National Travel Survey. This web page provides personal travel based data from the National Travel Survey. This is a continuous survey designed to monitor long-term trends in personal travel in Great Britain. The survey collects information on where, how, why and when people travel as well as factors which affect personal travel such as car availability, driving licence holding and access to key services.

The latest information from the National Travel Survey

Latest update: 9 June 2011

On 9 June 2011 the Department for Transport launched a public consultation on the future design of the National Travel Survey. The consultation period will run from 9 June to 5 September 2011.

The consultation document is published online at:

• http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/DfT-2011-16/

• Statistical release - National Travel Survey 2009 (PDF - 91 KB)
• Driving licence holding and vehicle availability (PDF - 73 KB)
• How people travel (PDF - 78 KB)
• Why people travel (PDF - 43 KB)
• When people travel (PDF - 40 KB)
• Travel by age and gender (PDF - 52 KB)
• Travel by car availability, income, ethnic group and household type (PDF - 39 KB)
• Accessibility (PDF - 34 KB)
• Vehicles (PDF - 34 KB)

Summary of latest key results

• There has been a steady falling trend in trip rates since 1995/97, while average distance travelled per person per year remained relatively stable until 2007, then has declined slightly over the last two years.
• Overall in 2009, there were an average of 973 trips per person per year, 1,070 stages, 6,775 miles travelled, and an average trip length of 7.0 miles.
• Most of the fall in overall trips rates between 1995/97 and 2009 can be accounted for by a fall in shopping, visiting friends at private homes and commuting. The last two years has seen a large fall (9%) in the number of commuting trips.
• Since 1995/97 the proportion of men with a full driving licence has remained relatively stable at around 80%, but it has continued to increase among women, from 57% to 65% in 2009. Licence holding also continued to grow among older people.
• Trips by car (driver and passenger) accounted for 63% of all trips made and 79% of distance travelled in 2009.
• On average, females make more trips than males, but males travel much further per year.
• The average annual car mileage has decreased as the number of cars per household has risen, falling from about 9,700 in 1995/97 to 8,420 in 2009. In particular, there were large falls in business and commuting mileage.

Tables, charts and maps

The tables provide further details on the topics covered in the NTS statistical release. Please refer to the notes on the tables themselves and the technical information documents further down this web page.

Complete set of annual NTS tables, charts and PDFs

• Complete set of annual NTS tables, charts and PDFs (ZIP - 2713 KB)

Trends in personal travel

• NTS0101 Trips, distance travelled and time taken per person per year: Great Britain, since 1972/73 (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0102 Trips, distance travelled and time taken - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 49 KB)
• NTS0103 Average number of trips by selected private transport modes - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 54 KB)
• NTS0104 Average number of trips by selected public transport modes - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 49 KB)
• NTS0105 Average distance travelled by selected private modes - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 54 KB)
• NTS0106 Average distance travelled by selected public transport modes - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 53 KB)
• NTS0107 Average distance travelled by selected private transport modes - index: London, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 49 KB)

Driving licence holding and vehicle availability

Driving licence holding

• NTS0201 Full car driving licence holders by age and gender: Great Britain since 1975/76 (with chart) (XLS - 76 KB)
• NTS0202 Full car driving licence holders aged 17-20 by gender: Great Britain, since 1989/91 (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS9901 Full car driving licence holders by gender, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS0203 Reasons for not driving by age: Great Britain (XLS - 37 KB)
• NTS0204 Likelihood of non-licence holders learning to drive by age: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)

Car and motorcycle availability

• NTS0205 Household car availability: Great Britain, since 1951 (XLS - 73 KB)
• NTS9902 Household car ownership by region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0206 Adult personal car availability by gender: Great Britain, since 1975/76 (with chart) (XLS - 65 KB)
• NTS0207 Households with or without a motorcycle by household car availability: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 38 KB)

How people travel

Mode of travel - trips, distance travelled and trip lengths

• NTS0301 Mode share - average number of trips: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 46 KB)
• NTS0302 Mode share - average distance travelled: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 46 KB)
• NTS0303 Average number of trips (trip rates) by main mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS9903 Average number of trips (trip rates) by main mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS0304 Average number of stages travelled by mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS0305 Average distance travelled by mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS9904 Average distance travelled by mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS0306 Average trip length by main mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 36 KB)
• NTS0307 Average number of trips by trip length: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 37 KB)
• NTS0308 Average number of trips by trip length and main mode: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 66 KB)
• NTS0309 Average distance travelled by trip length and mode: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS9909 Proportion of urban trips under 5 miles by main mode and region: Great Britain (Business Plan impact indicator) (XLS - 166 KB)

Time spent travelling

• NTS0310 Average time spent travelling by main mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0311 Average trip time by main mode: Great Britain, 1995/97 to 2009 (XLS - 40 KB)
• NTS9905 Percentage of trips by region and area type of origin and destination: Great Britain (XLS - 42 KB)

Walking, cycling, motorcycling and public transport use

• NTS0312 Walks of 20 minutes or more by age: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)
• NTS0313 Frequency of use of bicycles and public transport modes: Great Britain, since 1998/00 (XLS - 42 KB)
• NTS0314 Bicycle and motorcycle trips per rider per week: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 36 KB)
• NTS0315 Where usually cycled in the last 12 months: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 35 KB)

Long distance trips

• NTS0316 Number of flights abroad in the last 12 months: Great Britain, since 2006 (XLS - 35 KB)
• NTS0317 Long distance trips within Great Britain by main mode and length: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)

Why people travel

Purpose of travel - trips, distance travelled and trip lengths

• NTS0401 Purpose share - average number of trips: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 47 KB)
• NTS0402 Purpose share - average distance travelled: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 47 KB) (XLS - 47 KB)
• NTS0403 Average number of trips (trip rates) per person per year by trip purpose: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS9906 Average number of trips (trip rates) by purpose, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS0404 Average distance travelled by trip purpose: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS9907 Average distance travelled by purpose, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS0405 Average trip length by trip purpose: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0406 Average trip duration by trip purpose: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 39 KB)

Long distance trips by purpose

• NTS0407 Long distance trips within Great Britain by purpose and length: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)

Trip chaining

• NTS0408 Purpose of next trip by gender and previous trip: Great Britain (XLS - 37 KB)

Travel by purpose and main mode

• NTS0409 Average number of trips by purpose and main mode: Great Britain (with charts) (XLS - 114 KB)
• NTS0410 Average distance travelled by purpose and main mode: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)

When people travel

Trips by time of day

• NTS0501 Trips in progress by time of day and day of week - index: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 53 KB)
• NTS0502 Trip start time by trip purpose (Monday to Friday only): Great Britain (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS0503 Trip purpose by trip start time (Monday to Friday only): Great Britain (XLS - 39 KB)

Daily and monthly trip patterns

• NTS0504 Average trips by day of the week and purpose: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 52 KB)
• NTS0505 Average number of trips by month and purpose: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 53 KB)
• NTS0506 Average number of trips by month and main mode: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 59 KB)

Travel by age and gender

Mode of travel by age and gender

• NTS0601 Average number of trips (trip rates) by age, gender and main mode: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 73 KB)
• NTS0602 Average number of trips by main mode for males - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS0603 Average number of trips by main mode for females - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS0604 Average number of stages by age, gender and mode: Great Britain (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0605 Average distance travelled by age, gender and mode: Great Britain (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0606 Average distance travelled by mode for males - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS0607 Average distance travelled by mode for females - index: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 49 KB)

Cycling and motorcycling by age and gender

• NTS0608 Bicycle ownership by age: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 48 KB)
• NTS0609 Bicycle trips by age and gender: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 47 KB)
• NTS0610 Motorcyclists by age: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 46 KB)

Purpose of travel by age and gender

• NTS0611 Average number of trips (trip rates) by age, gender and purpose: Great Britain (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0612 Average distance travelled by age, gender and purpose: Great Britain (XLS - 45 KB)

School travel

• NTS0613 Trips to and from school per child per year by main mode: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with charts) (XLS - 56 KB)
• NTS0614 Trips to school by main mode, trip length and age: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 52 KB)
• NTS9908 Trips to and from school by main mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS0615 Cars taking children (aged 5-16) to school in urban areas during term-time: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 35 KB)

Children's independence

• NTS0616 Whether children (aged 7-13) are accompanied to school by an adult and the reasons: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0617 Whether children (aged 7-13) who usually walk to school are accompanied to school by an adult and the reasons: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS0618 Whether children (aged 7-13) are allowed to cross roads alone: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 39 KB)

Concessionary bus travel

• NTS0619 Take-up of concessionary fare schemes by area type: Great Britain, since 1998/00 (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0620 Take-up of concessionary fare schemes by gender: Great Britain, since 1998/00 (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0621 Frequency of bus use for those aged 60 years and over: Great Britain, since 1998/00 (with chart) (XLS - 44 KB)

Mobility difficulties

• NTS0622 Mobility difficulties by age and gender: Great Britain (XLS - 37 KB)

Road safety

• NTS0623 Proportion of individuals who have been involved in a road accident: Great Britain (XLS - 57 KB)
• NTS0624 Details of involvement and injuries sustained in road accidents in previous 3 years: Great Britain (XLS - 37 KB)

Travel by car availability, income, ethnic group and household type

• NTS0701 Variations in travel by household car availability and personal car access: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 102 KB) (XLS - 104 KB)
• NTS0702 Travel by personal car access, gender and main mode/mode: Great Britain (XLS - 38 KB)
• NTS0703 Household car availability by household income quintile: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS0704 Adult personal car availability by household income quintile: Great Britain, 2009 (XLS - 35 KB)
• NTS0705 Travel by household income quintile and main mode/mode: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 65 KB)
• NTS0706 Travel by household type and main mode/mode: Great Britain (XLS - 39 KB)
• NTS0707 Adult personal car availability by ethnic group: Great Britain (XLS - 38 KB)

Accessibility

Bus and train service access, frequency and reliability

• NTS0801 Time taken to walk to nearest bus stop by area type and bus availability indicator: Great Britain and England (with chart) (XLS - 57 KB)
• NTS0802 Ratings of frequency and reliability of local buses and trains: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 40 KB)

Time to local facilities

• NTS0803 Shortest journey time to local facilities on foot or by public transport: Great Britain, since 2005 (XLS - 45 KB)

Workplace and working from home

• NTS0804 Workplace and working at home: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 35 KB)
• NTS0805 Workplace by employment status and gender: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)

Deliveries of goods and services

• NTS0806 Deliveries of goods and services: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 40 KB)

Vehicles

Annual car mileage

• NTS0901 Annual mileage of 4-wheeled cars by type and trip purpose: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)
• NTS0902 Annual mileage of petrol and diesel 4-wheeled cars: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 34 KB)
• NTS0903 Annual mileage of 4-wheeled cars by fuel type and trip purpose: Great Britain (XLS - 36 KB)
• NTS0904 Annual mileage of 4-wheeled cars: Great Britain, since 2002 (XLS - 36 KB)

Car occupancy

• NTS0905 Car occupancy: Great Britain, since 1995/97 (XLS - 36 KB)
• NTS0906 Car occupancy by trip purpose: Great Britain (XLS - 35 KB)

Satellite navigation technology

• NTS0907 Cars with or without satellite navigation technology by type: Great Britain (XLS - 33 KB)

Parking

• NTS0908 Where vehicles are parked overnight by area type: Great Britain (with chart) (XLS - 50 KB)

Region and area type

• NTS9901 Full car driving licence holders by gender, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS9902 Household car ownership by region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 44 KB)
• NTS9903 Average number of trips (trip rates) by main mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS9904 Average distance travelled by mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS9905 Percentage of trips by region and area type of origin and destination: Great Britain (XLS - 42 KB)
• NTS9906 Average number of trips (trip rates) by purpose, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS9907 Average distance travelled by purpose, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 43 KB)
• NTS9908 Trips to and from school by main mode, region and area type: Great Britain (XLS - 41 KB)
• NTS9909 Proportion of urban trips under 5 miles by main mode and region: Great Britain (Business Plan impact indicator) (XLS - 166 KB)

Technical information

• National Travel Survey 2009 pre-release access list (PDF - 10 KB)
• National Travel Survey 2009 technical report (PDF - 2184 KB)
• Notes and definitions (PDF - 57 KB)
• Sample numbers: 1995 to 2009 (XLS - 40 KB)
• Sample numbers for region and area type tables: 2008/09 (XLS - 40 KB)
• Table look-up: 2008 NTS bulletin to 2009 NTS web tables (XLS - 41 KB)
• Standard errors - methodology: 2009 NTS (PDF - 171 KB)
• Standard errors - analysis: 2009 NTS (XLS - 242 KB)
• National Travel Survey questionnaire 2010 (PDF - 1689 KB)
• National Travel Survey questionnaire 2011 (PDF - 544 KB)
• NTS Fuel and mileage chart (PDF - 164 KB)
• Young persons travel record 2011 (PDF - 534 KB)
• Adult travel record 2011 (PDF - 681 KB)
• National Travel Survey technical reports 2000-2008

Factsheets

• Commuting and Business Travel Factsheet - April 2011 (PDF - 51 KB)
• Commuting and Business Travel Factsheet Tables - April 2011 (XLS - 216 KB)
• Health-related travel difficulties personal travel factsheet - March 2010 (PDF - 41 KB)
• Travel in urban and rural areas personal travel factsheet - March 2010 (PDF - 43 KB)
• Use of public buses personal travel factsheet - March 2010 (PDF - 57 KB)
• Vehicles personal travel factsheet - March 2010 (PDF - 51 KB)
• Personal travel factsheets 2003-2008

Statistical research and development

• Experiences of road accidents - piloting new questions for the NTS
• National Travel Survey new technology reports
  • NTS GPS feasibility study (PDF - 1024 KB)
  • NTS GPS feasibility study - preliminary phase (PDF - 891 KB)
  • Potential role of new technologies in the NTS - technical annex (PDF - 1024 KB)
  • Review of relevant technologies (PDF - 926 KB)
  • Review of the potential role of 'new technologies' in the NTS (PDF - 483 KB)
• NTS travel record review
  • Summary of changes to the NTS travel record for the 2007 survey (PDF - 228 KB)
  • NTS travel record review stage 1 (PDF - 1024 KB)
  • NTS travel record review stage 2 (PDF - 2048 KB)

Older research

• Weighting the National Travel Survey
• Choosing optimal stratifiers for the NTS (PDF - 961 KB)
• Feasibility study of quantitative follow up surveys of NTS respondents (PDF - 609 KB)
• Incentives experiment report (July 2003) (DOC - 227 KB)

Previous NTS statistical releases

These are superseded publications. The most recent NTS statistical release is available at the top of this web page.

• National Travel Survey 2008
• National Travel Survey 2007
• National Travel Survey 2006
• National Travel Survey 2005
• National Travel Survey 2004
• National Travel Survey 2003
• National Travel Survey 2002
• National Travel Survey 1999/2001
• National Travel Survey 1996-2001

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