By Road
The M27 motorway joins the A31 and A388 roads for fast access to Bournemouth and Poole. The A35 also provides quick access to many of the surrounding cities and towns: Exeter, Honiton, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Southampton, all are connected.
Dorchester and Weymouth have recently undergone £89.2 million of investment ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games. Dorset County Council invested the sum to modernise road conditions and help businesses benefit from the considerable opportunities coming to the region.
A substantial new road was opened on the 17 March 2011. As well as providing relief for Dorchester Road, the road has boosted trade and tourism ensuring reliable journey times on the A354, which is used by more than 35,000 cars and lorries on a daily basis.
By Rail
South Dorset has excellent rail links to the rest of the UK. South West Trains run fast and frequent services from London (x2 services per hour), Woking, Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton to Dorchester and Weymouth. Virgin Trains provide fast daily services from the Midlands, the North and Scotland. Wessex Trains run a service on the Heart of Wessex line between Bristol, Bath, Westbury and Yeovil to Dorchester and Weymouth.
By Bus
South Dorset is well served by bus routes. There are two main operators, First Group and Wilts and Dorset Bus. Between them they have a 120-mile footprint offering regular, reliable services.
Weymouth has also recently acquired a brand new Park and Ride facility. The pay to park, ride for free service offers cost-effective travel to Weymouth Town Centre and Dorchester and has 1,000 pay and display car park spaces on site.
By Air
There are major airports at Bournemouth, Southampton, Exeter and Bristol. There are also good South West connections from London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
By Sea
There are ferry terminals at Weymouth and Poole. From Weymouth, Condor Ferries run fast ferries to Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo, carrying cars and foot passengers. From Poole, Brittany Ferries operate to Cherbourg and Condor Ferries operate fast ferry services to Jersey, Guernsey, St Malo and Cherbourg. Again, carrying foot passengers and cars.