Traveling to Bristol from London is simple and fast enough to make day trips easy and fun. This college town is Banksy’s hometown and the street art capital of Great Britain. It has a bustling promenade, a cool covered market, one of the best science parks / science museums in England, and some Georgian neighborhoods with good pubs. Use these information resources to compare travel alternatives and plan your trip.
The city hosts one of the best annual hot air balloon festivals in Europe. And fans of historic feats of engineering should take the time to visit the Clifton District to walk through the picturesque Avon Gorge on Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s beautiful Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Train
Great Western operates direct trains from London Paddington Station to historic Bristol Temple Meads throughout the day. The trip takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes and tickets can be found using the National Rail Inquiry’s cheapest fare finder.
Bus
The National Express coaches from London to Bath take approximately two hours and 45 minutes, the cost will vary depending on how far in advance you buy your tickets and what time you travel. In general, there are a limited number of cheaper tickets for each trip that naturally sell out first. Buses travel between London Victoria Coach Station and Bristol Coach Station regularly throughout the day.
Bus tickets can be purchased online. There may be a variable reservation fee depending on the type of ticket you buy. Paper tickets, self-print e-tickets, and mobile phone tickets are available on the website.
Car
Bristol is directly west of London, 118 miles from Trafalgar Square on the M4 motorway. Depending on traffic, it can take two to three hours to drive.
Keep in mind that gasoline, called petrol in the UK, is sold by the liter (just over a quart). Parking in Bristol can also be expensive, but there are several Park and Ride options on the outskirts of the city that are quite reasonably priced. Use the Automobile Association Route Planner to map a route with suggested stopovers and gas stations.
UK Travel Tip: The London to Bath route is also one of London’s main commuter routes and the main road from Heathrow Airport to London. Traffic jams that are virtual stops can happen at any time of the day.
If you plan just a day trip, the train or coach trip makes the most sense. But if you plan to drive, there is plenty to do for an overnight trip with more than enough to keep you busy for a couple of days.
If you decide to stay
The highly recommended Hotel du Vin is in the center of Bristol. It is luxurious at relatively moderate prices, it is dog friendly and has a good restaurant. Plus, it’s right in the middle of things.
