How To Get From London to Stonehenge

Need to get from London to Stonehenge? You’re in luck. The capital city is well connected to most places in the UK, including Stonehenge. It’s easily reachable by car, tour bus, or train. Whether you’re spending a few days in the dazzling London, with its museums, historical sites, and great nightlife, or you’re just passing through, you’ll find it a good base to get to Stonehenge.

Stonehenge is one of the most famous monuments in the UK, a unique collection of rocks with plenty of theories and stories encircling the mysterious structure. It’s one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments as the only surviving lintelled stone circle in the world. Locals and tourists alike will love exploring this fascinating place.

Coach

For those who want a hassle-free journey that simply gets you from point A to point B, a coach is a great option. While there aren’t any direct buses from London to Stonehenge, you can easily hop on a coach from London Victoria Coach Station, dropping you off directly by the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. There are a few tour providers that offer this service, including this one. It includes admission fee, so you don’t have to worry about queuing for a ticket when you arrive.

When you’re there, you have around two and a half hours to roam around as you wish. There’s no tour guide but there is the option to listen to a handy audio guide, which comes in 12 different languages. Guided tours aren’t for everyone but they are convenient. So, if you want the convenience of a tour while having the freedom to explore by yourself, this could be the mode of transport for you. The journey there and back takes around two hours and gives you ample time to take in and appreciate the beautiful countryside. And you can tuck into a meal during your journey – you have the option to add it on.

Tour

The Roman Baths in Bath, UK

If you like to learn from an expert guide and have the opportunity to visit other sites along the way, a guided tour could be the perfect choice for you. There are several providers that go go straight from London to Stonehenge, or combine some of the area’s most beautiful and historical spots into a day trip, including Winsdor, Bath, and Oxford. Windsor Castle is famous for being the oldest castle with royalty still living in it, Bath is a wonderful city with fascinating ancient ruins, and Oxford is known for its medieval city and university. There’s so much to see, ideal for those who have a limited time in England but want to see multiple attractions. And that’s before you’ve even got to Stonehenge – get a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and theories about how and why the 5,000-year-old structure was built.

Train & Bus

Stonehenge is in Salisbury Plain, a vast and remote space. Because it’s so remote, there aren’t any direct trains from London to Stonehenge. However, travelling by rail tends to be one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport, so if that’s important to you then it’s certainly a viable option.

You can get a direct train to Salisbury from Waterloo Station, which takes 1 hour 30 minutes. These tend to be more expensive than train journeys that require changing at another station – these only take up to 2 hours 15 minutes, so there’s not much difference. Alternatively, you could get the bus to Salisbury. This is cheaper than the train but typically takes around 3 hours and has fewer departure times than the trains, which run regularly. If you’re an international visitor, we recommend looking into the BritRail passes, you could save a fortune!

Once you’re in Salisbury, you have a few options to get to Stonehenge. There are several convenient shuttle bus companies that take you directly there and include admission into the transport fee. These are hop-on-hop-off buses, so you don’t have to stick to a tight schedule – there’s a regular timetable so you can come and go when it’s best for you. Some tour companies will also have the option to stop off at the Old Sarum ruins. Or, you could take a taxi – the journey is around 20 minutes. If you’re into slow and environmentally friendly travel, you could also rent a bike. It’s about an hour’s cycle and offers a fun, adventurous way to see the historic site.

Car

Castle Combe in the Cotswolds, UK

If you value freedom and convenience, then getting from London to Stonehenge by car is a good option. One thing to consider for international travellers is that Brits drive on the left side of the road, which can be confusing for first-timers. But if you’re up for it, then the first step is finding a car hire company. There are countless car hire firms in the city and it can be a bit of a minefield, so be sure to compare deals to find the best price and car for you.

Another thing to take into account is London’s notorious traffic and the congestion charges, but it’s plain sailing once you’re out of the city. It’s a great opportunity to see the great British countryside, passing by miles of fields and through cute towns. Even though the journey is only around 2 and a half hours from central London, you can include an overnight stay or two to extend the journey and explore the lovely towns of South West England. The charming villages in the Cotswolds are a highlight, and although they steer slightly out of the way, they’re worth the trip. Castle Combe is particularly lovely, so picturesque that it’s regularly featured in films and TV shows.

Parking is included in the admission fee, but it can get very busy during peak times like weekends, summer holidays, and especially on the summer solstice. We advise you to get there early to be in for a spot, or park in one of Salisbury’s many car parks in the city centre and grab the shuttle bus. This also gives you the chance to explore Salisbury and its beautiful cathedral and other magnificent historical sites.