4 Ways How to Get from London to Bournemouth (Dorset, UK)

Are you looking for ways how to get from London to Bournemouth? I got you covered! I’ve been to the beautiful coastal town of Bournemouth and I’m here to share with you ways how you can visit this gorgeous English town.

Bournemouth is a town in Dorset which is in the country of England. You can easily reach Bournemouth from London for a dose of this seaside resort town.

You can reach Bournemouth from London by train, coach, car and tour. The road distance between London and Bournemouth is 171.5 kilometres or 106.6 miles while the direct distance is 151.2 kilometres or 94 miles. It takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes to travel this distance by car. 

Let’s look at the different modes of transportation you can take if you’re coming to Bournemouth from London.

Bournemouth Pier in Bournemouth Dorset UK
Ways How to Get from London to Bournemouth: Bournemouth Pier

How to get from London to Bournemouth

OPTION 1: How to get from London to Bournemouth by Train

  • Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • Travel Fare: from £14

You can easily travel from London to Bournemouth by train. You can catch the train in London departing from London Waterloo and London Paddington stations. All of them arrive at Bournemouth Station.

South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are train operators that travel between these two destinations. Here is a sample timetable for your reference:

Train from London to Bournemouth

DEPARTUREARRIVALDURATIONFARE
Earliest trip6:30 am8:46 am2 hours 16 minutes£14
Cheapest and fastest trip8:35 am10:20 am1 hour 45 minutes£14
Latest trip 11:40 pm1:52 am2 hours 12 minutes£14

I head to Trainline and Omio to get the best train ticket deals. Make sure to book your London to Bournemouth trip in advance so you can choose the most cost-efficient timeslot.

Our Pick
TRAIN TRAVEL CTA

BEST TRAIN DEALS!

If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.

OPTION 2: How to get from London to Bournemouth by Coach

  • Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Travel Fare: from £7.18

Travelling by coach from London to Bournemouth is another option worth considering. The coaches run from London Victoria Coach Station and stop at Bournemouth Station, off Holdenhurst Road.

Here is what it looks like to travel by coach from London to Bournemouth:

Coach from London to Bournemouth

DEPARTUREARRIVALDURATIONFARE
Earliest and Cheapest trip12:30 am3:05 am2 hours 35 minutes£7.18
Fastest trip9:00 pm11:15 pm2 hours 15 minutes£15.67
Latest trip 10:00 pm12:20 am2 hours 20 minutes£12.56

While checking Trainline for great train ticket deals, you will also find a coach tab there where you can find the timings for coach trips coming from London to Bournemouth. There are a lot of direct trips available, although some would require change in between.

You can also directly check out National Express. It runs the 035 services for up to 14 times a day. Megabus is another option as well. It has up to 6 London to Bournemouth trips daily.

Our Pick
COACH BUS TRAVEL CTA

BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!

If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the United Kingdom.

OPTION 3: How to get from London to Bournemouth by Car

  • Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 2 minutes
  • Travel Fare: from £24.28

You can drive from London to Bournemouth by car. If you have driven in this part of the world before, it will be more manageable for you. However, if this is your first time, I suggest you read my UK driving tips to help you understand how it is to drive here.

If you are not bringing your own car, you can rent a car via Rental Cars, Europcar, or Discover Cars. The price for one day, if you’re picking the car up from London, starts at £24.28.

Once you’ve settled that, then you’re good to go. To travel from London to Bournemouth, drive a total of 106.6 miles via M3.

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CAR RENTAL CTA k

BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!

If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.

OPTION 4: How to get from London to Bournemouth by Tour

  • Travel Duration: Varies
  • Travel Fare: varies

For sure, there are travel agencies that offer day trips from London to Bournemouth. This saves you time when it comes to planning and booking each and every step of your journey.

If what you managed to secure is just transportation, don’t worry because there are Bournemouth tours via Get Your Guide which you can book once you are there.

RECOMMENDED TOURS TO BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET, UK:

More About Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

  • Get Your Guide curates the most interesting activities in Bournemouth in one doable itinerary. Be sure to check it out.
  • I also wrote an article about the best things to do in Bournemouth. I encourage you to read it to learn more about this beautiful coastal town.
  • If you fancy knowing more about the beautiful county of Dorset, I made another post about the best things to do in Dorset, UK.

Map of Bournemouth, Dorset, UK:

HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:

CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.

FAQs on How to Get from London to Bournemouth:

What station in London goes to Bournemouth?

London Waterloo and London Paddington Stations in London which has trains that go to Bournemouth.

What train company goes from London to Bournemouth?

South Western Railway and Great Western Railway are train operators that travel from London to Bournemouth.

What is the distance from London to Bournemouth by train?

The London to Bournemouth by train covers a distance of around 108 miles or 173.8 kilometers.

Can I travel from London to Bournemouth by car?

Yes, you can travel from London to Bournemouth by car. To get there, you have to drive a total of 106.6 miles via M3.

Are there London to Bournemouth flights?

No, there are no direct flights from London to Bournemouth. While both destinations have their respective airports, it would be unreasonable to travel by air.

Does Bournemouth have an airport?

Yes, Bournemouth has an airport. Bournemouth Airport (BOH) is formerly known as Hurn Airport and Bournemouth International Airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Bournemouth?

The cheapest way to get from London to Bournemouth is by coach. You can buy a one-way ticket for as low as  £7.18.

What is the fastest way to get from London to Bournemouth?

The fastest way to get from London to Bournemouth is by train. You can get there in as fast as 1 hour and 45 minutes.

What is the best way to get from London to Bournemouth?

The best way to get from London to Bournemouth is by train. It is the best option for those who value time over cost. The ticket cost is relatively cheaper than driving there on your own as well.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE

🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)


💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.


🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.


📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.


🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)


✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.


🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.


💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)


🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.


🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.

Ways How to Get from London to Bournemouth pin
Ways How to Get from London to Bournemouth

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany Dual Citizen Travel Blog

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.

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