Are you wondering about ways how to get from London to Ascot in Berkshire, UK to watch the races? Ascot is a place in the county of Berkshire, South East England, most known for its world-renowned British racecourse. The village is situated near London, so a day trip to this famous tourist destination is entirely possible.
You can reach Ascot from London by train, bus, car and tour. The road distance between London and Ascot is 50.2 kilometres or 31.2 miles while the direct distance is 38.6 kilometres or 24 miles. It takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Ready to visit this well-loved destination? Here’s what you need to know about travelling from London to Ascot, including some frequently asked questions about this trip.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images/ Ascot Racecourse)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 14: The Prince of Wales with The Duchess of Cornwall are seen in the royal procession as they enter the parade ring during Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 14, 2022, in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images/ Ascot Racecourse)
Read more: Horse Racing in Great Britain (UK): Why British Love Horse Racing
How to get from London to Ascot
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Ascot by Train
- Travel Duration: about 51 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £14
Hopping on a train is the easiest way to get to Ascot from London. Catch the train from London Waterloo and London Paddington Stations and then disembark at Ascot Station.
Keep in mind that not all train trips are direct; some require you to transfer when you reach Reading Station.
South Western and Great Western Railway service the London to Ascot route. Here is a snippet of the daily train schedules:
Train from London to Ascot
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 3:34 am | 6:07 am | 2 hours 33 minutes | £33 |
| Latest and fastest trip | 11:50 pm: | 12:41 am | 51 minutes | £14 |
| Cheapest trip | 12:20 pm | 1:13 pm | 53 minutes | £14 |
If you’ve already decided on taking the train to Ascot from London, head over to Omio and look for the best ticket deals which are usually offered if you book in advance. Your £33 ticket could easily be £14 if you plan ahead!
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Ascot by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 39 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £11
There are buses that run from London to Ascot. National Express is the primary provider for this mode of transport. All trips are direct so you need not worry about transfers midway.
You have to be aware, though, that there are only limited trips that are available daily. Should you wish to travel by bus, book in advance at Trainline so you can secure one of the limited spots.
Here is what journeying by bus from London to Ascot looks like:
Bus from London to Ascot
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 5:10 pm | 7:19 pm | 2 hours 9 minutes | £11 |
| Latest and fastest trip | 7:35 pm: | 9:14 pm | 1 hour 39 minutes | £11 |
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 Ascot by Car
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 44 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £71.60
Do you wish to be in charge of your transport? You can do so by bringing a car on your trip to Ascot from London.
It takes less than two hours to drive from London to Ascot via M4. Depending on the traffic, you can also check out the M3 route.
If this is your first time travelling to or driving in the UK, I suggest you read my personal driving tips so you can be more prepared.
If ever you need to rent a car, you can browse through the list of available vehicles in Discover Cars. They have what you need, whether you’re driving alone or for a group.
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 Ascot by Private Transfer
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £84
If you are travelling as a group, you might want to consider getting a private transfer to take you from London to Ascot. This option is best if you want some privacy and flexibility as you travel.
Blackberry Cars is one of the transport companies that offer private transfers in London. Their pricing depends on the vehicle that best fits your group size. The duration of your trip is highly dependent on the traffic conditions at the time of your departure from London to Ascot.
Make sure to arrange your private transfer in advance because this type of service is usually pre-booked.
HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE:
More About Ascot, Berkshire, UK
- Ascot is one of the best day trip destinations from London! Get to know more about this place and all the other visit-worthy spots such as Brighton and Canterbury.
Map of Ascot, Berkshire, 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 Ascot
Which London station goes to Ascot?
London Waterloo and London Paddington Stations have trains that go to Ascot.
What is the nearest tube to Ascot?
The nearest tube to Ascot is Ascot Station.
What train line is Ascot on?
Ascot is at the junction of the Ascot to Guildford line with the Waterloo to Reading Line.
Is there a direct train from London to Ascot?
Yes, there is a direct train from London to Ascot. South Western and Great Western Railway service this route.
How long does it take to travel from London to Ascot?
It takes at least 51 minutes to travel from London to Ascot.
How do I travel from London to Ascot without a car?
If you are not bringing a car on your journey to Ascot from London, you can ride the train, get on a bus or hire a private transfer.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Ascot?
The fastest way to get from London to Ascot is by train. You can arrive there in less than an hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Ascot?
The cheapest way to get from London to Ascot is by bus. It only costs £11 to travel this way.
What is the best way to get from London to Ascot?
The best way to get from London to Ascot is by train. If you time your journey nicely, you can get the fastest trip at the cheapest rate of £14.
🚑 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.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Secret State ridden by William Buick beats Deauville Legend ridden by Daniel Muscutt to win The King George V Stakes during day three of Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 16, 2022, in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything 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.