How to Get from London to Stonehenge

To get from London to Stonehenge using public transportation, you will need to take a train and a bus. Complicated as that may sound, it is not difficult to do if you follow a few simple steps.

How to get from London to Stonehenge:

1. Take a train from London to Salisbury at 20 or 50 minutes past the hour. Trains leave almost every hour at these times from Waterloo station, so you have plenty of options. If you are visiting the UK between mid-October and April, you should take a train at 20 past, as connecting buses run less frequently during this time. If you take a train at 50 past, you will have to wait a long time for your bus connection in Salisbury.

2. When you arrive in Salisbury, exit the train station and turn left. Walk along the station’s outer wall for about twenty meters. There you will see a sign indicating a bus stop. Wait at the sign for the bus to arrive. Between mid-October and April, and the bus will arrive at 50 minutes past the hour. It will leave the bus stop 10 minutes later on the hour. Between May and mid-October, buses will arrive at both 20 and 50 minutes past the hour, and depart at half past and on the hour, respectively.

3. Board the bus and pay 11 GBP for a return ticket to Stonehenge. The bus will take you directly to the Stonehenge visitor center. It is a fast and efficient journey, and does not require any changes.

If you don’t want to get from London to Stonehenge using public transportation, another option is to take a Stonehenge tour with a local tour company. They will organize transport from London for you or take you from Salisbury or Bath to Stonehenge.

Trains from London to Salisbury

Facade of Salisbury Cathedral in England
Salisbury Cathedral

Trains from London to Salisbury are a great way to get from the UK capital to the city with the famous cathedral. They are also the connection point for visitors taking the train from London to Stonehenge, as buses from Salisbury to Stonehenge depart from outside of the Salisbury train station.

Trains on this route are run by South West Trains. They leave regularly from London’s Waterloo train station near the south bank of the Thames. They arrive at Salisbury train station in Wiltshire. From there it is a short walk into the city center and to Salisbury Cathedral.

There are two trains an hour that run directly from Waterloo station to Salisbury. One train from London to Salisbury runs at 20 minutes past the hour. It takes 1 hour and 22 minutes to reach Salisbury station. The other train departs at 50 minutes past the hour. It takes 1 hour and 29 minutes to travel to Salisbury.

Return trains from Salisbury to London run every hour at 21 minutes and 47 minutes past the hour. The former takes 1 hour and 28 minutes to get to London, and the latter takes 1 hour and 32 minutes to travel to Waterloo station.

Tickets for trains from London to Salisbury vary in price depending on when you book them. The earlier you buy train tickets, the less you will have to pay for them. If you purchase them online before travelling, they can cost from 34.70 GBP for a single.

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral in England, UK
Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral is one of the finest examples of 13th century early English Gothic style architecture. Built in just 38 years, Salisbury Cathedral was begun in 1220 and finished in 1258.

Salisbury Cathedral is perhaps best known for two things. First, it has the tallest spire in Britain, measuring 123 meters, or 404 feet tall. It is visible from all over the city.

Second, the cathedral is home to one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. The document is on display in the cathedral, and visitors can view it up close. Seeing such an important document is one of the highlights of a trip to Salisbury.

Additionally, Salisbury Cathedral houses Europe’s largest cloisters, the earliest surviving complete choir stalls, and the oldest clock. The clock dates from 1386, adding to the feeling of history one is steeped in while visiting the cathedral.

Guided tours of Salisbury Cathedral operate on most days, as do tours of Salisbury Cathedral’s spire and roof spaces.

If you are based in London while you are visiting the UK, you can take a day trip from London to Salisbury cathedral to see the church and its famous interior. Click here for information on trains from London to Salisbury.