How to travel from Barnstaple to Holyhead, United Kingdom

The distance between Barnstaple and Holyhead is around 489km (304 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 5h 40m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Barnstaple to Holyhead by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out HolyheadBarnstaple if you're planning a return trip.

1
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Exeter St Davids, Birmingham New Street then Crewe and then to Holyhead.

  • Duration6h 25m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £145($175)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Brunel Street, Liverpool then Bangor Gwynedd and then to Holyhead Clock.

  • Duration11h 45m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £38($45)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Holyhead.

  • Duration5h 40m
  • Distance489km (304 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Barnstaple and Holyhead

There are several options for getting from Barnstaple to Holyhead by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £38 ($45) and will take around 11h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 5h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £84 ($100).

The distance between Barnstaple and Holyhead is around 489km (304 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 251km (156 miles)

It takes around 6h 25m to get from Barnstaple and Holyhead by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Barnstaple to Holyhead is to drive which takes around 5h 40m and will set you back approx £84 ($100).

The cheapest way to travel between Barnstaple and Holyhead, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £38 ($45) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Barnstaple and Holyhead. It typically takes around 6h 25m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct train services that runs from Barnstaple to Holyhead. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Exeter St Davids, Birmingham New Street and Crewe. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 6h 25m.

Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, London Midland, Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales run train services between Barnstaple and Holyhead. Trains depart 5 times a day and will take around 6h 25m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Barnstaple and Holyhead. It typically takes around 11h 45m and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Barnstaple to Holyhead. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Brunel Street, Birmingham Summer Row- Great Charles Street, Liverpool and Bangor Gwynedd. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 11h 45m.

Megabus UK, FlixBus, National Express and Arriva Cymru run regular bus services between Barnstaple and Holyhead. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 11h 45m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Barnstaple to Holyhead. We recommend that you take the train to Exeter St Davids, Birmingham New Street then Crewe and then to Holyhead. instead which will take 6h 25m.

The closest major airport to Holyhead is Isle of Man Airport (IOM) (IOM) which is approximately 86km (54 miles) from Holyhead. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) (LPL) and Manchester Airport (MAN) (MAN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Barnstaple and Holyhead. The distance is around 489km (304 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Barnstaple to Holyhead is to take the train which takes, on average, 6h 25m and will usually cost around £145 ($175).

How do I get from Barnstaple to Holyhead

Compare travel optionsbetween Barnstaple and Holyhead

Transport options from Barnstaple to Holyhead
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
6h 25m
£145($175)
5 times a day580km (361 miles)
Train via Exeter St Davids8h 30m
£175($210)
every 4 hours619km (385 miles)
Bus
11h 45m
£38($45)
6 times a week637km (396 miles)
Drive
5h 40m
£84($100)
on demand489km (304 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Barnstaple and Holyhead

Train operators

Airports near Holyhead

The following major airports near Holyhead offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

IOM
Isle of Man Airport (IOM)
Domestic Airport
Distance
86km (54 miles) from Holyhead
LPL
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
International Airport
Distance
118km (73 miles) from Holyhead
MAN
Manchester Airport (MAN)
International Airport
Distance
157km (97 miles) from Holyhead