How to travel from Bournemouth to Barnstaple, United Kingdom

The distance between Bournemouth and Barnstaple is around 185km (115 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 25m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Bournemouth to Barnstaple 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 BarnstapleBournemouth if you're planning a return trip.

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3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Reading then Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple.

  • Duration4h 5m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    £115($135)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Bristol Bus & Coach Station and then to Barnstaple Bus Station.

  • Duration5h 55m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £21($25)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Barnstaple.

  • Duration2h 25m
  • Distance185km (115 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Bournemouth and Barnstaple

There are several options for getting from Bournemouth to Barnstaple by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £21 ($25) and will take around 5h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £32 ($38).

The distance between Bournemouth and Barnstaple is around 185km (115 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 158km (98 miles)

It takes around 4h 5m to get from Bournemouth and Barnstaple by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Bournemouth to Barnstaple is to drive which takes around 2h 25m and will set you back approx £32 ($38).

The cheapest way to travel between Bournemouth and Barnstaple, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £21 ($25) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Bournemouth and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 4h 5m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Bournemouth to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Reading and Exeter St Davids. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 4h 5m.

CrossCountry and Great Western Railway run train services between Bournemouth and Barnstaple. Trains depart every 3 hours and will take around 4h 5m, 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 Bournemouth and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 5h 55m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Bournemouth to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bristol Bus & Coach Station and Bristol Bond St. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 5h 55m.

National Express and Megabus UK run regular bus services between Bournemouth and Barnstaple. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 5h 55m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Bournemouth to Barnstaple. We recommend that you take the train to Reading then Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple. instead which will take 4h 5m.

The closest major airport to Barnstaple is Exeter Airport (EXT) (EXT) which is approximately 60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple. Cardiff Airport (CWL) (CWL) and Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) (NQY) 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 Bournemouth and Barnstaple. The distance is around 185km (115 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Bournemouth to Barnstaple is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 5m and will usually cost around £115 ($135).

How do I get from Bournemouth to Barnstaple

Compare travel optionsbetween Bournemouth and Barnstaple

Transport options from Bournemouth to Barnstaple
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
4h 5m
£115($135)
every 3 hours404km (251 miles)
Bus
5h 55m
£21($25)
5 times a week292km (181 miles)
Drive
2h 25m
£32($38)
on demand185km (115 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Bournemouth and Barnstaple

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Barnstaple

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

EXT
Exeter Airport (EXT)
International Airport
Distance
60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple
CWL
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Barnstaple
NQY
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
97km (60 miles) from Barnstaple