How to travel from Cambridge to Barnstaple, United Kingdom

The distance between Cambridge and Barnstaple is around 400km (248 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 25m.

4 routes found

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

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

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3 x train
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Train

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

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £105($125)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2
plane
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train
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train
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Plane and Train

Fly from London Stansted (STN) to Bristol (BRS) then take the train to Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple.

  • Duration5h 20m
  • Flight time2h 30m
  • Typical cost
    £205($240)
Operated by

Multiple operators

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Brunel Street and then to Barnstaple Bus Station.

  • Duration7h 20m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £33($39)
🚀 Fastest
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Barnstaple.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Distance400km (248 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cambridge and Barnstaple

There are several options for getting from Cambridge to Barnstaple by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £33 ($39) and will take around 7h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £69 ($82).

The distance between Cambridge and Barnstaple is around 400km (248 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 314km (195 miles)

It takes around 4h 30m to get from Cambridge and Barnstaple by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cambridge to Barnstaple is to drive which takes around 4h 25m and will set you back approx £69 ($82).

The cheapest way to travel between Cambridge and Barnstaple, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £33 ($39) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cambridge and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 4h 30m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cambridge to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Farringdon, Paddington Station and Exeter St Davids. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 30m.

Thameslink and Great Western Railway run train services between Cambridge and Barnstaple. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 30m, 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 Cambridge and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 7h 20m and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cambridge to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Brunel Street. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 7h 20m.

Megabus UK run regular bus services between Cambridge and Barnstaple. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 7h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cambridge to Barnstaple. We recommend that you fly from London Stansted (STN) to Bristol (BRS) then take the train to Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple. instead which will take 5h 20m.

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 Cambridge and Barnstaple. The distance is around 400km (248 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cambridge to Barnstaple is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 30m and will usually cost around £105 ($125).

How do I get from Cambridge to Barnstaple

Compare travel optionsbetween Cambridge and Barnstaple

Transport options from Cambridge to Barnstaple
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
4h 30m
£105($125)
hourly440km (274 miles)
Plane and Train
5h 20m
£205($240)
hourly1,254km (779 miles)
Bus
7h 20m
£33($39)
4 times a week464km (288 miles)
Drive
4h 25m
£69($82)
on demand400km (248 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cambridge and Barnstaple

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