Tips on the Top Ten Best Day Trips from London
How to Travel to Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Windsor and Other Advice
Nov 1, 2009
Many of England's most popular visitor attractions are easily reached on a day trip from London using pubic transport such as rail. Train and bus journeys bring cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury, and Winchester within easy reach, with even more remote sights such as Stonehenge being accessible by bus. Guided sightseeing tours are also widely available in London, of course, but for travelers who prefer to be independent, England's public transport network makes it all possible.
York is the furthest of the top ten sights recommended here, but even that is only about two hours on the train from London's Kings Cross station. Using rail and bus networks is also greener and more eco-friendly than driving by car. Some foreign visitors, especially from the USA, may be surprised to find the high price of gas in England, and also the often-high car parking charges in main visitor destinations.
Driving in London
Driving in and out of London can also be a gas-guzzling time-consuming nightmare at rush-hour periods. Overseas drivers also have to be aware of the Congestion Charge Zone, which operates in Central London Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm. Some car rental companies include the Congestion Charge in the cost of rental, but others do not and any driver accidentally driving into the zone without pre-paying will be subject to a penalty fee.
Best Day Trips from London by Bus and Train
Here are ten of the top day trips out of London for visitors. There are also some links to more travel information about them on Suite101.
Day Trip from London to Bath
Bath is about 90 minutes west of London by train, and these run frequently. Travel by bus takes over twice as long, with a less frequent service.
Link: Ten Budget Travel Tips when Visiting Bath
Day Trip from London to Brighton
Brighton is about an hour south of London by train, with a very frequent service, while the bus takes twice as long but only costs about half as much.
Day Trip from London to Cambridge
Cambridge is only 60 miles north of London and takes less than an hour by train, depending on the service. The bus takes twice as long, but can be half the price.
Link: Ten Best Things to Do in Cambridge
Day Trip from London to Canterbury
Canterbury with its fine cathedral is about two hours south-east of London by train and the rail journey takes about 90 minutes. The bus trip is only slightly longer, thanks to a fairly direct fast motorway link.
Day Trip from London to Oxford
For day visits to Oxford the bus is a good option, as there are several budget but very comfortable bus services available. Journey time is almost two hours, twice as long as the train, but prices are much cheaper.
Link: Ten Best Things to Do in Oxford
Day Trip from London to Stonehenge
Visiting Stonehenge from London is one option where an organised group coach tour, or driving, is better. Trains (90 minutes) and buses (3 hours) go to Salisbury, the nearest city, from where a local bus connects to Stonehenge. This makes for a long total journey time for a day visit to what is one of England's most essential sites.
Link: Stonehenge Visitor Guide
Day Trip from London to Stratford
Trains to Stratford-upon-Avon take about two hours, and leave about every two hours too. The bus takes slightly longer at 3 hours, but is about half the price.
Day Trip from London to Winchester
There are frequent trains from London to Winchester, taking about one hour. Buses take twice as long, and cost about half as mch.
Day Trip from London to Windsor
See Windsor Castle Tours and Transport from London for the several ways of visiting Windsor from London.
Day Trip from London to York
Although York is about 200 miles north of London, it only takes 2 hours by train on a fast line. Driving can take twice as long, while the bus takes at least 5 hours. To visit York in one day from London, take the train.
Link: Ten Best Things to Do in York
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
