Stonehenge is one of the most popular sites in the world to visit, but being out in the countryside of England it’s not one of the easiest places to get to without some prior knowledge and planning. It’s unfortunately not quite as simple as walking up to a bus stop in London and getting on one to Stonehenge – I wish!
I’ve visited Stonehenge many times and written about it a lot on this blog. I love it that much! Since I get asked a lot about the best ways to get from London to Stonehenge I figured it warranted its own article.
If you’re already convinced you want to visit Stonehenge from London and just need the information on getting there from the city then this article is for you.
Our Top Pick
Cheapest day trip to Stonehenge from London:
If you’re just wanting to get to Stonehenge from London the cheapest and easiest way then this half day trip runs daily and includes your entrance fee
How easy is it to get from London to Stonehenge
Stonehenge is less than 100 miles from the centre of London so although it seems like it’s a world away from the big city, it’s really doable for anyone who wants to make the trip.
Since Stonehenge is in the Wiltshire countryside the easiest and quickest way is always going to involve a car. If you don’t have your own transport, or don’t fancy tackling the British roads there are options for a trip to Stonehenge from London that are available to you as well.
Is Stonehenge worth the trip from London
I’ve always been adamant that Stonehenge is somewhere that is definitely worth a visit.
Now, if the question is whether it’s worth taking out some time from your London vacation then only you know the answer to that. I’m going to answer the question assuming you’re an overseas visitor and perhaps have only a small amount of time in the UK.
If you take a day trip to explore Stonehenge from London it will give you such a different perspective of England that you won’t get if you restrict yourself to just visiting the cities. You’ll travel through the countryside, no matter which option you go for, and get a taste of rural England.
The site of Stonehenge is really magical and no amount of pictures you see can really prepare you for how small you feel standing in the shadow of these giant stones.
Yes, I think you can say it’s worth it
Can you do Stonehenge in a day trip from London?
Yes, Stonehenge is easily done in a day trip from London, especially if you start your trip early. If you have any time to spare I definitely recommend perhaps staying over in the area and exploring some of the other attractions near Stonehenge too.
How to get to Stonehenge from London by car – the easiest option
If you have a car, or rent one for your UK vacation, then the easiest option is probably going to be to simply drive to Stonehenge. It’s just under 2 hours to drive from the centre of London so it might be slightly more or less depending on where you’re based around the city.
If you are driving then once you’re out of London it’s a simple motorway journey along the M3 and then onto the A303. All of these are major roads so you shouldn’t find driving difficult. Parking is plentiful at Stonehenge and free if you’re buying tickets.
The benefit with driving is that you are free to stop and see other sights nearby and really make the most of the day on your own schedule. You could even check out Stonehenge for free if you were on a budget.
You could also get a private taxi/shuttle to Stonehenge – they do come at a price but if you value your private time then it could be a great way to see the stones. Check out Viator for some options.
If travelling to Stonehenge from London yourself you’ll also need to arrange an admission ticket – you can get them here.
UK visitors might want to consider English Heritage membership – well worth it if you might go to other heritage sites and your Stonehenge visit will be free – join here.
Overseas visitors can get a pass that covers Stonehenge and some other sites too that might work well and save you some money – check it out here.
Stonehenge Tours from London – the cheapest way?
The next easiest way, although not particularly everyone’s style of travelling, is an organised tour. Many tours to Stonehenge from London are available and if you wanted you could also add in visits to other popular attractions too.
Even if you’re on a budget it’s worth considering these London to Stonehenge tours as many can be as cost effective as doing the trip yourself and of course you lose any of the headaches of having to arrange it too.
The simplest option is to do a Half Day tour from London. This is cheaper than doing it by train unless you book trains well in advance when you might get discounts. The downside is that it simply takes you there and back you can’t take advantage of any nearby attractions.
Thankfully you actually have more options if you want to see other nearby locations – How about taking in Windsor Castle? The wonderful Georgian architecture (and Bridgerton locations) of Bath or maybe you’d like to explore Avebury, another ancient site in England?
Day Trips and Tours to consider from London
One other thing that makes tours an attractive option is that you can often get special Stonehenge inner circle access tours from London that allow you to get closer to the stones, something you can’t do normally. Check this option out.
How to get from London to Stonehenge by train
Getting to Stonehenge by train from London is the easiest public transport option but you’ll have to change in Salisbury and get a bus to finally reach the stones.
The best train to get is the Great Western Railway from Waterloo Train Station to Salisbury which takes 1 hour and 30 mins. There are several trains a day.
I recommend choosing an Anytime Return ticket which costs around £50. This will allow you to travel on any train in the day and means that you are flexible in your return times.
If you want to save some money you can get advance tickets or off peak returns but they generally are only for a specific train time and can restrict your day.
Tickets are easiest to check and get on Trainline.com – I use this site regularly and can recommend it.
The price for getting to Stonehenge by train from London is around £66:
Train – £50.00
Bus – £16.00 for the bus only or £33 including Stonehenge Admission
Example trip
This is very relaxed day trip by train allowing 4 hours at Stonehenge which should be plenty and also having 4 hours in Salisbury too. You might not need as long to explore:
Departure
8.20am Leave London Waterloo
9.50am Arrive in Salisbury
10.00am Take ‘Stonehenge Tour’ bus
10.40am Arrive at Stonehenge
Return
2.43pm Bus to Salisbury
3.15pm Salisbury
Explore Salisbury and have a meal there perhaps before getting a train back to Waterloo
7.21pm Train to Waterloo
9.00pm Arrive in London Waterloo
These times were accurate as at 2022 – please do check in advance as trains and bus schedules change
How to get to Stonehenge from London by bus
Finally we’re looking at getting there by bus. This is most definitely not an easy or quick option however I’m including it here so you can see the different method.
Unfortunately there are no buses that go direct from London to Salisbury, the nearest city. You’ll need to get a bus to Bournemouth (National Express) and then get a bus from there to Salisbury (X3 – morebus). Then from Salisbury you can get the Stonehenge Tour bus to the stones.
It takes around 4 hours by bus so while doable it’s not really a method I’d recommend to anyone wishing to do a day trip.
The price for getting to Stonehenge by bus from London is around £56:
National Express ticket – £30 approx
Local bus ticket – £9.20
Stonehenge Tour bus – £16
More FAQs about visiting Stonehenge from London
How far is Stonehenge from London
Stonehenge is around 90 miles away from the centre of London city. It takes around 2-3 hours to get there by car or by train.
How do you get to Stonehenge from London
There are many ways to get to Stonehenge from London. The easiest options are car if you have one or going on an organised tour.
How much does it cost to visit Stonehenge
Stonehenge costs around £26.30 to visit at peak times. It can vary depending on the time of year you visit and what days of the week.
Does the tube go to Stonehenge?
No. Stonehenge is around 90 miles outside of London so the underground network doesn’t go there.
You can take a train to the nearby city of Salisbury and then get a bus to the stones if you wish to use public transport.
Can Stonehenge be a day trip from London?
Yes – it’s not too far and can make a great day out from the city of London.
There are many companies who offer tours to Stonehenge from London as a day trip – some will add in other English sites to visit such as Bath or Windsor Castle.
What is the closest train station to Stonehenge?
The nearest train station to the Stonehenge area is Salisbury.
🇬🇧💂♀️ London Travel FAQ 💂♀️🇬🇧
Do I need insurance for traveling to London?
YES! I always recommend people take travel insurance when exploring the world!
Check Travel Insurance Master for quote comparisons from different providers.
Do I need a car for visiting London?
NO – If you’re just visiting London then a car is not recommended and can be more of a hindrance than a help.
If you plan to explore more of the UK then I recommend DiscoverCars to compare car rental prices
How to book accommodation in London?
For hotels I recommend Booking.com
For apartments and cottages check out VRBO
Will my phone work in London?
Perhaps – it depends if you have roaming enabled and beware this can be an expensive way to use your phone.
If you need a SIM for use in the UK I recommend GiffGaff which you can get and set up before traveling.
What’s the best guidebook for London?
I really like the Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Where to get flights for London
Expedia is my first port of call for finding cheap flights to London.
Do I need a visa for London?
Many countries don’t need a visa for visiting England as tourists (USA, Canada, Aus, NZ and Europe) – it’s always best to check first though.
