Travel Information

This page provides brief guidance on how to get to Bournemouth from major UK airports and international travel links local to Bournemouth.

Heathrow Airport

The easiest way to reach Bournemouth from Heathrow airport without any changes is by coach. National Express operates a frequent and direct service to Bournemouth. The journey takes approximately 2 hours from Heathrow central bus station, depending on traffic.

Heathrow central bus station is between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. It is a few minutes' walk from the terminals via underground walkways. The bus station is open 24 hours a day, and the travel centre opens from 06:00 to 22:30. Coaches also call at Terminals 4 and 5, a short walk from check-in and arrivals. Tickets can be bought from the travel centre at Heathrow central bus station or booked in advance with the operator.

There are no direct trains to Bournemouth from Heathrow airport. If travelling by train, South West trains operates a service with one change at Woking. For more information visit the National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.

For more information about Heathrow, please see the official airport website.

Gatwick Airport

Bournemouth can be reached from Gatwick airport in less than 3 hours by train, changing once at Havant. The train station is at the South terminal. For more information visit the National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.

National Express offers a regular coach service to Bournemouth which takes approximately 3.5 hours with occasionally one transfer at Heathrow airport or London. The bus station at Gatwick airport is positioned directly beneath the South Terminal.

Please see the National Express website for fares, tickets and timetables.

For more information about Gatwick, please see the official airport website.

Stansted Airport

Train services between Standsted Airport and Bournemouth can take between 3.5 and 4 hours with changes in London and Reading. Stansted Airport rail station is directly below the terminal building. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the station. For more information visit the National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.

Stansted Airport's bus and coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance. Coach tickets can be bought at the ticket desk in arrivals (open 06:00 to 01:00), in the coach station (24 hours, seven days a week) or on board.

There are no direct coach services between Stansted and Bournemouth, but you can take a coach or train to London and continue your journey to Bournemouth from there. Stansted Express offers a fast and convenient service between the airport and London Liverpool Street every 15 minutes with a journey time of 45 minutes.

For more information about Stansted, please see the official airport website.

Luton Airport

Taking the train from Luton airport to Bournemouth takes approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. First Capital Connect offer a service to London Bridge station with a short train ride to Waterloo station with South Eastern Trains then transfer to Bournemouth on South West Trains. Luton airport train station is a short bus ride from the airport. Buses are situated directly outside the terminal building at the main exit. For more information visit the National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.

When travelling by coach, National Express offers a regular service to Bournemouth with one change in London or Heathrow airport. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Buses are situated directly outside the terminal building at the main exit. Please see the National Express website for fares, tickets and timetables. It is advisable to book tickets before travelling.

For more information about Luton, please see the official airport website.

St. Pancras International

To get to Bournemouth form St Pancras station, take the metro (tube) to London Waterloo station (the best route is the Victoria Line changing at Green Park onto the Jubilee Line) where South West Trains run a frequent train service to Bournemouth. For more information visit the Transport for London website and National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.

London to Bournemouth

Direct trains run from London Waterloo. The journey time is about 2 hours. Please see the National Rail website for fares, tickets and timetables.

National Express operates a direct service to Bournemouth from Victoria Coach station. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Local Travel Links to Bournemouth

Bournemouth Airport

Bournemouth airport is situated on the outskirts of the town with routes from Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Italy as well as many other European countries. A bus service, Bournemouth Airport Shuttle, offers a regular service to the Bournemouth Travel Interchange in the town centre. The journey time is approximately 15 min.

For more information about Bournemouth Airport, please see the official airport website.

Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport is 45 minutes away from Bournemouth and has amongst its routes Germany, France, Spain and Austria. A regular direct train services runs from Southampton Airport to Bournemouth. Please see the National Rail website for fares, tickets and timetables.

For more information about Southampton Airport, please see the official airport website.

Ferry

Poole Port has a ferry service from France. The port is approximately 15 minutes from Bournemouth town centre. Please see Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries websites for times, fares, tickets and information.