Getting To Stratford & Warwick By Public Transport

Logistics of independently visiting Shakespeare's Stratford & Warwick

Stratford Upon Avon Railway Station
Stratford Upon Avon Railway Station

For those wanting to visit Stratford Upon Avon or Warwick from London it is quite possible to do a day trip using public transport.

Stratford Overview
Shakespeare's
Birthplace
New Place
Halls Croft
Anne Hathway's
Mary Ardens
Holy Trinity Church
RSC
 
Other Stratford
Getting To Stratford
Public Transport
Tours
Within An Hour
Warwick Castle
Oxford
Cotswolds

Rail would be public transport option of choice for either with trains from London's Marylebone Station.


It is also possible to do the trip using National Express buses from London Victoria, but for a day trip to Stratford this would involve 7 hours on the coach.


Warwick is the closest of the two, by about 45 minutes and has more frequent trains. Both stations at Warwick and Stratford Upon Avon are about 15 minutes walk from the main attractions.

London to Stratford & Warwick by Train

Direct trains to Stratford run from London's Marylebone station taking approximately 135 minutes to do the journey, a long time on the train for a day trip.

Trains to Warwick are much more frequent and take around 45 minutes less.

You can travel between Stratford and Warwick on the same line.

London - Stratford or Warwick Train Timetables & Fares

National Express Coaches To Stratford

The bus service between London and Stratford Upon Avon or Warwick start at London's Victoria Coach Station.

Bus is normally significantly cheaper and slower than the more popular rail service.


Both services take 3 hours plus and frequencies are just a few each day both ways, though technically its still possible to do a day trip.

National Express Tickets & Timetables


Regional Public Transport From Stratford

There is quite a good network of bus services radiating out from Stratford. For the visitor key routes are to Birmingham with connections all over the UK and beyond and regional Cotswold towns.

Day Tours From London to Stratford & Warwick Castle

There is a good choice of day tours that run daily from London visiting Stratford Upon Avon. You won't have time to have a thorough look at all the Shakespeare houses and attractions identified on this web site but for most people this is not required.


Most of the tours combine Stratford Upon Avon with the university city of Oxford. Some also visit Warwick Castle in a very busy day, while others spend more time in Stratford. It is also possible to get some tours that give you a glimpse of the Cotswolds, one of the most scenic areas of England besides Stratford.

Stratford & Warwick Castle Day Tours From London - More Details

Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

Like so many towns and cities with a lot of visitors, a hop on, hop off open top sightseeing bus operates in Stratford.


At Stratford its particularly useful as a couple of Shakespeare attractions, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House are well outside walking distance from the town centre.


The bus has ticketing options which includes admissions to the Shakespeare properties. The main starting point of the buses is by the bridge next to the main Tourist Information Centre. For independent visitors there is also a stop very close to the train station.


Frequencies are broadly every 30 minutes with increased frequencies, every 15/20 minutes at the peak times in summer and weekends. During the summer months live guides are available, at other times audio guides are provided (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, German and Kid's Commentary)


There are 12 stops including all 5 Shakespeare properties, Holy Trinity Church and the RSC theatres.

You can also purchase a ticket that combines the Ho Ho service with a river cruise on the River Avon.