How to get to Stonehenge from London – tours compared with public transport
Visitors can find the world famous Stonehenge situated around 90 miles west from central London, which is well within a comfortable day trip.
Tours going to Stonehenge from London spoil you for choice, with a comfortable two-hour bus ride away and a guide to point out sites of interest.
If you wish to travel independently, there are trains running direct from Waterloo to Salisbury, the nearest town with a railway station to Stonehenge, nine miles to the south.
From here you catch the Stonehenge tour bus, an independent bus service running directly to the Visitor Centre. There is no public bus service running to Stonehenge.
Tours that take your Stonehenge experience further…
If you have a real interest in Stonehenge, Salisbury is the best place to get a specialist Stonehenge guide.
A private walking tour of Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape offers a deeper understanding of the site, highlighting important features such as Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, where the latest archaeological findings have been uncovered.
About 24 miles north of Stonehenge is Avebury, another World Heritage Site with even larger stone rings to Stonehenge and unlike Stonehenge, has free access to the stones.
Visit our Avebury and Stonehenge day tour from London.
How to get to Stonehenge from London – a tour or public transport
Visiting Stonehenge from London doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all best option. That said, taking a tour tends to be a more economical and quicker way to experience Stonehenge compared to going on your own. For the majority of travellers, opting for a tour bus is the perfect choice.
Independent travel
Some travellers find that coach tours don’t suit their style and instead enjoy the freedom of exploring on their own terms. Furthermore, appreciating the ability to take their time, reflect, and create their own itinerary. However, it’s important to note that when visiting Stonehenge, this added flexibility comes at a higher cost compared to a guided tour.
Independently from London you take the train from London’s Waterloo Station to Salisbury, nine miles from Stonehenge. From there you need to take the Stonehenge tour bus which takes you directly from Salisbury to Stonehenge Visitor Centre. There are no public buses to Stonehenge itself. See below for more details.
Private tour
For those truly fascinated by Stonehenge or seeking the best possible experience, a private guided tour that explores the surrounding landscape is a must. You can find this option at a reasonable price by hiring a local guide from Salisbury.
Stonehenge tours from London
There are numerous tours to Stonehenge from London available every day. Some of these tours focus solely on Stonehenge, taking you there and back to London. This option is the most budget-friendly way to experience Stonehenge from the city.
However, traveling takes up most of the day. You’ll spend two hours on the coach each way, leaving you with just two hours to explore Stonehenge.
Combine tours
The vast majority of people make a day of it, combining Stonehenge with one or two other attractions, and two day tours are increasingly popular, with an overnight stay included.
The most popular tours that include Stonehenge are the Stonehenge and Bath and Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle tours, but there are many others.
Visit our Stonehenge tours from London page to see a full list of tours from London.
Stonehenge from London by public transport via Salisbury
Travelling independently and using public transport to get to Stonehenge you need to get to Salisbury, the closest town of any size that has a railway station with frequent schedules to London. Trains run from London Waterloo direct to Salisbury, every thirty minutes from 6.30am and the fastest train takes 1 hour 22 minutes.
Salisbury is well worth a minimum half day’s visit in its own right and combined with a visit to Stonehenge makes an excellent day out.
A dedicated Stonehenge hop on, hop off bus shuttles between Salisbury and Stonehenge with stops at other attractions in the area like Old Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral.
Local scheduled public transport does not provide buses to Stonehenge.
Unless you are a large group, Salisbury is also the place to travel to and get a local guide to give an enhanced visit to Stonehenge, visiting and experiencing aspects of Stonehenge very few visitors do.
How to visit Stonehenge via Salisbury from London
Stonehenge Special Access visits
During normal opening hours you cannot walk up to the stones themselves.
The nearest you will get to the stones is about 10 yards, and a low barrier ropes off the monument.
However it is possible to walk up to and among the stones at Stonehenge outside public opening hours. These are called Special Access visits (sometimes known as Inner Circle Access).
During these sessions of one hour duration, only 26 people are allowed onto Stonehenge going beyond the barriers and walking amongst the stones.
The fact that these Stonehenge Special Access visits are outside public opening hours mean that they are at dawn or evening. Given that Stonehenge is two hours’ drive from London, this obviously provides logistical issues in getting there.
The Special Access Visits are also immensely popular, demand far outstrips supply and they are often sold out months in advance.
We have dedicated pages for people independently wanting to partake in a Stonehenge Special Access visit and also a page on scheduled Stonehenge Special Access Tours from London.