Train and bus options available to travelling to Windsor from central London
Travelling to Windsor from Central London is an easy and uncomplicated trip that any visitor can manage. While most people opt for the train to reach Windsor, there are other options available that may be more convenient based on your location in London.
Windsor is also close to Heathrow Airport and there is a choice of local buses that ply between Heathrow and Windsor and Eton.
Note: You cannot use London transport passes including Oyster and Travelcard to Windsor. However the London Pass has a special feature that that permits train travel from London to Windsor.
The primary choices for solo travellers heading to Windsor include:
– Train from Paddington – the fastest and most popular route.
– Train from Waterloo – takes a more southerly route than the Paddington train, slightly slower.
– Green Line Bus from Victoria – slower and cheaper than the train, passing many hotels in the Kensington area on the way. Also visits Legoland Windsor.
– Local Buses from Heathrow – three local bus routes go frequently between Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and Windsor or Eton.
London Paddington to Windsor Central Train via Slough
Windsor features two railway stations, and offers a choice of routes.
The quickest route departs from Paddington Station in London and terminates at Windsor Central. Alternatively, you can take a train from Waterloo Station in London that concludes its journey at Windsor Riverside Station.
The Paddington train necessitates a transfer at Slough, where you can board a branch line train to Windsor. Even so, it is a bit quicker than the Waterloo train. However, if your accommodation is near Waterloo, the Waterloo train is likely the most convenient option for you.
The London Waterloo service terminates at Windsor’s Riverside station, located at the foot of the hill from Windsor Castle, just a short 5-minute walk away. On the other hand, Windsor Central station is directly across from Windsor Castle, so when you leave the station, you’ll see it right in front of you.
You don’t have to make advance reservations for trains traveling from London to Windsor. You can find current fares and schedules by using the ‘Trainline’ link at the foot of the page. These trains primarily serve commuters, so there is no reserved seating, and your ticket isn’t tied to a specific train schedule.
Trains operate with good frequency and run late into the evening.
London Waterloo to Windsor riverside train
South West Trains run the alternative train service from London Waterloo terminating at Windsor Riverside Station. If you are staying in the County Hall or Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square area you may find this more convenient. Waterloo Station being very walkable from these hotel areas.
You can also catch the train at Clapham Junction station, which is accessible via trains from Victoria, Vauxhall, and Richmond Underground Stations.
Windsor Riverside station itself is just a short 5 minute walk up a slight gradient to Windsor Castle and is located via the bridge across to Eton.
You can purchase a combined ticket that saves you money on entrance to Windsor Castle from South West Trains.
You do not have to travel from just Waterloo either. Just add the combined ticket price of Windsor Castle admission to the cost of your rail ticket to Windsor & Eton Riverside or Windsor & Eton Central. You can make further savings by buying off-peak and family fares.
Windsor & LEGOLAND® Green Line Bus from London
Although most independent visitors to Windsor from London will take one of the two train lines from London to Windsor, road based bus is an option. The service may be of particular interest to those with a hotel in the Victoria or Kensington High Street area through which the bus passes.
The Green Line Bus leaves from London Victoria and travels out of the city via the M4 motorway, passing by Heathrow Airport, which is not a scheduled stop along the way.
The Green Line Bus ends its route well past Windsor, and most buses departing from London will be marked for Bracknell.
You can’t miss the Windsor Castle stop though as it is located right at the entrance of the Castle.
After visiting Windsor the Green Line Bus service continues its journey stopping at the LEGOLAND theme park, a little further on from Windsor. This is the only direct transport from Central London to Legoland itself.
The Victoria terminus is situated at the Green Line Bus Station, rather than the bus station located in front of the railway station for the red London buses. To reach the Green Line Coach Station, simply walk for about 5 minutes down Buckingham Palace Road, which runs alongside Victoria Rail Station.
As the majority of travellers will be heading to LEGOLAND in the morning, this is considered peak time, resulting in higher fares (though they still offer great value). However, prices drop significantly after 12pm.
For visitors with families a Group Day Return is available, for either two adults and two children or one adult and three children.
Local buses between Heathrow & Windsor via Runnymede
Buses travelling direct to Windsor from Heathrow depart from Terminal 5 which is situated on the western side of the airport and is the nearest terminal to Windsor.
The buses also pass a few Heathrow Hotels on the way so you can see Windsor as part of a stopover at Heathrow. Most Heathrow hotels have a Hoppa Bus to Terminal 5 running frequently through the day and if your hotel is on the Bath Road there are free public buses. The Piccadilly Line of the London Underground terminates at Terminal 5 as does the Heathrow Express train from London’s Paddington Station.
You can use the Heathrow Express free between Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal 5 and there are free buses between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 too.
There are luggage storage facilities in each of the terminals at Heathrow, but they are not cheap.
Note: The number 7 bus (the pink line on the map) no longer goes to Windsor but stops at Slough.
The 8 and 2 buses stop right outside Windsor Castle, but they do not terminate there. The 8 bus although taking slightly longer takes a more scenic route and approaches Windsor from the south stopping in Old Windsor. You can use the 8 bus to visit Runnymede, where the signing of the Magna Carta took place, and also the popular Windsor Farm Shop. For the Magna Carta get off at the Bells of Ouzely pub at the south end of Old Windsor.
Private transport to/from Windsor from London & Heathrow
Below is a ‘toolkit’ of prices where you can work out how much a personalised Windsor private transport will cost. Below that are some examples.
All prices include taxes, but do not include admissions to attractions. The standard stopover is for a driver who will drop you off in front of Windsor Castle, in the centre of Windsor itself. If you would like a guide whilst in Windsor we can quote for a fully guided tour too.
Pricing Toolkit for Stopover Visit to Windsor / Legoland / Stonehenge (price per vehicle)
| No of people | 1-3 | 4-8 | 9-16 |
| Max cases | 3 | 8 | 16-22 |
| Vehicle | E Class Mercedes | Mercedes Van | Small Bus |
| Airport Components | |||
| Meet & Greet In Airport | £12 | £12 | £12 |
| Windsor Components | |||
| Luggage Storage Per Vehicle | £20 | £20 | £20 |
| Heathrow – Windsor (15 mins) | £30 | £50 | £75 |
| London Hotel – Windsor | £65 | £95 | £150 / £200 |
| London Hotel – Heathrow | £60 | £90 | £150 / £200 |
| Gatwick – Windsor (60 mins) | £90 | £120 | £190 / £220 |
| Stonehenge Components (assumes up to 2 hour visit to Stonehenge with waiting time) | |||
| Heathrow – Stonehenge (75 mins) | £90 | £115 | £185 / £220 |
| Gatwick – Stonehenge (105 mins) | £115 | £145 | £225 / £260 |
| Windsor – Stonehenge (75 mins) | £90 | £115 | £185 / £220 |
Prices above are for vehicle, driver and include taxes. They do not include any admission charges at attractions.
Stonehenge prices include 2 hours at Stonehenge. At Windsor you have unlimited time for the same fee.
Example Prices (Per Vehicle Using A Mercedes E Class Car)
| Meet Flight at Heathrow, visit Windsor, no luggage, return to Heathrow Terminal | Pickup London Hotel, visit Windsor, luggage storage, return to Heathrow Terminal | Meet Flight Gatwick, visit Windsor, luggage storage, return to Heathrow Hotel |
| Meet & Greet Heathrow – £12 | London to Windsor – £65 | Meet & Greet Gatwick – £12 |
| Heathrow to Windsor – £30 | Luggage Storage Windsor – £20 | Gatwick to Windsor – £90 |
| Windsor to Heathrow – £30 | Windsor to Heathrow – £30 | Luggage Storage Windsor – £20 |
| Windsor to Heathrow – £30 | ||
| Total Cost – £72 | Total Cost – £115 | Total Cost – £152 |
Full Size Touring Coaches for Large Groups
If you have a large group then that is not a problem.
The biggest coaches we offer can accommodate 50 passengers, but we also have access to smaller vehicles that hold half that number.
When traveling with large groups, it’s essential to consider that if each passenger is bringing multiple large suitcases along with a smaller carry-on, the vehicle’s luggage capacity may be more critical than the number of passengers. This means that assessing the total amount of luggage is just as vital as counting the number of people in your group when determining the appropriate vehicle size needed for your trip.
Therefore, before making arrangements, take the time to estimate the luggage each person will bring. This will help ensure that you choose a vehicle that can comfortably accommodate everyone and their belongings, making for a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.
Train Tickets
Book in advance and save money on your train journey
Features:
- UK buses
- Eurostar
- Virgin trains