How to get to The Cotswolds from London (Updated 2024)

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Lauren Allen

Wondering how to get to The Cotswolds from London? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, I’ll take you through the best routes and transportation options to help you reach this enchanting area of England with ease. You’ll discover the most convenient way to get to The Cotswolds as well as alternative methods if public transport is your only option. 

As one of the top tourist hotspots in the United Kingdom, many travellers visit The Cotswolds from London each year. The idyllic charm of the Cotswolds countryside drives in thousands of visitors on the hunt for a quintessential English getaway. With so many beautiful spots to explore, spending a few days in The Cotswolds is bound to leave you in awe. 

There are a number of ways to get to this area of outstanding natural beauty from the capital. How you decide to get there will depend on personal preference and whether or not you can drive. Your options will also vary depending on where exactly you want to travel to. Here’s how to get to The Cotswolds from London…

How far is The Cotswolds from London? 

The Cotswolds span an area of around 800 miles. As such, the distance from London to The Cotswolds varies greatly depending on where exactly you’re travelling to.

However, the shortest distance between London and The Cotswolds is approximately 100 miles. This is between the English capital and the Cotswolds town of Charlbury. 

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How to get to The Cotswolds from London

There are a number of ways to get to The Cotswolds from London. For example, you can opt to travel by car, train, coach or bus. Alternatively, if you’re on a solo adventure and fancy meeting up with some like-minded individuals, you may want to join a guided tour.

Let’s delve deeper into your options to help you decide which one is best for you;

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Travel from London to The Cotswolds by car

If you are able to drive, this is by far the most convenient way to travel from London to The Cotswolds. The journey takes around two hours. However, this varies based on traffic and which villages you are hoping to explore.

Making the journey by car makes it super easy as you can travel between towns and villages in The Cotswolds at your own pace. This means you can visit popular locations early in the morning as you won’t need to rely on public transport. That way, you are more likely to beat the crowds. This is ideal if (like me) you like to get some people-free snaps for your Instagram feed!

How far is The Cotswolds from London by car?

The journey duration from London to The Cotswolds varies. However, on average, this is how long it takes to get to the most popular locations:

Bibury: 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Castle Combe: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Burford: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Bourton on the Water: 2 hours.
Stow on the Wold: 2 hours.
Cirencester: 2 hours.
Broadway: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Painswick: 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Please note: These journey lengths could vary widely depending on traffic or diversions. Always check your route ahead of travelling.

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London to Cotswolds public transport 

If you don’t drive, don’t fret! It’s still possible to travel to The Cotswolds via public transport. However, options are more limited and you’ll be more constrained to a set schedule. 

If you’re travelling without a car, you’ll need to plan ahead of time to avoid missing trains and buses. You may also need to rely on taxi services if public transport links are limited. However, after exploring the beauty of The Cotswolds myself, it’s well worth visiting despite the less-than-ideal transport network. 

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Trains to The Cotswolds from London

Cotswolds train station map

With 11 train stations located in or around the region, there are a number of options when it comes to catching a London to Cotswolds train. Using the map below, you can figure out which train station is best to travel to based on where you want to go in The Cotswolds. 

How far is Cotswolds from London by train?

The distance between London and The Cotswolds by train varies massively. It depends on where you’re travelling from in London and which Cotswolds village you are travelling to. 

London to Cotswolds train time 

Similarly to distance, London to Cotswolds train times vary depending on your chosen destination.

London to Cotswolds train price 

In addition to the variation in distance and journey duration, the cost of getting to The Cotswolds by train from also varies. It depends on your journey length and whether you want to travel in a standard carriage or first class.

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Train from London to Bibury

Although there isn’t a London to Bibury train, you can opt to catch the train from London Paddington to Kemble. This route runs once an hour and takes around 75 minutes. From Kemble, book a taxi to Bibury. After around 25 minutes, you could be strolling down Arlington Row or checking out Bibury trout farm. Easy peasy!

London to Castle Combe train

Alternatively, if you are hoping to visit the world-famous village of Castle Combe, there are frequent train services running to Chippenham from London Paddington each day.

After a 70-minute train ride, you can catch the number 95 bus from Chippenham train station into the village. This journey takes 20 minutes. However, the route is quite limited which means you’ll need to plan ahead or opt to catch a taxi instead. 

London to Burford by train 

Another one of the most popular places to visit in The Cotswolds is Burford. The nearest train station to Burford is located in Shipton.

Although it is possible to travel to Shipton from London via public transport, services are limited to 3-4 trains a day. However, this won’t be an issue if you are flexible with your schedule.

Once you get to Shipton, it takes just 15 minutes by car to get to Burford. All you need to do is hop in a taxi! 

London to Bourton on the Water by train

The closest train station to Bourton on the Water is in Moreton-in-Marsh. Services run hourly between this station and London Paddington. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes. Upon arrival, you can jump in a taxi to Bourton on the Water which takes just 15 minutes.

London to Stow on the Wold

The closest train station to Stow on the Wold is in Kingham. Conveniently, this is one of the fastest routes from London to The Cotswolds. With trains running every hour, the journey takes just 80 minutes making it pretty simple to travel to this area of outstanding natural beauty. 

Upon arrival in Kingham, you can jump on the number 802 bus to The Bell Inn in Stow on the Wold. However, this bus route has a limited service so if you’re arriving in between buses, you’ll need to catch a taxi into town (or walk for almost two hours).

Train from London to Painswick 

The closest train station to Painswick is Stroud. Trains run hourly from London Paddington to Stroud and the journey lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Getting to Painswick from Stroud train station is pretty simple. All you need to do is jump in a taxi for 10 minutes or catch a 20-minute bus (number 166 or 66 Gold to St Mary’s Church or Pullens Road).

However, this bus only runs every hour at around half past. This means that if you’ve caught the train, you’ll typically need to wait around for half an hour or so. While this option is a little cheaper, it’s not exactly the most convenient. See what I mean about public transport in The Cotswolds? 

London to Chipping Campden by train 

Travelling to Chipping Campden via public transport from London is pretty simple. You’ll start off by catching the train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh. This service runs every hour and takes around 90 minutes. 

Upon arrival in Moreton-in-Marsh, catch the bus (numbers 1 or 2) towards Stratford Upon Avon. After around 30 minutes, you’ll jump off the bus at the town hall in Chipping Campden. Alternatively, book a 15-minute taxi to get there quicker (and easier). 

London to Broadway, Cotswolds

The easiest way to get from London to Broadway Village is to catch a train from the capital to Honeybourne. This route takes approximately 90 minutes and runs every 1-2 hours. 

Once you get to Honeybourne, you’ll want to grab a taxi to take you to Broadway which takes just 15 minutes. Although there are buses available to get to Broadway, they don’t run very often and it takes much longer. 

A quick note: Want to visit some of the less popular villages? Ensure you check ahead of time what the local transport links are like!

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Coach trips to The Cotswolds 

Alternatively, National Express runs coaches from London to The Cotswolds. Routes run from the London Victoria coach station to Cirencester and Cheltenham. These services run several times a day making it a great alternative to driving if you don’t have that option. Plus, the cost of tickets is pretty reasonable at £8 – £17 for a one-way ticket. 

Both Cirencester and Cheltenham make great bases for exploring more of The Cotswolds. Their central locations make it easier to check out the likes of Bibury, Bourton on the Water and Stoud. 

Is National Express good?

Travelling around the UK has been made super easy thanks to the railway system and coach networks. From personal experience, travelling by coach with National Express is a smooth and hassle-free experience (most of the time).

However, it’s worth noting that sometimes traffic and bad weather can cause delays. As a frequent National Express customer, that’s something I know all too well. 

Despite that, this popular UK coach company run services between many of the top destinations across Britain. This includes tourist hotspots such as London, Manchester and York. Their coaches typically have wifi, a toilet and plug sockets so you can keep your phone fully charged for entertainment purposes. Furthermore, their seats are pretty comfortable.

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Day trips to The Cotswolds

If you’d prefer for someone else to do all the hard work (you are on holiday after all), then a guided Cotswolds day tour may be your best option. Consider booking one of the following tours or day trips from London:

Cotswold day trips from London

Cotswolds day trip from London (with lunch)

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city on this London to Cotswolds day trip with Premium Tours. Explore some of the most popular villages in the area to get a real feel for The Cotswolds. 

You’ll start in the picturesque town of Burford, admiring some of the best Cotswolds views from the top of the high street. Next, you’ll grab lunch at The Swan Hotel in Bibury before admiring Arlington Row; one of the most beautiful streets in the region. 

In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the likes of Bouton on the Water and Stow on the Wold as you take in the serene English charm of The Cotswolds. 

This is quite a whistle-stop tour of The Cotswolds which makes it hard to delve deep into each village and check out some of the attractions. However, if this is your only chance to visit this part of England, then you should grab it with both hands! 

London to Cotswolds tour of Bourton on the Water and Burford

If you fancy exploring fewer towns more in-depth, this is the Cotswolds tour for you! Although you won’t see as much as the previous tour offers, you’ll have the chance to visit some of the top attractions in The Cotswolds during your free time. 

You can opt to visit art galleries, museums and independent stores. Alternatively, you might prefer a relaxing stroll to take in the views and vibes of The Cotswolds countryside. The choice is yours! 

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Using Cotswolds taxis to get around 

Whilst it’s relatively easy to get to some Cotswolds villages from London, getting between Cotswolds hotspots can be a bit more difficult. This is especially true if you are relying on public transport. As another option, you can book a taxi. However, these should be booked in advance for the best price. Some taxi companies that offer transport around The Cotswolds include:

North Cotswold Taxi’s

North Cotswold Taxies is a family-run company that is happy to transport you from A to B. If you’d prefer the added convenience, they also run full tours of The Cotswolds. These tours are private and tailored entirely to your interests.

Furthermore, they’re happy to help for as long as you require. For example, they can take you on a half-day trip through this area of outstanding beauty or a multi-day adventure. The choice is yours!

Prices start from £375 for a private vehicle that holds up to 7 people. Whilst that isn’t cheap, the cost isn’t too bad when split between a group of friends. Also, you get what you pay for as North Cotswold’s Taxis offer a wealth of knowledge about the area offering everything you need for a comfortable journey.

Smart Taxi Cirencester

Smart Taxi Cirencester is another option to consider when thinking about how to get around in The Cotswolds. Their taxi service boasts 5 stars on Google reviews.

A2B Cotswolds Travel

Lastly, you could also book your journeys with A2B Cotswolds Travel. Like other taxi services in the area, they offer transportation between popular locations in addition to tours. They’re also well-rated amongst customers. This means you can trust them to offer a smooth service as you adventure around The Cotswolds!

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Cotswolds travel guide (AKA things to know before your visit)

Now you know how to get to The Cotswolds from London, there are a number of things you need to be aware of before your trip. After all, you want to make the most of your journey through the beautiful English countryside! Here are my top tips for visiting The Cotswolds: 

Get up early

Firstly, I know this is a tough one. In fact, I am really NOT a morning person. However, if you only have one day in The Cotswolds, you don’t really have a choice.

By waking up early and heading out as soon as possible, you can maximize your time in this incredible part of England. When you’re strolling down Arlington Row in Bibury or eating breakfast at The Manor House in Castle Combe, you won’t regret your early wake-up call. Trust me!

Pack your camera

Obviously. The Cotswolds are bursting with stunning views, picturesque homes and English charm. Around each corner, you’ll find photo opportunities galore! By packing your camera (or phone) you can get as many snaps as you wish to look back on for years to come. 

To avoid any nasty surprises, make sure you fully charge your device before you head out on your adventure and carry a battery pack if you can. If you’re anything like me, you’ll need one! 

Wear comfy shoes

Next, The Cotswolds boast some of the most scenic walks in England. If you’re considering a hike, you’ll need to wear suitable footwear. In fact, you’ll be doing a lot of walking regardless of if you hike or not. With so many beautiful spots to explore, you are bound to cover a lot of ground in The Cotswolds. To ensure you’re comfortable, wear flat shoes or trainers (not heeled boots like I did, oops).

Book in advance

At the peak of Summer (between June and September), The Cotswolds can get overrun with tourists. As such, a lot of the best restaurants and activities can end up fully booked. To avoid missing out, make sure you book things in advance.

Stay overnight

Lastly, you should consider staying overnight in The Cotswolds. Even if it’s just for one night. It will give you the opportunity to check out some more lovely villages without the crowds. Furthermore, it would also mean not rushing your way through your “must-see” list in just a day.

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FAQs about visiting The Cotswolds from London 

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Conclusion 

Escaping the chaotic streets of London for the narrow country lanes of the Cotswolds promises unique travel memories that will stay with you for life. 

Whether you choose to travel by car, coach, train or on a guided tour, there’s an option for every type of traveller! 

I hope this post has helped you plan how to get from London to The Cotswolds. If I’ve missed anything, please feel free to share your tips in the comments below!

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