How to Get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon by Train, Car & Coach
Looking for how to get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon? Here’s exactly how to travel from the capital to Shakespeare’s hometown, including the best train route, driving times, coach options and whether it’s worth visiting as a day trip from London.
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If you’re planning a trip from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, the good news is it’s absolutely doable—whether you’re going for the day, staying overnight, or adding it onto a longer UK itinerary.
Best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is one of England’s loveliest historic towns, with Tudor buildings, riverside walks, theatres, literary history and enough to fill a very charming day or weekend away.
Read More: Stratford-upon-Avon Itinerary: A Weekend in Shakespeare’s England
But first things first: how do you actually get there?
Stratford-upon-Avon sits in Warwickshire, around 100 miles northwest of London, and the easiest way to travel from London is usually by train from London Marylebone. You can also drive, take a coach, or visit as part of a guided day trip (i.e. the beautiful equivalent of a passenger princess) f you’d rather not plan the logistics yourself.
Shall we?
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Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
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Quick Answer: Best Way to Get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon
The easiest way to get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon is by train from London Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon. 🚂
But more on to get your tickets, the best train, and other options to consider (like by car or a tour) below!
London to Stratford-upon-Avon by Train
Your first best option for getting from London to Stratford-upon-Avon from London is undoubtedly by train.
Trains usually leave from London Marylebone Station and arrive at Stratford-upon-Avon station, in about 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Just keep in mind there’s almost always 1 change in the journey, but it’s super straightforward. Simply get off at Leamington Spa (about 1 hour 15 minutes into the journey) and change on the same platform to the train going to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Plus the best bit is, Stratford-upon-Avon is the last stop, so no need to worry about dosing off and missing your train!
Once you’ve arrived you’re an easy 10-minute walk to the city centre.
P.S. – Here’s where to stay for your trip! 🏨
Read More: Hotel Review: A Stay at Hotel Indigo Stratford-Upon-Avon
🚂 Do you need to book your train ticket from London to Stratford-upon-Avon in advance?
Yes! I’d recommend booking in advance if you can, especially if you’re travelling at the weekend or school holidays!
🚂 How much are tickets from London to Stratford-upon-Avon?
A lot more reasonable than you’d think! Typically, journeys range from about £18 up to £42, so be sure to book in advance to get yours on the former.
🚶🏽♀️ Remember it’s around a 10-minute walk to the town centre and Shakespeare sights, so you don’t need to worry about taxis or local buses for the most part. If you’ve brought a lot of luggage or have mobility needs, you can use Uber or a Stratford-upon-Avon taxi if Ubers being slow.
London to Stratford-upon-Avon by Car
Driving from London to Stratford-upon-Avon can work well if you’re planning to stay overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon, wan to explore more of Warwickshire, or are keen to combine Stratford with nearby places like Warwick, Kenilworth or parts of the Cotswolds.
The drive from London to Stratford-upon-Avon usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours in good traffic. From Central London, the most straightforward route is usually to head west/north-west out of London, join the M40, then leave around Junction 15 for the A46 towards Stratford-upon-Avon. The M40 meets the A46 at Junction 15, with the A46 linking Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Coventry.
Once you arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, the good news is that you don’t really need the car to explore the town centre. Stratford is very walkable, so I’d park once and then do the main sights on foot.
If you’re staying at Hotel Indigo you can park there for a fee or at one of the parking lots below (keep in mind all of them are just a five-minute walk from the town centre!).
- Bridgeway Multi-Storey Car Park — large & central option on Bridgeway with 650 spaces, open 24 hours a day. It’s pay-on-return, card-only, uses ANPR, and has up to one hour free.
- Recreation Ground Car Park — on Swans Nest Lane, useful if you want to be near the river and Royal Shakespeare Theatre side of town. It has 378 spaces and is open 24 hours with limited access between 4:30pm and 6:00am.
- Riverside Car Park — another Bridgeway option with 497 spaces, open 24 hours, useful to be on the river side of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Parking charges vary, but you can expect to pay anywhere from £9.50 for up to 9 hours and £14 for up to 24 hours.
London to Stratford-upon-Avon by Coach
Now if you’d like to avoid thinking about transport altogether you can easily get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon by coach.
They usually take longer than the train, but the pros are that your return transport is sorted, you’ll be picked up in London, and some tours like this one include entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place too.
For example, this Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon day trip leaves from London Victoria, lasts around 11 hours, and gives you free time to explore the town once you arrive.
Best if you want a simple, pre-arranged day out rather than booking all your train bits and attractions separately.
Can You Do Stratford-upon-Avon as a Day Trip from London?
Absolutely! Stratford-upon-Avon works brilliant as a day or weekend trip from the city. And a day trip can be great for a taste of all things Shakespeare.
The train takes around two hours each way on the fastest services, and the town itself is very compact and walkable. That means you can see the main sights, have lunch, walk by the River Avon and still get back to London the same day.
That said, it will be a full day, so if you’d like a bit more time and to stay in a charming Stratford-upon-Avon hotel or just rush a bit less I’d do a weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Here’s my Stratford-upon-Avon itinerary for a full guide and in the meantime, here’s some bits you can enjoy in the town:
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- The town centre
- The River Avon
- Holy Trinity Church
- A theatre matinee or evening performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company
- A relaxed lunch or afternoon tea
If you want to see more, go to the theatre, visit multiple Shakespeare family homes, or explore nearby Warwickshire, I’d personally recommend staying overnight.
Read More: Stratford-upon-Avon Itinerary: A Weekend in Shakespeare’s England
Final Thoughts on Travelling from London to Stratford-upon-Avon
Getting from London to Stratford-upon-Avon is easier than you might think, especially by train or an easy coach tour.
Have the most incredible trip and don’t forget to use my Stratford-upon-Avon itinerary for your visit!
Happy travels,
Candace x
Thanks for reading my How to Get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon Guide. If it helped your trip, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE TRAVEL GUIDES:
- Stratford-upon-Avon Itinerary: A Weekend in Shakespeare’s England
- Hotel Review: A Stay at Hotel Indigo Stratford-Upon-Avon
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Happy Travels,
