stonehenge tour bus timetable

The Stonehenge Direct Hop On Big Bus Budget Tour. Salisbury Departure.

Journey back in time to discover the magnificent Stonehenge, probably the most sophisticated stone circle in the world. Hourly departures from Salisbury on this big bus hop on / hop off budget transport option.

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING MAGICAL, MYSTERIOUS AND TRULY MAGNIFICENT WHEN YOU HOP ON BOARD THE STONEHENGE TOUR BUS... On the tour you can journey back in time to discover the magnificent Stonehenge, probably the most sophisticated stone circle in the world. Our hop-on hop-off tour picks up in Salisbury city centre and runs to Old Sarum, through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside to the magnificent, magical henge.

Stonehenge evolved from a simple bank and ditch in the Neolithic period, some 5,000 years ago, to a very sophisticated stone circle built on the axis of the midsummer sunrise. The bluestones were brought 240 miles from the Preseli mountains in Wales.

There are many stories about the significance of Stonehenge. It may have been an astronomical observatory or used for sacred rituals linked to the sun, successful crops or even the dead. We simply don’t know, but you can learn about them on the audio tour at the site - it’s in 10 different languages.

Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

The stone circle, exhibition and visitor centre are all open for you to enjoy while keeping to social distancing rules.

Shuttle bus - The shuttle bus will be prioritised for those who need it. All visitors using the bus will be required to bring and wear a face covering.

Walking to the Stones - We’ve introduced a 2.6 mile circular route to the stones and back on unmade paths through the surrounding ancient landscape which is owned and cared for by the National Trust.

Cafe - A takeaway catering offer will be provided in our outdoor seating area or you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy near the stones.

Shop - The shop will be open and most items are also available online.

Audio guide - Free to download to your own smartphone in advance. Don’t forget your headphones!

Toilets - Our toilets are open as usual. Additional hand sanitising stations will be available across the site.

STAY SAFE: Private Tour Option Only want to travel with your family or chosen group? Why not book the entire vehicle and take a private tour? Choose this Stonehenge itinerary for only £29 per person! View our Custom Tours

We offer over 100 Stonehenge Tours and many do not have a Book Now button as we need to perform additional availability checks and any available discounts. Simply fill in the form below and one of our experienced Stonehenge experts will swiftly email your various tour options, possible alternatives, real time availability and include any available discounts. You can then book with confidence with the best flexible terms. We aim to respond within 12 hours, often much sooner and remember do not book with anyone else until you've received our exclusive options from a real person.

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Our Stonehenge experts aim to reply to all emails within 12 hrs, often much sooner. If you have not received a reply from us within that time please check your spam folder. If you still have not received a reply please call us on +44 (0) 1722 622 748 PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A STONEHENGE TOUR WITH ANY OTHER COMPANY UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED OUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR OFFER(S). IN THE MEAN TIME WE RECOMMEND VISITING OUR LONDON TRAVEL PARTNERS WEBSITE FOR DISCOUNT TOURS AND ATTRACTION TICKETS

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Tour Reviews

I just wanted to thank you and all the wonderful staff at Stonehenge Guided Tours for one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Special thanks to our tour guide Paul for taking extra care with me and another"all-nighter" to ensure we were safe and well cared for by Nick out at the Stones and safely returned to London the next morning. Angus thank you for communicating with me for 18 months to make my dream a reality. I amforever grateful to you all. Such a magic night with so many memorable moments. Keep up the great work!

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Salisbury Reds

St - salisbury - stonehenge.

A bus service operated by Salisbury Reds

This is a tour service and can not be used by local passengers. Please do not attempt to board this bus unless you are booked onto it.

Salisbury - Stonehenge

Stonehenge - salisbury.

Times marked s – “set down only” – the bus will only stop to drop passengers off

Timetable data from Go-Ahead/Bus Open Data Service (BODS) , 21 June 2024. We’re not endorsed by, affiliated with or supported by them, and they don’t warrant the accuracy or quality of the information.

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The Stonehenge hop-on hop-off tour from Salisbury.

Take a guided tour from the city of Salisbury to Stonehenge and explore an area that has fascinated millions for generations and considered a national treasure!. See iconic Stonehenge and feel its power on a day trip from Salisbury. Discover the mystery of the pre-historic monument as you learn about the many theories explaining its origins and purpose.

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING MAGICAL, MYSTERIOUS AND TRULY MAGNIFICENT WHEN YOU HOP ON BOARD THE STONEHENGE TOUR BUS…

‍ This classic budget hop-on hop-off tour picks up in Salisbury city centre and runs to Old Sarum, through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside to the magnificent, magical henge.

With on board commentary in 10 different languages we guide you through the glorious landscape telling you all about historical tales and facts that took place in the area.

You can listen in the following languages:

• Brazilian/Portuguese

Discover more about the Stonehenge Tour

We offer an all-in-one ticket which gives you priority entrance to Stonehenge and its visitor centre as well as the tour and Salisbury Cathedral, or just pay for the bus tour and enjoy the ride through the Wiltshire landscape.

Stonehenge evolved from a simple bank and ditch in the Neolithic period, some 5,000 years ago, to a very sophisticated stone circle built on the axis of the midsummer sunrise. The bluestones were brought 240 miles from the Preseli mountains in Wales.

There are many stories about the significance of Stonehenge. It may have been an astronomical observatory or used for sacred rituals linked to the sun, successful crops or even the dead. We simply don’t know.

All of our online tickets are valid for 6 months from the day of purchase.

Adult Bus Only £15.00 per ticket Adult Tour and Stones £29.00 per ticketChild All Inclusive £23.00 per ticket Child Bus Only£10.00 per ticket Child Tour and Stones£19.00 per ticket Group All Inclusive £103.00 per ticket

Tour prices

2024 tour dates.

DEPARTS DAILY

The Unofficial Guide to Get to Stonehenge and Bath on Your Own

• Post author: Victoria
• Post published: May 30, 2018
• Post category: Destinations / Europe

If you are reading this, I can already tell that you have an adventurous spirit. Why else would you have clicked on an article about how to get to Stonehenge or Bath on your own without a car? As a foreigner, taking public transport is certainly not the popular way to travel west of London. You could have easily chosen to be a part of a guided tour or attempted to rent a car, yet here you are! You are ready to be in charge of your own destiny.

There is not a lot of information out there about how to travel outside of London on your own, but luckily you have me. I already did the grunt work of figuring out a day trip to Stonehenge AND Bath, now all you gotta do is read my kickstart guide. In this guide you will find the route I took, how I timed it, how much it cost, and some of my recommendations.

You will notice that in this guide I mention “we” and “us” when describing certain aspects of how I executed this DIY Stonehenge/Bath Trip. Shout out to my little sister who joined me and made the trip special!

Alright, now that you are all fired up, let’s dive into the details…

Step 1: The Route

Getting to stonehenge/salisbury from london (estimated 90 mi/145 km).

Stonehenge was a bit tricky to figure out, as it is in the middle of nowhere . There are just fields around it that seem to go on for miles. The nearest major town is Salisbury (about 9ish miles away), so my first step was figuring out what mode of transport to use. I was left with two options when I decided I didn’t want to join a Tour Group and didn’t feel comfortable with renting a car.

London to Salisbury Transportation Options One Way

Based on my research, I decided to take the train from London to Salisbury (as well as make that my main transportation through the rest of the trip). My reasoning was that 4-5 hours is too much time to spend on the road, and I figured that paying a bit more would result in more time to explore. So I ended up t aking a train from London Waterloo Station to Salisbury Station.   For a day trip that I may never get the chance to do again? Worth it.

Once in Salisbury, the question is how to travel the 9ish miles to Stonehenge.

There are 3 basic transportation options to get from Salisbury Station to the Stonehenge Visitor Center:

For a day trip we didn’t have time to walk/bike, and I figured we didn’t need the luxury of a private cab, so I looked at the final option.

There is one “public” bus to get to Stonehenge from Salisbury, and I repeat only one bus. It is called The Stonehenge Tour , and is a double decker Hop On Hop Off service.

The Stonehenge Tour bus has a few starting points within Salisbury (including right outside Salisbury Station), and you can either purchase your ticket ahead of time or upon arrival. During the summer months it will run every 30 minutes, and the rest of the year it runs every hour. The bus ride from Salisbury Station to the Stonehenge Visitor Center will take you about 30 minutes and starting cost is £15 for a Bus Only Adult ticket. They will also throw in an audio guide as you ride.

Click here for The Stonehenge Tour bus stop timetable and route.

Your stop for Stonehenge will be at the Stonehenge Visitor Center, and then getting to the actual monument is either a 40 minute walk or 5 minute shuttle (via the visitor center) . There is decent signage to guide you, otherwise follow the crowds. I have included my own little map below to give you an orientation of where all the landmarks are located.

Map of Stonehenge Visitor Center and Monument

Once you are done with visiting, you can hop back on the Stonehenge Tour Bus where you were dropped off, and stay on the bus till you are back at the Salisbury Station stop.

Getting to Bath from Stonehenge/Salisbury (Estimated 40 mi/64 km)

Taking the train from Salisbury Station to Bath Spa Station takes about 1 hour, and I was able to purchase a ticket at £18.30.

The beautiful thing about the center of Bath is that it is ridiculously walkable.  The city center has plenty of winding streets, however getting from one side of town to the other takes only 30 minutes walking. It gets hilly towards the outskirts of town, but for the most part the cobblestone streets and alleys are walking friendly.

There is a Hop On Hop Off bus option in town, however we were able to cover the city center all by foot within a few hours. Given a full day, the outer edges could be covered as well.

Getting back to London from Bath (Estimated 116 mi/187 km)

Getting back to London is pretty simple, as there is a train that runs from Bath Spa Station to Paddington Station . It takes about 1.5-2 hours depending on the train, and costs around £35.

Now that you know the route, it is time for…

Step 2: Timing

Being a time-nut is kinda my thing. I like to know when and where I need to be in order to check everything off my list. While certainly there are moments where being time-conscious isn’t necessary, it can certainly be very helpful.

When planning this DIY Stonehenge/Bath trip, I needed to figure out timing that would maximize our experience at each stop while also being conscious of budget and opening hours. I spent quite a bit of time researching train timetables, comparing pricing, and studying maps in order to create the perfect plan.  

Below is the personal schedule I created to explore Stonehenge and Bath in a single day:

Using the above schedule, we spent:

• Approx. 2.5 Hour at Stonehenge/Salisbury
• 4 Hours exploring Bath
• Approx. 5 Hours in transit*

In total, we spent a little over 10 Hours traveling 255 miles. Certainly not an easy feat, but also very doable.

If you are are going to attempt a DIY day trip, I encourage you to use my timetable as a reference. That way you won’t get a headache wrapping your head around timetables like I did.

*5 hours on the road well spent I might add. We got to see a part of Britain that we may never have seen otherwise! And while on the train, we saw a variety of eclectic towns and green rolling hills that stretched for miles. 

Step 3: Pricing

Fair warning, a day trip to 2 different cities outside London will not be the cheapest thing you can do while in the UK. However that doesn’t mean it should break the bank!

Below I will share a breakdown of the major costs, and then will compare the DIY version to a guided tour version. I will even include my suggestions to shave off some pounds! (Currency puns…)

Note: This trip was taken in the Off-Season (Early March)

*Your own transportation ticket prices may vary. The above shows what I paid.

** Currency conversion based off 2018 pricing 

For the Attractions, I will provide the prices listed on their websites if you were to book in advance. Please note these prices are subject to change, so make sure to visit their websites as well!

**Currency conversion based off 2018 pricing

Here are 4 ways to save money:

• Pack your own food
• Purchase train tickets in advance/compare pricing online
• Book attractions online (purchasing in advance is usually cheaper!)
• Purchase The Stonehenge Tour Bus Only ticket instead of the  Bus, Old Sarum, & Stonehenge version, and walk 40 minutes through the fields up to the ticketed area fence. You are a bit further back from the monument in the “free” zone, but Stonehenge is so large you will still get a clear view for free. #BudgetTravelHacks

So, How Does Getting There On Your Own Compare to Getting a Guided Tour?

This DIY trip took a little over 10 hours to complete and (for transparency) cost me £146.37 ($204.98) total. The price includes transport, attractions, and food for one person in the month of March. In retrospect, I could have shaved off some cost by packing my own lunch, purchasing cheaper train tickets in advance, or opted for the cheaper version of The Stonehenge Tour Bus (I purchased a combo ticket that got me closer to Stonehenge). Theoretically, the price could have been dropped to around £120.00 ($168.05).

In comparison, I found on Viator a guided tour with almost the exact same route. It estimates it will take 11.5 hours, and cost £107.24 ($150.18). That is quite a price difference from my DIY, because it does not include the Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Center, or food. If you were to factor in those items (£16.50 for Roman Baths, £12.00 for Jane Austen Center, and £15.00 for lunch/snack), you are looking at a price point closer to £150 ($210.06).

The prices between going on your own or with a tour guide are pretty similar. In the end, it is up to you how you want to experience your day trip. If you are up for an adventure definitely try the DIY. If you are looking for a more relaxing time, finding a reputable tour guide isn’t a bad idea!

My Recommendations

Now that you know how to get to Stonehenge and Bath on your own (as well as what to expect), I will share some suggestions for your trip.

In Salisbury/Stonehenge

• For a full experience of Stonehenge and the surrounding area, purchase a combo ticket from The Stonehenge Tour. This isn’t a bad option if you want to spend more time visiting, and you will have access to more exclusive areas.
• Salisbury Cathedral  – It has the largest spire, close and cloister in the U.K.! One of four original Magna Carta is also inside.
• Salisbury Market – 10 minutes from Salisbury Cathedral is a large square where you can wander through stalls of vegetables, fruits, and other goods.
• Take a walk – Visit the city center along roads like High Street and New Canal .
• Poultry Cross – For a bit of medieval architecture in the midst of the 21st century, make sure  to stop by this striking landmark.
• A visitor can easily spend 2-3 hours or more in the Stonehenge/Salisbury area.
• The Roman Baths  is a must see, as it is full of history and artifacts. Definitely worth the money. If you want to take some sick pictures, make sure to visit early or near closing time for less crowds.
• Skip the Jane Austen Centre – Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Jane Austen. Unfortunately I was disappointed with the exhibition, as it was short in length and was sparse in presentation. The staff there were really nice, and the potential is there for a great exhibition. However for the price I felt it wasn’t worth it.
• Wander the streets and parks of Bath! Notable landmarks include Pulteney Bridge , Bath Abbey , The Circus , The Pump Room and The Royal Crescent
• Apparently Sally Lunn’s has the best buns? I tried it plain and untoasted which was a mistake, so if you do try it, do it the right way! Toasted and with your favorite toppings. 🙂
• People commute in/out of Bath Spa Station, so it can be a bit crowded towards commute hours. Just bear that in mind the later in the evening you travel.
• A visitor can easily spend a day exploring Bath and surrounding area.

Alright, Now It is Time For You to Start Planning

This kickstart guide is one of many ways you can visit Stonehenge and Bath. There are certainly other ways to experience these historical places, so get creative! My hope is that this guide serves as a jumping off point for your own adventure.

If you do make it out to Stonehenge and Bath, I would love to know how you were able to make it happen. Let me know in the comments section!

Helpful Resources

“Travelling to Stonehenge without a car” (Video)

“How to see Stonehenge Fo Free!” by Mr and Mrs Adventure (Video)

“How to get to Stonehenge for Free – Stonehenge” by Ro-Jo Goes (Video)

“Decoding the ancient astronomy of Stonehenge” by Vox (Video)

“BATH IN A WEEKEND: Best Places to Visit” by Greta’s Travels (Video)

“The city of Bath in 9 minutes | Pub Talk” by Pub Talk (Video)

“Walking Tour of Bath UK” by Tour Guides Travel Guides (Video)

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What does my ticket include?

Tour bus only

This ticket is just the bus tour itself.

Tour bus plus Old Sarum & Stonehenge Admission

This  ticket covers the cost of entrance to both Old Sarum and Stonehenge.

Tour bus plus Old Sarum, Stonehenge Admission and Cathedral

This covers the cost of entrance to all three listed sites, this does not cover the cost of the Cathedral Tower Tour.

Entrance to the cathedral is valid for 48 hours after the date you take the tour, just in case you don’t have time to see everything.  All you need to do is arrive within opening hours and show your Stonehenge Tour all inclusive ticket at the welcome desk.

Salisbury Cathedral  openings times   can be found on their  website .

Please be aware that there is an audio tour provided at the Stonehenge site, this is subject to an additional charge by English Heritage and is not included in your Tour ticket.

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