Salisbury · Wiltshire

Getting to
Salisbury

Train from London in 90 minutes. Parking guides, bus routes, Stonehenge transfers and everything you need to plan your visit.

- By Train- By Car- Parking- Stonehenge Bus- Local Buses- Cycling
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By Train

- Best option from London
Direct trains from London Waterloo - Salisbury approx. every 30 minutes. Journey time 90 minutes. Operated by South Western Railway. Book in advance at southwesternrailway.com for cheaper fares.
FROMTIMEFREQ.
London Waterloo
South Western Railway - Direct service. Fastest trains from London.
~90 minutesEvery 30 min (peak)
Southampton Central
South Western Railway - Direct service.
~35 minutesHourly+
Bath Spa
Great Western Railway - Via Westbury. Scenic route through Wiltshire.
~60 minutesHourly
Bristol Temple Meads
Great Western Railway - Via Westbury.
~80 minutesHourly
Exeter St Davids
South Western Railway - Direct. Scenic route along the Avon Valley.
~2 hoursHourly
Portsmouth Harbour
South Western Railway - Direct service.
~65 minutesHourly
- Check live times (National Rail) -South Western Railway -
-Advance single tickets London - Salisbury can cost as little as -15 - always book ahead
-Railcards (16-25, Family, Senior, Two Together) give 1/3 off and are well worth having for regular travel
-The station is 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral - or take a taxi (-5-7)
-Bikes are allowed on most trains with free reservations on South Western Railway
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By Car

London (M3)
Via M3 then A303 - avoid M25 peak times
1 hr 30 min
83 miles
Southampton (A36)
Direct on A36 - fast and easy
30 min
24 miles
Bristol (M4/A303)
Via M4 to A303 then A338 south
50 min
38 miles
Bath (A36)
Scenic route along the A36 Avon Valley
40 min
26 miles
Bournemouth (A338)
Straight up the A338 - fast road
40 min
28 miles
Exeter (A303)
Via A303 - pass Stonehenge en route
1 hr 15 min
78 miles
- Note on A303 delays: The A303 through Stonehenge frequently has significant delays, especially in summer and at peak times. Add 30-45 minutes buffer if travelling from London on summer weekends. The M3 route is more reliable.
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Parking in Salisbury

Maltings Car Park
- SP2 7TU - 3 min walk to cathedral
From -1.50/hr
City centre, near the river. Very popular - arrives early.
- Get directions -
Central Car Park
- SP1 1XP - 2 min walk to Market Place
From -1.50/hr
Right in the city centre, directly behind the Market Place. Multi-storey.
- Get directions -
Old George Mall Car Park
- SP1 2JX - 1 min walk to high street
From -1.80/hr
Attached to Old George Mall shopping centre. Very handy for the high street.
- Get directions -
Greencroft Car Park
- SP1 1JE - 5 min walk to cathedral
From -1.30/hr
Smaller but often has spaces when others are full. Good for cathedral visits.
- Get directions -
Long Stay Car Park (Beehive)
- SP2 7NG - 12 min walk (or free city bus)
From -0.80/hr - best value for long stays
Best value if staying all day. Free Citybus transfer to centre.
- Get directions -
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Getting to Stonehenge from Salisbury

Private shuttle: Salisbury to Stonehenge Shuttle

For visitors arriving by train, the Salisbury to Stonehenge Shuttle is the most convenient option. It departs from Caboose at 115 South Western Road, directly opposite the station exit — a 2-minute walk. Six departures daily at 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 13:05, 14:05 and 15:05. The journey takes 35 minutes direct. Tickets are £20 return per person and include luggage storage at Caboose and a takeaway coffee before you board. Maximum 12 passengers per departure. Book at salisburytostonehenge.com.

Book the shuttle: £20 return
Public bus: The Stonehenge Tour
Departure:Salisbury Train Station and Bus Stop K, Endless Street
Journey time:35 to 45 minutes (stops at Old Sarum)
Frequency:Approx. every 30 minutes in summer
Price:£22 to £25 return per adult
Season:Year round with reduced winter timetable
Stonehenge Tour Bus website

For a full comparison of all transport options including taxi and driving, see our complete Stonehenge from Salisbury guide.

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Local Buses

7
Old Sarum
Direct to the hillfort and English Heritage site
Hourly
8
Amesbury / Stonehenge (seasonal)
Useful alternative route toward the Stonehenge area
Hourly+
29
Wilton
Direct to Wilton House and Wilton village
Every 20 min
X5
Romsey / Southampton
Connect to Southampton and the south
Hourly
U1 Citybus
City Centre Loop
Free city centre shuttle - connects long-stay car park to centre
Frequent

For full timetables and live tracking, use Traveline South East or the Wiltshire Council journey planner.

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Cycling to Salisbury

Salisbury is well-connected by cycle routes, though the city itself is hilly in places. National Cycle Route 24 passes through the city linking Salisbury to Bournemouth (28 miles south) and Bath (26 miles north). The Avon Valley Path is a popular cycling route along the river.

NCN Route 24 (North - Bath)
26 miles - Traffic-free sections, some on-road
NCN Route 24 (South - Bournemouth)
28 miles - Avon Valley Path, mostly off-road
Clarendon Way (cycling) (East - Winchester)
26 miles - Mix of bridleways and country lanes

Bike hire is available in Salisbury from several local operators. Bike storage is available at Salisbury Train Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the train from London to Salisbury?
Direct trains from London Waterloo to Salisbury take approximately 90 minutes. The fastest service takes 1 hour 26 minutes. Trains run approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day on weekdays.
Is there parking in Salisbury city centre?
Yes, there are several car parks close to the city centre. The Maltings Car Park (SP2 7TU) is a favourite for visitors - it's close to both the city centre and the water meadows. The Central Car Park (SP1 1XP) is the most central option. Prices typically start from -1.50/hour.
Is Salisbury easy to reach without a car?
Yes - Salisbury is well-served by train from London (90 min), Southampton (35 min), Bath (60 min) and Bristol (80 min). The city centre is compact and walkable from the station. The Stonehenge Tour bus runs seasonally for day trips to Stonehenge.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Salisbury?
Advance purchase train tickets from London Waterloo to Salisbury can cost as little as -15 each way. National Express coaches also run occasionally but take 2.5+ hours. National Railcards give 1/3 off most fares.
Can you get from Salisbury to Stonehenge by public transport?
Yes - the Stonehenge Tour bus runs from Salisbury train station and the city centre bus stop on Endless Street. It runs approximately every 30 minutes between May and October, takes about 30 minutes, and combined bus + Stonehenge entry tickets are available. The service is seasonal - check the Stonehenge Tour website for exact dates.
Plan your Salisbury visit
- Visitor Guide- Attractions⛰ Walking Routes- Restaurants- Where to Stay- Parking Guide