Day Tour from LondonHow to Get from London to Stonehenge on Your Own
Getting from London to Stonehenge by public transport is a two-part journey. The direct train from London Waterloo to Salisbury takes about 1.5 hours with South Western Railway. From Salisbury, 12 miles (19 km) from the stones, a shuttle bus or the Stonehenge Tour bus finishes the trip. This guide covers both legs in detail, the train ticket to buy, the entry rules at Stonehenge, and the costs at every step. It also compares the do-it-yourself route with the coach tours in the day tours from London comparison, so you can pick the way that suits your day.
The main down platforms at Salisbury railway station. Photo: mattbuck ( category ), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answer The fastest way to Stonehenge
The fastest way from London to Stonehenge is a direct South Western Railway train from London Waterloo to Salisbury, which takes about 1.5 hours. Salisbury is the nearest station to Stonehenge, 12 miles (19 km) away. From there the Salisbury to Stonehenge Shuttle takes about 30 minutes each way and costs $18.75 (£15) return, or the Stonehenge Tour bus runs the same route with entry options. You still need a separate Stonehenge admission ticket either way, and English Heritage's last admission is 1.5 hours before closing.
Key takeaways
- The full step-by-step train route, from Waterloo to the stones.
- Compare the shuttle and the Stonehenge Tour bus side by side.
- Check entry tickets and opening days before you travel.
- Short on time? The Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath coach day trip does the driving for you.
Which Way to Stonehenge Suits You
If You are travelling on a budget
Take the train from Waterloo and the $18.75 (£15) shuttle. The total is a dynamic rail fare plus the shuttle plus your Stonehenge ticket.
If You do not want to plan anything
Book a coach tour. The Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath day trip starts from $106.26 for an 11-hour day with the transport and guide arranged.
If You are a family with children
The train and shuttle route is flexible. Children aged 5 to 15 pay half the adult Off-Peak rail fare and under 5s ride free.
If You are short on time
A tour packs more in. The Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath trip covers three stops in 11 hours, against a do-it-yourself loop that takes about 5 hours on the ground, on top of the 1.5-hour train each way.
If You want to go inside the stone circle
The Stonehenge Inner Circle Access day trip from $254.21 includes a private viewing outside regular hours. The listing's 2026 dates ended on 21 September, so check the calendar for the next season, or aim for the Stone Circle Experience from $87.50 (£70) on your own, though it has no sessions in October or November.
All the Ways from London to Stonehenge
This table sets every realistic option side by side, using figures from English Heritage, Visit Wiltshire, the Stonehenge Tour operator and the tour listings.
Options Compared
There is no station at Stonehenge, so every way in runs through Salisbury, the nearest rail station at 12 miles (19 km) from the site. The train is fixed in time but not in price, since UK rail fares are dynamic and change with demand. The bus options from Salisbury have published fares, and the coach tours bundle the whole day into one price. Entry to the stones itself is always a separate cost unless the option says otherwise. Tour prices below are the lowest option on each listing, and entries can raise them.
Rail fares are dynamic, so check before you book.
| Way | From | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Salisbury, then Stonehenge Shuttle | London Waterloo | About 1.5 hours by train, about 30 minutes each way by shuttle | Dynamic rail fare, plus $18.75 (£15) shuttle return, plus Stonehenge admission | Independent travellers on a budget |
| Train to Salisbury, then Stonehenge Tour bus | London Waterloo | About 1.5 hours by train, about 30-35 minutes by bus | Dynamic rail fare, plus Stonehenge Tour tickets, priced by date | People who want the bus, admission and cathedral bundled |
| Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath day trip | Victoria Coach Station | 11 hours | From $106.26 (entries are add-ons) | Seeing three places in one day with no planning |
| Stonehenge Inner Circle Access with Windsor | 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road | 11 hours | From $254.21 (Windsor entry is an add-on), listed dates ended 21 September | Going inside the stone circle |
Sources: English Heritage: Stonehenge
Stonehenge by Train, Step by Step
The train is the backbone of any do-it-yourself day trip to Stonehenge. Here is the whole route from central London to the stones.
The Train to Salisbury
Trains to Salisbury leave from London Waterloo, the South Western Railway terminus for Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset. The direct service takes about 1.5 hours, a figure confirmed by English Heritage, Visit Wiltshire and South Western Railway. Salisbury is the nearest train station to Stonehenge at 12 miles (19 km) away.
One thing to know before you tap anything: South Western Railway says Oyster and contactless payment are not accepted at Salisbury station, so you need a paper ticket or a smartcard for this journey.
- Go to London Waterloo. It is the terminus for South Western Railway services to Salisbury.
- Buy a return ticket to Salisbury. UK rail fares are dynamic, so there is no fixed figure to quote.
- Ride the direct train, about 1.5 hours.
- At Salisbury, connect to the Stonehenge Shuttle or the Stonehenge Tour bus, both within minutes of the station.
Which Ticket to Buy
An Off-Peak return is the usual choice for a day trip like this. Off-Peak tickets are valid from 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns, and all day at weekends and bank holidays. The return stays valid for one month from the date shown, so a delayed trip costs nothing extra. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 50% of the adult fare, and children under 5 travel free with an adult.
A Railcard cuts a third off most fares. Most Railcards cost $43.75 (£35) for one year or $100 (£80) for three years, and the Disabled Persons Railcard costs $25 (£20) or $67.50 (£54). Travelling on an Off-Peak ticket outside its permitted times means paying the difference to the Anytime fare, plus possible penalty charges, so check the restrictions before boarding an early train.
The Last Mile from Salisbury Station
Two buses link Salisbury station with the stones, and both are covered further down this page. The Stonehenge Shuttle picks up at the Caboose on South Western Road, directly next to the station, and runs seven days a week all year from 07:30 to 20:00. The Stonehenge Tour bus stops at Salisbury rail station itself and at Stop U on New Canal in the city centre.
If you stay in Salisbury instead, the cathedral is worth the detour. South Western Railway says the station is a 10-minute walk from Salisbury Cathedral, and a taxi rank sits directly outside the main entrance. Salisbury is a PlusBus area, so a bus add-on to your train ticket can cover local rides.
What to Check Before You Leave
Three checks save most bad days. First, look at Stonehenge's closing time for your date, because English Heritage's last admission is 1.5 hours before closing and the stones are closed on 25 December. Second, book your Stonehenge ticket online before midnight the day before to save up to 15%, since same-day tickets sell at full price. Third, check National Rail for engineering works or strike action on the Waterloo to Salisbury line before you set out.
Also think about bags. Stonehenge has no cloakroom or left luggage, so English Heritage asks visitors to bring only essentials.
How to Get to Stonehenge Without a Car from Salisbury
The bus from Salisbury station to the stones. Third-party video by Sharon Fitzgerald. We did not shoot it and have no relationship with the creator.
Salisbury to the Stones: Shuttle or Tour Bus
Two services cover the 12 miles between Salisbury and Stonehenge, and the right one depends on what you want bundled into the fare.
The Two Options Compared
The Salisbury to Stonehenge Shuttle is a plain transfer. It costs $18.75 (£15) per person return, takes about 30 minutes each way and does not include Stonehenge admission, so you buy your English Heritage ticket separately. It picks up at the Caboose on South Western Road next to the station and runs seven days a week all year.
The Stonehenge Tour by Salisbury Reds is a hop-on hop-off bus that loops from the city centre via Old Sarum to Stonehenge. Its all-in-one ticket covers the bus, admission to Stonehenge and entry to Salisbury Cathedral. Tickets are sold online, at Salisbury rail station, at the Tourist Information Centre and on the bus, though any transaction over $125 (£100) on the bus must be paid in cash because of contactless limits. Visit Wiltshire says most visitors spend 1.5 to 3 hours at Stonehenge itself.
| Option | Cost | Time | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury to Stonehenge Shuttle | $18.75 (£15) return | About 30 minutes each way | Transport only. Stonehenge admission is not included |
| Stonehenge Tour, Bus Only | Priced by date on the operator's ticket portal | About 30-35 minutes each way | Hop-on hop-off bus via Old Sarum. No entries |
| Stonehenge Tour with Old Sarum and Stonehenge | Priced by date on the operator's ticket portal | About 30-35 minutes each way | Bus, Old Sarum entry and Stonehenge admission with the visitor shuttle at the stones |
| Stonehenge Tour with Cathedral | Priced by date on the operator's ticket portal | About 30-35 minutes each way | Bus, Stonehenge admission and Salisbury Cathedral entry |
Stonehenge Tour Times and Fine Print
The Stonehenge Tour runs all year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In summer the timetable lists hourly departures from Salisbury rail station from 1005 to 1505, with the last bus leaving Stonehenge at 1815 and reaching the station at 1835. The winter timetable leaves the station at 1005, 1105, 1205, 1305 and 1405, with the last return leaving Stonehenge at 1715.
The operator's FAQ advises leaving about 5 hours for the complete trip if you visit Stonehenge, Old Sarum and the Cathedral. The bus ticket is valid all day, and the cathedral entry on the all-in-one ticket stays valid for 48 hours after the tour date. Two things the ticket does not cover: the Salisbury Cathedral Tower Tour, and the Stonehenge audio tour, which is an extra English Heritage charge.
The banks and ditch of Old Sarum rise above the footbridge to the old hilltop settlement. Photo: Michael Dibb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Entry Tickets and Opening Days
The journey is only half the plan. Here is what entry costs and when the sights at the end of the line are open.
Stonehenge Itself
English Heritage runs Stonehenge, and one rule matters more than any other on this page. Book online before midnight the day before and you save up to 15%. Same-day tickets are sold at full price, and the live admission price changes by date, so there is no single figure to print here. English Heritage members enter free but must still book a timed ticket, and National Trust members in England also enter free using a code at checkout.
Once inside, your ticket is valid all day, so you can arrive at any time within opening hours and stay as long as you like. Opening hours change with the season, so check English Heritage's page for your date. The site closes on 25 December. Last admission is 1.5 hours before closing. Parking costs non-members $5 (£4) and is free for English Heritage members.
| Sight | Cost | Hours | Rules to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stonehenge | Dynamic price. Book before midnight the day before to save up to 15% | Hours change by season, closed 25 December | Last admission 1.5 hours before closing. Tickets valid all day. Members enter free but must book |
| Stone Circle Experience | From $87.50 (£70) adult, $50 (£40) child 5-17, under 5s free | Early morning or evening, outside normal hours | One hour, capped at 52 people. Booking essential. No sessions in October or November |
| Salisbury Cathedral | $15.63 (£12.50) advance, $18.13 (£14.50) on the day | Mon to Sat 9:30 to 17:00, Sun 12:30 to 16:00 | Chapter House and Magna Carta open 10:00 on weekdays and 13:00 on Sundays |
| Stonehenge parking | $5 (£4) non-members, free for members | With site hours | Postcode SP4 7DE |
The Visitor Centre and Getting to the Stones
From the visitor centre, the stones are a walk or a shuttle ride away. On foot, allow 25 to 40 minutes across fields and unmade paths, depending on pace. The free visitor bus takes around 5 to 10 minutes, runs frequently through the day and is included with admission. It stops at Fargo Plantation, about halfway, so you can ride out and walk part of the way back.
The visitor centre exhibition displays over 250 archaeological objects, many on loan from Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum, and a 360 degree audio-visual experience puts viewers inside the stones through the seasons. Outside stand five Neolithic Houses based on houses found at Durrington Walls, each with a chalk floor, a hearth and stake-built walls. During normal hours visitors stay on the path around the stones, and only Stone Circle Experience tickets go inside the circle.
The Stone Circle Experience
If standing inside the circle is the whole point of your trip, the Stone Circle Experience is the way to do it on your own. The visit lasts an hour and takes place in the early morning or evening, outside normal visiting hours. Sessions are limited to 52 people, split into two groups of 26 at the stones. Adult tickets start at $87.50 (£70), children aged 5 to 17 from $50 (£40), and under 5s go free.
Booking is essential and availability is limited, with no sessions in October or November. Visitors must board the shuttle bus 10 minutes before the session starts, and standing on or touching the stones is not allowed. UNESCO inscribed Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and calls it the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world.
The Zero-Hassle Option: A Tour from London
If the two-leg journey sounds like work, a coach tour replaces every decision with one booking.
Two Tours That Reach the Stones
The Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from Evan Evans Tours starts from $106.26 and runs 11 hours with up to 52 travellers on the coach. Be clear about what that price buys: the coach and guide only. Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Roman Baths entries are each add-ons, lunch is not included, and there is no hotel pickup. Check-in is inside Victoria Coach Station at Gate 1-5.
The Stonehenge Inner Circle Access Day Trip with Windsor, also Evan Evans, starts from $254.21 and includes a private viewing of the inner circle outside regular opening hours, which the ordinary ticket never allows. Windsor Castle entry depends on the option picked, food is extra, and the meeting point is 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road. Both prices are the lowest option on the listing, so entries raise them. The inner circle listing's 2026 dates ended on 21 September, so check its calendar for the next season. The full range of day tours from London sits on the homepage comparison.
London to Stonehenge: Your Questions
What is the best way to get from London to Stonehenge?
For most independent travellers the train wins. The direct South Western Railway service from Waterloo to Salisbury takes about 1.5 hours, and Salisbury is the nearest station at 12 miles (19 km) from the stones. From there the $18.75 (£15) shuttle or the Stonehenge Tour bus finishes the trip. If you would rather not manage three bookings, a coach tour from Victoria does it in one.
Is Stonehenge worth a day trip from London?
It is a solid day out, and the numbers explain why. The train is about 1.5 hours each way, the bus from Salisbury about 30 minutes, and most visitors spend 1.5 to 3 hours at the stones, with the operator suggesting about 5 hours for the full loop taking in Old Sarum and the cathedral. That fits comfortably in a day. Our guide to day trips from London by train lists other routes of the same length.
Is it worth paying for Stonehenge entry?
The admission price is dynamic and English Heritage does not print a single figure, but booking online before midnight the day before saves up to 15%, and same-day tickets cost full price. Entry covers the exhibition with over 250 objects, the Neolithic Houses and the shuttle to the stones. If going inside the circle matters to you, the Stone Circle Experience starts at $87.50 (£70) and is the only ordinary way in, apart from an inner circle tour from London.
Can you just show up to Stonehenge?
You can, but it costs you. English Heritage says booking online before midnight the day before saves up to 15%, and same-day tickets are sold at full price. The stones are also subject to last admission 1.5 hours before closing, and the site closes on 25 December. For the Stone Circle Experience, booking is essential and there are no sessions in October or November.
How long does the whole journey take?
Count about 1.5 hours from Waterloo to Salisbury, roughly 30 minutes on the shuttle or 30 to 35 minutes on the Stonehenge Tour bus, and 5 to 10 minutes on the free visitor bus from the centre to the stones. Add the walking option if you skip that bus, which English Heritage puts at 25 to 40 minutes each way. Those add up to about 2 hours 5 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes each way, before any waiting at Salisbury or the visitor centre.
Do I need to book the bus from Salisbury in advance?
The Shuttle runs seven days a week all year and no advance booking is mentioned in its listing, while Stonehenge Tour tickets are sold online, at the rail station, at the Tourist Information Centre and on the bus. Remember that any bus transaction over $125 (£100) must be paid in cash. For the trains, see the guide to planning a day trip from London for how ticket types work.