Stonehenge is one of the worlds greatest and oldest mysteries. Everybody knows about it but nobody knows exactly what it is. Historians, philosophers and pundits have been hypothesizing what it means or what it was for centuries but nobody really knows. That’s what’s cool about Stonehenge. It’s a mystery.
Stonehenge is located some 90 miles or so from Central London. How to get to Stonehenge from London is another question that needs to be answered. The simplest answer is there are three ways how to get to Stonehenge from London.
Train is perhaps the fastest way and also likely the most expensive. The train leaves from Waterloo Station in London every 30-60 minutes and takes about an hour and a half to Salisbury. Prices vary but riding the rails in Great Britain is rarely the cheapest option. From Salisbury, you will have to get a cab or bus to Stonehenge and then one back as well.
Bus is another option and the one I used the last time I went to Stonehenge about 12 years ago. You catch the bus form Victoria Station in Central London and you have a few options. There are Stonehenge tours that can be combined with stops in Salisbury, Bath and other parts of Southwest England. I did that the last time and it was good, just very time consuming-like all day. The other thing about the direct is it may let you out in Amesbury where you’ll have to walk about 2 miles to get to Stonehenge or catch a cab.
For me, hiring or renting a car is the best way to do it. However, renting cars in London and much of Europe is different than renting a car in the US. You have to specify automatic if that’s what you want to drive. You also then have to reconfirm with the actual pick up location that they have these cars available as central reservations and the offices are not well connected. Trust me on this one!
Once you are all square, rental car is the best way to get to Stonehenge. Just get a GPS or even better use the GPS on your smart phone to show you the way. In 75-90 minutes you’ll be at Stonehenge. It’s that easy. Plus with a car, you don’t have to wait for annoying tour groups, endless pictures, souvenir buyers and of course just wasted down time from bus drivers. You are the master of your own domain-not to be dramatic but it is true!
Once at Stonehenge, enjoy it, walk around it, and see it from all sides. Admire the unknown on the side of the road in a field. Be baffled and amazed and try to put yourself back centuries to Druidian times and figure out what they were doing. That’s the best thing about sites like Stonehenge. Trying to put yourself there, ignoring the modern day and the annoying crowds. That’s why I liked Stonehenge and I am glad I went back.
I just wanted to write this as a little advice on how to get to Stonehenge from London because there are a few options but as always, I think renting a car is best. It’s freedom to what you want and to explore the site as long or as short as you like!
How to Get to Stonehenge from London
March 14, 2013 by 23 Comments
We did the whole day bus journey last time and it was LONG. A nice day yes but very long and a lot of bus and waiting for others…hiring a car would’ve been a better idea.
ya exactly my experience from 12 years ago or whenever it was
Love Stonehenge!
it is cool!
Good post, totally agree rental car is the best way to do it. another thought: for those who are afraid to drive in london itself they can also rent from heathrow and take the train out there to avoid the traffic and potential headache of getting lost down one way streets.
Good point!
I took the train, it was fine but a little expensive but then you have to get from the train to Stonehenge as you said which is another expense
exactly
Agreed, renting a car is the best way for sure
well said sir!
I like renting cars too. However, if you are in a foreugn country isn’t it better to immerse in the local culture? Like bus, train or even hitchhike. I think if you travel around the world it’s perhaps best to avoid airports, hotels and car rentals as it won’t immerse you in the local culture etc.
Is jumping on a bus full of tourists immersing yourself in the culture?
” However, renting cars in London and much of Europe is different than car rental in the USA. You have to specify automatic if that’s what you want to drive.” Automatic? Guys in the USA drive Automatic transmission cars? Sissies!
Haha ya we learn on automatics…hard to even find sticks anymore. I can drive a stick but I don’t like doing it with my left hand as is in London on the other side if the street!
Do you have to have an international drivers license or special insurance to rent a car in the UK? And any age restrictions? I would be really nervous driving on the opposite side of the road…!
You do not need extra special insurance and I do not have an Int’l license…it is easy to adapt to driving on the other side of the street…not to worry!
By car is by far the easiest way from London to Stonehenge it doesn’t take that long only around 2 hours. The roads are good all the way once out of London. I did have a smile though at a couple of the comments about automatics and stick shift hire cars. Over here in the uk we mostly still use manual geat box cars. So you would have to ask for an automatic specifically.
Enjoyed the post
Barry
Stonehenge is one of the best place when I ever seen in my life. You were greatly explained in the post how to reach this destination easily. If I planned a tour toward this iconic location than it’s memorable tour in my life. This picture I have seen in the background of computer wallpapers. But if I see in real than it’s really inspirational for me.
Did any of you do the private access tour at Stonehenge? How large are the tour groups? Does the guide talk endlessly or do you have time to just enjoy and take in the surroundings?
Thanks! We plan to travel from Stansted to London to Stonehenge to Glasgow to Edinburgh, where we will drop the car and take the train/ferry to Dublin. Coming from Germany, we had every intention of just hopping the train. Then we found out how insanely expensive it is in London for two people! Much cheaper to fly, but renting a car for such a short, spread out journey will work out better for us. Thanks for helping us seal the deal on the rental!
I read somewhere that, from Heathrow, you can take the National Express coach to Woking (cutting out going in to the city), then the rail train to Salisbury, and then the Stonehenge bus to the site. Has anyone heard of this? That person says cutting out going in to the city made the trip’s time a lot shorter. Any input on that? Greatly appreciated.
Stonehenge, where the demons dwell and the banshees live and they do live well.
You can also take shuttle buses to Stonehenge from London, departing from Victoria Train Station