- Must visit
M Shed
Large harbourside museum covering Bristol’s people, industry and global links, with varied galleries and family-friendly displays.
Cheapest price
£29
Average price
£30
Fastest journey
3 h 25 m
Average duration
3 h 32 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
110 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Barnstaple to Bristol is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barnstaple to Bristol will cost around £30 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £29.
Of the 3 buses that leave Barnstaple for Bristol every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 110 km distance in an average of 3 h 32 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 25 m .
The slowest buses will take 3 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Barnstaple to Bristol among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, and a train costs an average of £13.
Distance: 110 km
Most popular Coach | Train |
|---|---|
£27 Average Price Cheapest | £32 Average Price |
3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 2m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Barnstaple to Bristol coaches for today, Thursday 27 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX502 | 8:40 Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) | 3h25 | 12:05 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX105 | 9:25 Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) | 3h25 | 12:50 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Barnstaple to Bristol run on average 1 times per day, taking around 3h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £13 by train.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 04:12, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 110 km distance in 3h 25m.
Distance 110 km |
Average bus duration 3h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 3h 25m |
First bus 4:12 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Bristol — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bristol trip today.
Large harbourside museum covering Bristol’s people, industry and global links, with varied galleries and family-friendly displays.
City museum and art gallery with natural history, archaeology, applied art and paintings in a grand central building.
Former passenger liner turned museum ship, where visitors explore restored decks and learn about transatlantic travel and engineering.
Lively floating harbour area with waterside walks, museums, boats and year-round city views, ideal for first-time visitors.
Elegant Georgian square with lawns and paths, useful as a calm stop between the old city, harbour and nearby cultural sights.
Colourful hillside neighbourhood famed for street art, independent character and broad views over the city from nearby green spaces.
A cider from apples grown in the surrounding West Country. Bristol’s long cider-trading history makes it a classic local drink to try in pubs and cider houses.
A rich cheese from Somerset, often eaten across Bristol in sandwiches, ploughman’s lunches and pub dishes. It is one of the region’s best-known traditional foods.
A traditional bun flavoured with dried fruit, spice and candied peel, linked to Bristol since the 18th century. It is a distinctive local teatime bake.
Long-running St Nicholas Market favourite serving pitta sandwiches packed with falafel, salad and sauces in a casual setting.
Elegant modern British dining in Clifton, with tasting menus and polished service in an intimate setting.
Lively harbourside restaurant known for excellent steaks, burgers and strong cocktails in a smart but relaxed room.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining cost less than London, but more than many smaller cities. Buses are reasonable; central attractions and cafés can add up.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is enough. Taxis: round up or tip about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Bristol Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) -> Broadmead, Bristol
Getting from Barnstaple to Bristol by coach is a more relaxing and straightforward journey than travelling by train. The timetable varies throughout the week with at least one daily direct departure and one or two connecting routes. It is sometimes quicker to take a connecting route than a direct service but all journeys take between three and three and a half hours. Departures are from Barnstaple Silver Street Bus Station with routes terminating at Bristol Marlborough Street Bus Station.
All coaches from Barnstaple to Bristol are operated by National Express, which has a part British and a part multinational ownership. The National Express fleet is made up of modern and comfortable coaches with standard onboard facilities of air conditioning or heating, WiFi and toilets. Some coaches also have individual power outlets.
Direct coaches to Bristol from Barnstaple take approximately three hours ten minutes to make the journey while connecting routes have an actual journey time of just under three hours and a short waiting time for transfers. Connections are all made at Taunton.
The timetable for coaches from Barnstaple to Bristol varies throughout the week but there is one direct departure every day and one or two connecting routes in operation. All departures are in the morning.
Departure bus station: All coaches to Bristol from Barnstaple start their journey at the Barnstaple Silver Street Bus Station. This is centrally located near the junction of Queen Street and Silver Street while the town centre and Barnstaple Train Station are both just a short walk away. It is served by taxis and local buses as well as long-distance buses. Among the facilities at Barnstaple Silver Street Bus Station are toilets, a waiting room, ATMs, food shops, fast food kiosks and a coffee shop.
Arrival bus station: Coaches from Barnstaple to Bristol complete their journey at Bristol Marlborough Street Bus Station, which can be found in the Haymarket district of the town. It is just a short walk from the city-centre shops and the attractions of the River Severn waterfront. Bus station facilities include toilets, a waiting room, a newsagent, coffee shop and food kiosks.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barnstaple to Bristol by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bristol, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Barnstaple to Bristol buses use the Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) to Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) station pair, with some services arriving at Bristol, Airport Bus Station. Use this guide to compare Barnstaple and Bristol bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station). ATMs are available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station).
Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station).
Available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station): Ramp and accessible toilets available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need