Bournemouth to Plymouth bus with National Express

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest coaches from Bournemouth to Plymouth

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£64

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£72

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

7 h 15 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

7 h 51 m

Buses on 18 Sept

8

Distance

165 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bournemouth to Plymouth is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Bournemouth to Plymouth will cost around £72 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £64.

Fast coaches

To travel from Bournemouth to Plymouth you need to make at least one change.

  • National ExpressNX035 · NX504
    6:207h45
    Bournemouth, Coach Station
    14:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £641One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX035 · NX501
    16:208h35
    Bournemouth, Coach Station
    0:55Plymouth, Coach Station
    £671One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX035 · NX504
    18:157h15
    Bournemouth, Coach Station
    1:30Plymouth, Coach Station
    £691One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX035 · NX504
    11:308h25
    Bournemouth, Coach Station
    19:55Plymouth, Coach Station
    £711One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX035 · NX406
    20:307h35
    Bournemouth, Coach Station
    4:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £721One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Bournemouth to Plymouth

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bournemouth to Plymouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £54 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 18m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £54, while a train costs an average of £73.

Distance: 165 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£54

Average Price

Cheapest

£73

Average Price

£34

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

8h 17m

Average total duration

7h 47m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 18m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 48m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 58m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Bournemouth to Plymouth is a coach with an average price of £54.

This is compared to other travel options from Bournemouth to Plymouth:

A coach is £19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bournemouth to Plymouth costing on average £73.

The fastest way to travel from Bournemouth to Plymouth is by train with an average journey time of 3h 48m.

Other travel options to Plymouth take longer:

Coach takes on average 7h 47m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bournemouth and Plymouth including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £54 compared to roughly £34 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-20.44. The journey takes 7h 47m versus 2h 58m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Bournemouth to Plymouth bus times

The table below shows live departures for Bournemouth to Plymouth coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express16:30 Bournemouth
8h00
0:30 Plymouth0 changesdirect
National Express17:15 Bournemouth
7h15
0:30 Plymouth0 changesdirect
National Express17:30 Bournemouth
8h00
1:30 Plymouth0 changesdirect
National Express20:30 Bournemouth
7h35
4:05 Plymouth0 changesdirect
Friday 18 September
National ExpressNX035 · NX5046:20 Bournemouth, Coach Station
7h45
14:05 Plymouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX035 · NX5047:55 Bournemouth, Coach Station
9h00
16:55 Plymouth, Coach Station1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bournemouth to Plymouth by coach or train

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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Bournemouth to Plymouth coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Bournemouth to Plymouth.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bournemouth to Plymouth.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bournemouth to Plymouth.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Bournemouth to Plymouth.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Bournemouth to Plymouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Bournemouth to Plymouth run on average 7 times per day, taking around 7h 47m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £39 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 165 km distance in 7h 15m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
165 km
Average bus duration
7h 47m
Cheapest ticket price
£39
Buses per day
7
Fastest bus
7h 15m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
23:15
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Bournemouth to PlymouthYou can travel by bus between Bournemouth to Plymouth with National Express for as low as £39. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
7h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£39
National Express frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Plymouth

Things to do in Plymouth

Discover the best of Plymouth — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Plymouth trip today.

  • Must visit

The Box

Plymouth’s main museum and gallery, covering local history, art, natural history and archives in a modern city-centre building.

  • Recommended

Plymouth Gin Distillery

Independent museum exploring Plymouth’s role in gin distilling, set in a historic Barbican building with tours and original features.

  • Recommended

Mayflower Museum

Small local museum on the Barbican focused on migration, seafaring and Plymouth’s links with transatlantic departures.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: dining and buses are reasonable, while hotels rise in summer and at weekends. Costs are usually lower than London but similar to other regional waterfront cities.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxi tips are usually by rounding up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Bournemouth to Plymouth coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bournemouth to Plymouth 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 Plymouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Bournemouth to Plymouth can start from as little as £39 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Bournemouth to Plymouth is £54; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth is 7h 15m to travel the 165 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth leaves at 23:15.
There are 7 coaches a day from Bournemouth to Plymouth which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Plymouth. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Bournemouth and Plymouth and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Plymouth from Bournemouth is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 7h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth is July.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bournemouth and Plymouth including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Bournemouth to Plymouth depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Bournemouth to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Bournemouth to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Bournemouth to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Bournemouth and Plymouth

Most Bournemouth to Plymouth buses use the Bournemouth, Coach Station to Plymouth, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Plymouth, Marsh Mills. Use this guide to compare Bournemouth and Plymouth bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Bournemouth
Arrival bus stations in Plymouth
Bournemouth, Coach Station
City-centre transport

Getting to Bournemouth, Coach Station from Bournemouth city centre

Bus13, 5, 6, 50, m1, 12, 13A, N5, N1, 11, 21 · 6m · £2 · every ~74 min
m1, 5, 6, 50, 13, 12, 13A, 21, 11, N5, N1 · 7m · £2 · every ~74 min

More options for your journey from Bournemouth to Plymouth

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone