- Must visit
The Higgins Bedford
Bedford's main museum covers local history, archaeology and communities. A strong first stop for understanding the town and wider county.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Bristol to Bedford
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£19
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£27
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
4 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
4 h 44 m
Buses on 05 Sept
9
Distance
165 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bristol to Bedford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to Bedford will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £19.
Fast coaches
To travel from Bristol to Bedford you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus18:557h35Stoke Gifford, UWE East Gate2:30Bressingham Gate£191One-way1 change- FlixBus · FlixBus16:205h15Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)21:35Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£201One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus2:104h55Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)7:05Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£201One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus4:354h30Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)9:05Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£271One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus19:356h55Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)2:30Bressingham Gate£271One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus4:354h30Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)9:05Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£271One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus13:154h40Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)17:55Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£391One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus14:104h45Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)18:55Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£341One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus15:254h50Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)20:15Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£321One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus2:104h55Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)7:05Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station£201One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Bristol to Bedford
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to Bedford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 3h 38m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £63.
Distance: 165 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£18 Average Price Cheapest | £63 Average Price | £42 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 38m Average total duration Fastest 3h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 40m Average total duration 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Bristol to Bedford is a coach with an average price of £18.
This is compared to other travel options from Bristol to Bedford:
A coach is £45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to Bedford costing on average £63.
The fastest way to travel from Bristol to Bedford is by coach with an average journey time of 3h 8m.
Other travel options to Bedford take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 10m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bristol and Bedford including taking a train and coach.
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 £18 compared to roughly £42 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £25. The journey takes 3h 8m versus 2h 49m 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
Bristol to Bedford bus times
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Bedford coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23:50 Bristol | 5h20 | 5:10 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:10 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h55 | 7:05 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:35 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h30 | 9:05 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h55 | 15:10 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 13:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h40 | 17:55 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:10 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h45 | 18:55 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 15:25 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 4h50 | 20:15 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:20 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h15 | 21:35 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:55 Stoke Gifford, UWE East Gate | 7h35 | 2:30 Bressingham Gate | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 19:35 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h55 | 2:30 Bressingham Gate | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bristol to Bedford by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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.
Sat
05 Sept
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
08 Sept
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09 Sept
09 Sept
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10 Sept
10 Sept
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11 Sept
11 Sept
Why should you book Bristol to Bedford coaches with Omio?
FlixBus operates all coaches services from Bristol to Bedford.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bristol to Bedford.
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- 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 FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bristol to Bedford.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Bristol to Bedford.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Bristol to Bedford
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Bristol to Bedford run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £11 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:50, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 165 km distance in 3h 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 3h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 3h 15m |
First bus 0:50 |
Last bus 22:30 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
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: FlixBus from Bristol to BedfordYou can travel by bus between Bristol to Bedford with FlixBus for as low as £11. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
3h 15m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£11
FlixBus frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.
Complete guide to Bedford
Things to do in Bedford
Discover the best of Bedford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bedford trip today.
- Recommended
John Bunyan Museum
Compact museum inside John Bunyan Meeting telling the story of the Bedford writer and preacher. Useful for literary and religious history.
The Eagle Gallery
Small independent gallery showcasing changing contemporary exhibitions. Worth a visit for local creative talent and a quieter art stop in the town centre.
- Must visit
The Embankment
Tree-lined riverside promenade beside the Great Ouse. It is one of Bedford's classic walks, with bridges, memorials and broad views of the water.
- Recommended
Russell Park
Central urban park with lawns, play areas and riverside paths. A practical stop for relaxing between sights and enjoying the water's edge.
- Recommended
Priory Country Park
Spacious park with sports facilities, open grass and access to the river. Popular with locals and useful for a longer walk away from the busiest streets.
Bedford Clanger
A spiced puff pastry turnover filled with curried mutton or beef. Brought by Bedford’s Italian community, it is the town’s best-known speciality.
Sweet Bedford Clanger
The sweet version of the Bedford Clanger, usually filled with jam or apple. It reflects the town’s baking tradition and local lunchbox heritage.
Steak And Kidney Pudding
A rich steamed suet pudding with beef and kidney. A classic English comfort dish long associated with traditional pubs and family cooking in Bedfordshire.
Anatolia
Well-known Turkish restaurant with grilled meats, meze and a lively but polished atmosphere in Bedford town centre.
The River Room
Stylish riverside restaurant and bar serving modern British and European dishes in a relaxed setting by the Great Ouse.
Prego
Established Spanish tapas restaurant known for small plates, sangria and a warm, bustling atmosphere near the centre.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for England: stays and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly manageable for most visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 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 is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxi tips are optional, often rounding up. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Traveline
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
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- Day pass
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To the city centre
Bedford Bus Station -> St Paul's Square, Bedford
- Distance
- 0.6 km
- Travel time
- 10 min
- Bedford Borough Council states bus services are run by independent operators, so fares vary by operator and route.
- Bedford Bus Station is a short walk from both Bedford town centre and Bedford railway station.
FAQs: Bristol to Bedford coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Bedford 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 Bedford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Bristol to Bedford can start from as little as £11 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Bristol to Bedford is £18; 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 Bristol to Bedford is 3h 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 Bristol to Bedford leaves at 0:50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Bristol to Bedford leaves at 22:30.
There are 6 coaches a day from Bristol to Bedford which require at least one change with FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Bristol to Bedford, you can count on FlixBus for the best way to get you to Bedford. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Bristol and Bedford and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Bristol , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), Stoke Gifford, UWE East Gate . When arriving in Bedford , you can end your route in coach stations like Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station, Luton, Dunstable Road (Challney), Northampton, Saxon Avenue / Wake Way (Grange Park), Northampton, Town Centre, Bressingham Gate.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station, located 1 away from the city centre.
A trip to Bedford from Bristol is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Bristol to Bedford is June.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bristol and Bedford including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Bristol to Bedford:
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Bristol to Bedford for coach company FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Bristol to Bedford depends on the coach companies:
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company FlixBus.
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 Bristol to Bedford.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Bristol to Bedford:
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Bristol to Bedford:
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Bristol to Bedford. The following conditions apply:
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Bristol to Bedford with the following coach company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Bristol to Bedford with the following coach company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Bristol to Bedford with the following coach company: FlixBus.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Bristol and Bedford
Most Bristol to Bedford buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Bedford bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Bristol
Arrival bus stations in Bedford
Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)Bristol Bus Station (Bay 19), Marlborough Street 15, BS1 3ES
City-centre transport
Getting to Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) from Bristol city centre
Bus76, X6, X1, 39, 75, X9, X4, 73, X39, 522, X6a, X1a · 4m · £2 · every ~156 min
Most popular bus connections from Bristol
More options for your journey from Bristol to Bedford
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Bedford and Bristol
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