Bristol to Bournemouth bus with National Express

Fri 04 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Bristol to Bournemouth

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 04 Sept

Cheapest price on 04 Sept

£27

Average ticket price on 04 Sept

£45

Fastest journey on 04 Sept

5 h

Average journey duration on 04 Sept

5 h 19 m

Buses on 04 Sept

28

Distance

96 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Bristol to Bournemouth will cost around £45 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £27.

Fast coaches

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    18:206h15
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    0:35Bournemouth, Coach Station
    £271One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX040 · NX035
    19:106h35
    Bristol, University Queens Road
    1:45Bournemouth, Coach Station
    £271One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX040 · NX035
    4:306h05
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    10:35Bournemouth, Coach Station
    £271One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX040 · NX035
    19:006h00
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    1:00Bournemouth, Coach Station
    £271One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX040 · NX035
    17:156h05
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    23:20Bournemouth, Coach Station
    £291One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Bristol to Bournemouth

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to Bournemouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 58m. 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 £19, while a train costs an average of £40.

Distance: 96 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£19

Average Price

Cheapest

£40

Average Price

£29

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 38m

Average total duration

5h 8m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 18m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

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 Bristol to Bournemouth is a coach with an average price of £19.

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

A coach is £21 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to Bournemouth costing on average £40.

The fastest way to travel from Bristol to Bournemouth is by train with an average journey time of 2h 28m.

Other travel options to Bournemouth take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 8m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bristol and Bournemouth 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 £19 compared to roughly £29 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £10. The journey takes 5h 8m versus 2h 18m 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 Bournemouth bus times

The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Bournemouth coaches for today, Thursday 3 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National ExpressNX200 · NX03519:50 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h55
1:45 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03521:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h05
3:05 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
Friday 4 September
National ExpressNX202 · NX0353:50 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h40
9:30 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX0354:30 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h05
10:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX202 · NX0355:50 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h45
11:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus6:10 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h00
12:10 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX0357:30 Bristol, University Queens Road
7h20
14:50 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX202 · NX0358:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h05
13:05 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus8:25 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h55
14:20 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX200 · NX0359:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h50
14:50 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX0359:05 Bristol, University Queens Road
7h30
16:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX200 · NX03511:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h35
16:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus11:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h00
16:15 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03512:55 Bristol, University Queens Road
7h30
20:25 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX200 · NX03513:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h50
18:50 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus13:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h45
19:00 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX202 · NX03514:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h55
19:55 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus14:10 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h20
19:30 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03514:35 Bristol, University Queens Road
7h10
21:45 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX200 · NX03515:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h05
21:20 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus15:25 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
5h35
21:00 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus16:20 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h30
22:50 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX202 · NX03516:30 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h05
22:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03517:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h05
23:20 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX201 · NX03518:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h25
0:25 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus18:20 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h15
0:35 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03519:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
6h00
1:00 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX040 · NX03519:10 Bristol, University Queens Road
6h35
1:45 Bournemouth, Coach Station1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bristol to Bournemouth 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.

Fri
04 Sept
Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept

Why should you book Bristol to Bournemouth coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as FlixBus or Megabus offer coaches services from Bristol to Bournemouth.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bristol to Bournemouth.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Bristol to Bournemouth.
  • 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bristol to Bournemouth.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Bristol to Bournemouth.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Bristol to Bournemouth.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Bristol to Bournemouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Bristol to Bournemouth run on average 22 times per day, taking around 5h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 96 km distance in 5h 20m.

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
96 km
Average bus duration
5h 8m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Buses per day
22
Fastest bus
5h 20m
First bus
0:50
Last bus
23:50
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Thu
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, FlixBus, Megabus from Bristol to BournemouthYou can travel by bus between Bristol to Bournemouth with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for as low as £13. 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
5h 20m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£13
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.

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
5h 35m
Cheapest National Express Price
£13
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.

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Megabus Duration
6h 50m
Cheapest Megabus Price
£9
Luggage included
One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.

Complete guide to Bournemouth

Things to do in Bournemouth

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

  • Must visit

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Town-centre museum with local history, archaeology and changing exhibitions in a Victorian villa beside Bournemouth's gardens.

  • Recommended

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

Small local museum on Hengistbury Head covering archaeology, wildlife and the headland's long human history in a scenic coastal setting.

The Gallery at The Library

Free gallery inside Bournemouth Library showing contemporary art exhibitions, talks and touring displays in a central location.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK seaside resort. Hotels rise in summer, but dining and local buses are usually cheaper than in London or Bath.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a casual meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is fine in cafés.

FAQs: Bristol to Bournemouth coach

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

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Bristol to Bournemouth can start from as little as £13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Bristol to Bournemouth is £19; 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 Bournemouth is 5h 20m to travel the 96 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 Bournemouth leaves at 0:50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Bristol to Bournemouth leaves at 23:50.
There are 22 coaches a day from Bristol to Bournemouth which require at least one change with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Bristol to Bournemouth, you can count on National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for the best way to get you to Bournemouth. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Bristol and Bournemouth and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Bournemouth from Bristol is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 20m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Bristol to Bournemouth is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bristol and Bournemouth including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Bristol to Bournemouth:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Bristol to Bournemouth for coach company National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Bristol to Bournemouth depends on the coach companies:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
  • 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.
  • 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 National Express, 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 Bournemouth.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Bristol to Bournemouth:
  • Megabus
    • One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • 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 Bournemouth:
  • Megabus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Bristol to Bournemouth. 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 Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Bristol to Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Bristol to Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Bristol and Bournemouth

Most Bristol to Bournemouth buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Bournemouth, Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Bournemouth 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 Bournemouth
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
Bristol, University Queens RoadBeacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Bristol, University Queens Road from Bristol city centre

Bus72 · 11m · £4 · every ~8 min

Bristol, University Queens Road bus station facilities and services

Bristol, University Queens Road has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafes and eateries in vicinity.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Bristol, University Queens Road. ATMs are aTMs available at nearby locations.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Bristol, University Queens Road.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bristol, University Queens Road: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bristol, University Queens Road: Wheelchair accessible via ramps.

Bristol, Airport Bus Station
City-centre transport

Getting to Bristol, Airport Bus Station from Bristol city centre

BusFal · 19m · £10 · every ~4 min
A1 · 29m · £4 · every ~30 min
A1 · 32m · £4 · every ~30 min
A1 · 39m · £4 · every ~30 min

More options for your journey from Bristol to Bournemouth

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

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