- Must visit
Tate St Ives
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£18
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£28
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
5 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
6 h 20 m
Buses on 18 Sept
5
Distance
246 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bristol to St Ives is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to St Ives will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £18.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 buses from Bristol to St Ives, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 246 km distance in an average of 6 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 15 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX104
NX104
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX104
NX104Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to St Ives among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 39m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £17, while a train costs an average of £36.
Distance: 246 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£17 Average Price Cheapest | £36 Average Price | £59 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 44m Average total duration 6h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 39m Average total duration Fastest 4h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Bristol to St Ives:
A coach is £19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to St Ives costing on average £36.
Other travel options to St Ives take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 14m.
Tickets start at around £17 compared to roughly £59 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £42. The journey takes 6h 14m versus 3h 21m 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.
Direct services are operated by National Express, FlixBus.
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.
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to St Ives coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:10 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h15 | 17:25 Penzance, Station Road | 0 changesdirect | |
NX104 | 13:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h00 | 20:00 St Erth, A30 | 0 changesdirect | |
NX104 | 13:00 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h05 | 20:05 Crowlas, A30 | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:25 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h15 | 0:40 Penryn, Falmouth University | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
FlixBus | 3:15 Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h45 | 9:00 Penzance, Station Road | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Bristol to St Ives run on average 8 times per day, taking around 6h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
There are 6 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 246 km distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 246 km |
Average bus duration 6h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of St Ives — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Ives trip today.
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Former artists’ studio and home of Barbara Hepworth, featuring sculptures displayed in the garden and preserved rooms.
Local museum covering fishing, mining, art and maritime life, with varied exhibits that explain St Ives past.
Compact harbour area with beaches, boats, galleries and winding lanes; ideal for soaking up the town’s atmosphere.
Sheltered beach and promenade beneath Tate St Ives, loved for surfing, sunsets and easy access to the coast path.
Headland path and grassy viewpoint above the beaches, popular for sea views, picnics and watching the sunset.
Cornish pasty is a baked pastry with beef, potato, swede and onion. It is Cornwall’s best-known portable meal and strongly tied to local mining history.
Stargazy pie is a traditional Cornish fish pie, usually with pilchards baked under pastry with the fish heads showing. It is a famous local winter speciality.
Cornish sardines, often called pilchards locally, are a signature catch of Cornwall. They are prized for their freshness and long fishing heritage.
Popular traditional bakery for Cornish pasties, pies and sweet treats. A dependable stop for classic local food in casual surroundings.
Harbourside seafood restaurant known for fresh local fish and shellfish. Relaxed modern setting with strong views over St Ives harbour.
Established seafood restaurant by the harbour, focused on local catch, oysters and crab. Smart but approachable atmosphere.
St Ives is pricier than many UK seaside towns, especially in summer. Hotels, seafood meals and parking add up, though buses and simple cafés can keep costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and spare change is fine in cafés.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to St Ives 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 St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to St Ives buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Penzance, Station Road station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and St Ives bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need