- Must visit
Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Cheapest price on 30 Aug
£21
Average ticket price on 30 Aug
£41
Fastest journey on 30 Aug
5 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 30 Aug
6 h 55 m
Buses on 30 Aug
5
Distance
278 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Bolton will cost around £41 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £21.
On Sun 30 Aug, we found 5 buses from London to Bolton, including 3 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 278 km distance in an average of 6 h 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 8 h 20 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.
NX540
NX540
NX424
NX032 · NX230 · NX540
NX032 · NX230 · NX540
NX540
NX540
NX424
NX032 · NX230 · NX540
NX032 · NX230 · NX540Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £21 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 57m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, while a flight costs an average of £102.
Distance: 278 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£21 Average Price Cheapest | £61 Average Price | £102 Average Price |
6h 14m Average total duration 5h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 57m Average total duration Fastest 2h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 3m Average total duration 1h 3m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for London to Bolton coaches for today, Saturday 29 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX540 | 16:30 London, Victoria Coach Station | 5h40 | 22:10 Bolton, Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
NX424 | 23:30 London, Victoria Coach Station | 7h05 | 6:35 Bolton, Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 30 August | |||||
NX032 · NX230 · NX540 | 11:20 London, Hammersmith Bridge Road | 7h35 | 18:55 Bolton, Interchange | 2 changes | |
NX540 | 13:00 London, Victoria Coach Station | 5h55 | 18:55 Bolton, Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
NX032 · NX230 · NX540 | 13:50 London, Hammersmith Bridge Road | 8h20 | 22:10 Bolton, Interchange | 2 changes | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 London to Bolton run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 278 km distance in 4h 30m.
Distance 278 km |
Average bus duration 5h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 4h 30m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Bolton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bolton trip today.
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Independent museum telling the story of local steam, electricity and engineering through working exhibits and volunteer guides.
Art gallery and museum in a former house, showing decorative arts, paintings and objects linked to local collecting history.
Large country park with moorland views, reservoirs, walking trails and access to one of Bolton's best-known hilltop panoramas.
Popular beauty spot with a reservoir, woodland paths and open moor walks, well suited to gentle strolls or longer hikes.
Historic village area with cobbled character, old buildings and scenic access to museum grounds and woodland walks.
A hearty black pudding made in nearby Bury from pig’s blood, fat and oats. It is a defining Greater Manchester breakfast staple.
Soft bread rolls split and filled with buttered chips, often with salt and vinegar. A classic North West cheap eat loved in Bolton.
A savoury pie from nearby Wigan filled traditionally with potato, onion and meat. It reflects Lancashire’s working-class baking heritage.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving charcoal-grilled meats, mezze and fresh bread in a smart but relaxed setting.
Well-known local Indian restaurant with curries, tandoori dishes and a comfortable neighbourhood dining room.
Refined Indian dining with regional dishes and attentive service, suited to a more polished evening meal.
Bolton is usually cheaper than Manchester or London for hotels, meals and local travel, making it good value for most visitors.
Service is often included or optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Bolton Interchange -> Bolton Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most London to Bolton buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Bolton, Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange. Use this guide to compare London and Bolton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
London, Victoria Coach Station is 2 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London, Victoria Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Pret a Manger (in the station), Starbucks (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at London, Victoria Coach Station.
Available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
London, Baker Street Station is 2 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London, Baker Street Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at London, Baker Street Station. ATMs are available at London, Baker Street Station.
Ticket office support is available at London, Baker Street Station.
Available at London, Baker Street Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Baker Street Station: Ramps available for wheelchair access.
Bolton, Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food available inside.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Interchange. ATMs are aTM available near the ticket office.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Interchange.
Available at Bolton, Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Interchange: Facility is wheelchair accessible.
Bolton, Astley Bridge is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bolton, Astley Bridge has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge. ATMs are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Basic accessibility options like ramps are available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need