- Must visit
M Shed
Large harbourside museum covering Bristol’s people, industry and global links, with varied galleries and family-friendly displays.
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Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Watford to Bristol
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Watford to Bristol among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 44m. 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 £30, while a train costs an average of £56.
Distance: 154 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£30 Average Price Cheapest | £56 Average Price | £41 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 33m Average total duration 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m Average total duration Fastest 2h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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.
The cheapest way to travel from Watford to Bristol is a coach with an average price of £30.
This is compared to other travel options from Watford to Bristol:
A coach is £25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Watford to Bristol costing on average £56.
The fastest way to travel from Watford to Bristol is by train with an average journey time of 2h 14m.
Other travel options to Bristol take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 3m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Watford and Bristol 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 £30 compared to roughly £41 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £10. The journey takes 3h 3m versus 2h 11m 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.
Compare prices and tickets Watford to Bristol 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.
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Why should you book Watford to Bristol coaches with Omio?
National Express as well as First Berkshire & The Thames Valley or Arriva UK offer coaches services from Watford to Bristol.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Watford to Bristol.
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 First Berkshire & The Thames Valley or Arriva UK to find the best option for your trip from Watford to Bristol.
- 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 Watford to Bristol.
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 Watford to Bristol.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Watford to Bristol
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Watford to Bristol run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £30 but you can travel from only £19 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 03:05, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 154 km distance in 3h 0m.
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £19
Distance 154 km |
Average bus duration 3h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £30 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 3h 0m |
First bus 3:05 |
Last bus 22:30 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £19
Bus providers: National Express, First Berkshire & The Thames Valley, Arriva UK from Watford to BristolYou can travel by bus between Watford to Bristol with National Express, First Berkshire & The Thames Valley, Arriva UK for as low as £19. 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
3h 40m
Cheapest National Express Price
£30
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.
First Berkshire & The Thames Valley
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average First Berkshire & The Thames Valley Duration
3h 0m
First Berkshire & The Thames Valley frequency
8 a day
Arriva UK
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Arriva UK Duration
3h 19m
Cheapest Arriva UK Price
£30
Arriva UK frequency
4 a day
Complete guide to Bristol
Things to do in Bristol
Discover the best of Bristol — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bristol trip today.
- Must visit
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
City museum and art gallery with natural history, archaeology, applied art and paintings in a grand central building.
- Must visit
SS Great Britain
Former passenger liner turned museum ship, where visitors explore restored decks and learn about transatlantic travel and engineering.
- Must visit
Bristol Harbour
Lively floating harbour area with waterside walks, museums, boats and year-round city views, ideal for first-time visitors.
- Recommended
Queen Square
Elegant Georgian square with lawns and paths, useful as a calm stop between the old city, harbour and nearby cultural sights.
- Recommended
Stokes Croft
Colourful hillside neighbourhood famed for street art, independent character and broad views over the city from nearby green spaces.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
West Country Cider
A cider from apples grown in the surrounding West Country. Bristol’s long cider-trading history makes it a classic local drink to try in pubs and cider houses.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Cheddar Cheese
A rich cheese from Somerset, often eaten across Bristol in sandwiches, ploughman’s lunches and pub dishes. It is one of the region’s best-known traditional foods.
- Vegetarian
Bristol Bun
A traditional bun flavoured with dried fruit, spice and candied peel, linked to Bristol since the 18th century. It is a distinctive local teatime bake.
Matina
Long-running St Nicholas Market favourite serving pitta sandwiches packed with falafel, salad and sauces in a casual setting.
Bulrush
Elegant modern British dining in Clifton, with tasting menus and polished service in an intimate setting.
Pasture
Lively harbourside restaurant known for excellent steaks, burgers and strong cocktails in a smart but relaxed room.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining cost less than London, but more than many smaller cities. Buses are reasonable; central attractions and cafés can add up.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £60+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is enough. Taxis: round up or tip about 10% for good service.
First Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2.60
- Day pass
- £6.80
To the city centre
Bristol Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) -> Broadmead, Bristol
- Distance
- 0.5 km
- Travel time
- 6 min
- Contactless Tap On, Tap Off works on First Bus services and caps adult fares at the day ticket price.
- Bristol Bus & Coach Station is near Broadmead in the city centre, so walking is often quickest for central destinations.
FAQs: Watford to Bristol coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford to Bristol 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 Bristol, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Watford to Bristol can start from as little as £30 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Watford to Bristol is £30; 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 Watford to Bristol is 3h 0m to travel the 154 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 Watford to Bristol leaves at 3:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Watford to Bristol leaves at 22:30.
There are 6 coaches a day from Watford to Bristol which require at least one change with National Express, First Berkshire & The Thames Valley, Arriva UK. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Watford to Bristol, you can count on National Express, First Berkshire & The Thames Valley, Arriva UK for the best way to get you to Bristol. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Watford and Bristol and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Watford , you have various coach station options to start your route from including London, Victoria Coach Station . When arriving in Bristol , you can end your route in coach stations like Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), Stoke Gifford, UWE East Gate.Passengers board the coach most frequently from London, Victoria Coach Station, which is located around 2 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Bristol from Watford is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Watford and Bristol including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Watford to Bristol:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Watford to Bristol for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Watford to Bristol 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 Watford to Bristol.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Watford to Bristol:
- 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 Watford to Bristol:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Watford to Bristol.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Watford to Bristol with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Watford to Bristol with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Watford to Bristol with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Watford and Bristol
Most Watford to Bristol buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) station pair. Use this guide to compare Watford and Bristol bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Watford
Arrival bus stations in Bristol
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 Watford
More options for your journey from Watford to Bristol
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Bristol and Watford
Most popular bus connections
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