- Recommended
Barnstaple Museum
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bridgwater to Barnstaple among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 25m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £14, while a coach costs an average of £31.
Distance: 74 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£14 Average Price Cheapest | £31 Average Price | £17 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 25m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bridgwater to Barnstaple:
A train is £17 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Bridgwater to Barnstaple costing on average £31.
Other travel options to Barnstaple take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 8m.
Tickets start at around £14 compared to roughly £17 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £2. The journey takes 1h 55m versus 1h 15m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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.
Trains from Bridgwater to Barnstaple run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 06:02, the last at 20:41. The fastest train covers the 74 km distance in 2h 24m.
Distance 74 km |
Average train duration 1h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 2h 24m |
First train 6:02 |
Last train 20:41 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Barnstaple — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barnstaple trip today.
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Contemporary art gallery inside The Burton, showing changing exhibitions and craft-focused displays in a central modern venue.
Family-focused heritage attraction with model railways, transport displays and interactive exhibits linked to local engineering history.
Long traffic-free walking and cycling route on a former railway line, linking Barnstaple with estuary scenery and nearby villages.
Riverside park with gardens, play areas and open lawns, popular for relaxed walks beside the River Taw near the town centre.
Historic shopping street with period buildings, independent shops and a strong sense of Barnstaple’s traditional market-town character.
A rich Devon cream tea of scones, clotted cream and jam. In Devon tradition, cream goes on before jam, making it a local point of pride.
Small sweet buns flavoured with dried fruit, lemon and spice. Traditionally eaten in Devon around festivals and with tea.
A lightly curried rice dish with fish, often smoked haddock, plus eggs and butter. Popular across Devon as a hearty seaside supper.
Popular Turkish restaurant known for grilled meats, meze and warm service. Lively yet comfortable for casual dinners in town.
Established town-centre bistro serving British and European dishes in a relaxed, polished setting. Good for lunch or an easy evening meal.
Long-running Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and classic mains. Friendly, dependable and suited to families and groups.
Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining cost less than in major tourist cities, while local buses and casual meals are fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Barnstaple railway station -> Barnstaple Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bridgwater to Barnstaple by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Barnstaple, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bridgwater to Barnstaple trains use the Bridgwater to Barnstaple station pair. Use this guide to compare Bridgwater and Barnstaple train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bridgwater has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bridgwater.
Ticket office support is available at Bridgwater.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bridgwater: Parking, WC.
Available at Bridgwater: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bridgwater: Staff help available: No, Step free access note: Step-free category B3 station – “Some step-free access, may be in one direction only.”Platform 1 (Taunton bound) has step free access. Platform 2 (Bristol bound) has step free access, however, due to severe incline from train to platform, ramp assistance onto the train is not available. If you need assistance travelling from this platform, please speak to our Passenger Assist team on 0800 197 1329. Access between platforms are via local roads as Platform 2 can only be accessed via a footbridge on station. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Barnstaple has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food options include: Station Masters Cafe
Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barnstaple: Parking, WC.
Available at Barnstaple: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - step free access available to the platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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