- 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.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bristol to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to Bolton will cost around £67 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £53.
On Mon 02 Nov, we found 4 trains from Bristol to Bolton, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 237 km distance in an average of 4 h 21 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 52 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 45 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.

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||
Trains from Bristol to Bolton run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £27 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:54, the last at 20:33. The fastest train covers the 237 km distance in 3h 4m.
Distance 237 km |
Average train duration 3h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 4m |
First train 5:54 |
Last train 20:33 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Bristol to Bolton.
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Bolton trains for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C47979+ G38980+ W33063+ NT202200 | 13:19 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h42 | 19:01 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
G01078+ C50047+ G38984+ G89054 | 13:31 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h35 | 19:06 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
W29792+ C00183+ G38988+ G89056 | 14:31 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h35 | 20:06 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
C47980+ G38988+ W33365+ NT202500 | 15:15 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h44 | 20:59 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
W29795+ C50040+ G38992+ G89603 | 15:31 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h49 | 21:20 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
C47981+ G38992+ W33290+ NT202700 | 16:15 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 7h01 | 23:16 Bolton station (BON) | 3 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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 Station -> Bolton Town Centre
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Bolton.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Bolton trains use the Bristol Temple Meads to Bolton station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Bolton train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bristol Temple Meads has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: The Pasty Shop, Starbucks, Upper Crust, Pumpkin Café, Hart's Bakery
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located near Platform 3.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:30 - 21:30, Sun: 06:45 - 21:30. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bristol Temple Meads: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bristol Temple Meads: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bristol Temple Meads: Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators. .
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Bristol City Center, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol City Center, Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Center.
Bolton is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bolton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bolton.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bolton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bolton: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A Station, this station is scooter friendly, a scooter permit is required for travel, Level access through the ticket barriers to an overpass and via lifts to all platforms. Lifts available from first to last trains, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Check train stations information for Bristol and Bolton, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need