- Recommended
Ilfracombe Museum
The town museum covers Ilfracombe's maritime, railway and social history through local artefacts, archives and changing displays.
Cheapest price on 06 Sept
£25
Average ticket price on 06 Sept
£25
Fastest journey on 06 Sept
2 h 44 m
Average journey duration on 06 Sept
2 h 44 m
Trains on 06 Sept
1
Distance
109 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bristol to Ilfracombe is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to Ilfracombe will cost around £25 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £25.
On Sun 06 Sept, we found 1 trains from Bristol to Ilfracombe, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 109 km distance in an average of 2 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 44 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 44 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to Ilfracombe among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £22 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 40m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £22, while a coach costs an average of £27.
Distance: 109 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£22 Average Price Cheapest | £27 Average Price | £36 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 40m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 22m 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 Bristol to Ilfracombe:
A train is £4 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Bristol to Ilfracombe costing on average £27.
Other travel options to Ilfracombe take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 9m.
The journey is about 12m faster (2h 10m by train vs 2h 22m by car) and roughly £14 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£22 vs £36). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Ilfracombe trains for today, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Y41500+ G01129 | Delayed 8:21 8:14Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h13 | 10:27 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
Y41505+ G01132 | Delayed 9:19 8:45Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h41 | 11:26 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
Y41510+ G01134 | Delayed 10:19 9:45Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h41 | 12:26 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
Y41514+ G01137 | Delayed 11:19 10:45Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h42 | 13:27 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
Y41518+ G01141 | Delayed 12:19 11:45Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h44 | 14:29 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
Y41522+ G01146 | Delayed 13:19 12:45Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 2h41 | 15:26 Barnstaple station (BNP) | 1 change | |
C42442 · V25803 | On time 13:54 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 4h35 | 18:29 Chapelton station (CPN) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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 Bristol to Ilfracombe run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 05:22, the last at 23:48. The fastest train covers the 109 km distance in 2h 18m.
Distance 109 km |
Average train duration 2h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 2h 18m |
First train 5:22 |
Last train 23:48 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Ilfracombe — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ilfracombe trip today.
The town museum covers Ilfracombe's maritime, railway and social history through local artefacts, archives and changing displays.
A harbour-side gallery showing Damien Hirst works and selected contemporary art in a compact but high-profile local venue.
An artist-led gallery with exhibitions, studios and workshops, making it a good stop for contemporary North Devon art.
Ilfracombe's working harbour is the town's social centre, with sea views, boats, coastal walks and easy access to key sights.
This hand-carved tunnel route leads to a sheltered beach and tidal pool, combining Victorian engineering with dramatic scenery.
A grassy cliff-top park with paths, sea views and picnic space, popular for relaxed walks above the beach and coast.
A rich fish stew from North Devon, made with mixed local fish and shellfish. A classic way to taste the area’s coastal catch.
Fresh Atlantic lobster landed on the North Devon coast, usually simply grilled or dressed to highlight the quality of local seafood.
Sweet crab from nearby waters, often served dressed, in sandwiches or with salad. It is a staple of Devon’s seaside food culture.
Harbour-side seafood restaurant known for fresh local fish and shellfish in a relaxed brasserie setting.
Well-known harbour area fish and chip shop for classic takeaway suppers, including fresh local fish.
Long-established restaurant and bar with sea views, offering seafood and British dishes in a smart but informal setting.
Moderate for a UK seaside town: stays and dining cost more in peak season, while local buses are manageable and budget eats are available.
In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional; small change is fine.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Ilfracombe 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 Ilfracombe, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Ilfracombe trains use the Bristol Temple Meads to Barnstaple station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Ilfracombe 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.
Bristol, Airport is 11 km from Bristol city centre. Public transport options include:
Bristol, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Dexters, Brunel Bar & Kitchen
Free. ATMs are available in the airport terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Bristol, Airport. Information desks are located in the main terminal.
Luggage storage is available at Bristol, Airport. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bristol, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bristol, Airport: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bristol, Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, Holiday Inn Bristol Airport, Winford Manor Hotel.
Sea Mills is 4 km from Bristol city centre. Public transport options include:
Sea Mills has practical services for this route, including Parking, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Sea Mills: Parking.
Available at Sea Mills: Bike Parking.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need