The cheapest and fastest trains from Cheltenham to London
Cheapest price
£46
Average price
£49
Fastest journey
1 h 56 m
Average duration
2 h 5 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cheltenham to London is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cheltenham to London will cost around £49 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £46.
Of the 6 trains that leave Cheltenham for London every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 142 km distance in an average of 2 h 5 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 56 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 14 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.
P228249:031h56Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:59London Paddington (PAD)£461One-way0 changes
P2282510:031h56Cheltenham Spa (CNM)11:59London Paddington (PAD)£461One-way0 changes
C72652+
P227989:322h14Cheltenham Spa (CNM)11:46London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
C74850+
P227968:292h07Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:36London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
C75054+
P227958:012h13Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:14London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
P228249:031h56Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:59London Paddington (PAD)£461One-way0 changes
P2282510:031h56Cheltenham Spa (CNM)11:59London Paddington (PAD)£461One-way0 changes
C74850+
P227968:292h07Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:36London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
C75054+
P227958:012h13Cheltenham Spa (CNM)10:14London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
C72652+
P227989:322h14Cheltenham Spa (CNM)11:46London Paddington (PAD)£501One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cheltenham to London
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cheltenham to London among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £6, and a train costs an average of £23.
Distance: 142 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£49 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 3m Average total duration Fastest 2h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 25m Average total duration 2h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cheltenham to London train times
The table below shows live departures for Cheltenham to London trains for today, Thursday 2 April. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P22834 | On time 18:02 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 1h59 | 20:01 London Paddington (PAD) | 0 changesdirect | |
P22835 | On time 19:02 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h05 | 21:07 London Paddington (PAD) | 0 changesdirect | |
P22836 | On time 20:02 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 1h59 | 22:01 London Paddington (PAD) | 0 changesdirect | |
P22957 · P22595 | On time 21:16 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h23 | 23:39 London Paddington (PAD) | 1 change | |
| Friday 3 April | |||||
C75054+ P22795 | On time 7:01 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h13 | 9:14 London Paddington (PAD) | 1 change | |
C74850+ P22796 | On time 7:29 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h07 | 9:36 London Paddington (PAD) | 1 change | |
P22824 | On time 8:03 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 1h56 | 9:59 London Paddington (PAD) | 0 changesdirect | |
C72652+ P22798 | On time 8:32 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h14 | 10:46 London Paddington (PAD) | 1 change | |
P22825 | On time 9:03 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 1h56 | 10:59 London Paddington (PAD) | 0 changesdirect | |
C72656+ P22800 | On time 9:29 Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h20 | 11:49 London Paddington (PAD) | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cheltenham to London by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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 Cheltenham to London trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of South Western Railway or first_great_western to find the best option for your trip from Cheltenham to London.
- 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cheltenham to London.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of South Western Railway or first_great_western to find the best option for your trip from Cheltenham to London.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cheltenham to London.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cheltenham to London?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cheltenham to London
Trains from Cheltenham to London run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £23 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:17, the last at 22:33. The fastest train covers the 142 km distance in 1h 56m.
Distance 142 km |
Average train duration 2h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £23 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 56m |
First train 3:17 |
Last train 22:33 |
Train companies: Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, first_great_western from Cheltenham to London trainsGreat Western Railway, South Western Railway, first_great_western trains will get you between Cheltenham and London from £6. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
first_great_western
Trains from Cheltenham to London: Journey Details
There are two sensible ways to travel between Cheltenham and London by train. The first is a direct stopping service operated by First Great Western, the second is a fast service with one change at Swindon aboard London Midland. Each route operates hourly and the journey time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes for both (depending on connections). On weekday mornings, the first train departs Cheltenham Spa just before 06.00 a.m. arriving in London Paddington after just 08.00. Last trains are more complicated and will often involve waiting for connecting trains. One should anticipate departing Cheltenham before 09.00 p.m. if hoping to reach London on the same day. Weekend services are fewer but use the same routes and franchises. Advance tickets are available on trains from Cheltenham to London at a favourable price.
Taking the Train from Cheltenham
Cheltenham Spa station is just outside the town centre with good local transport links. It is within a short bus or taxi ride from the main attractions of town including the racecourse, ladies college and the famous literary festival.
Getting into London by Train
When arriving at Paddington, day trippers or business travellers can quickly and easily transfer onto the District, Circle or Hammersmith & City lines of the London underground to reach any final destination in London. As a guide, it will take a further 25 minutes from the station to reach Theatre Land, and an hour for the Olympic Park in Stratford. There are also frequent buses serving Oxford Street, other London rail termini and the West End of London with its theatres, restaurants and shopping opportunities. These services operate throughout the night, albeit with reduced frequency. A black taxi rank is also situated above Paddington's platform 12 with lift and escalator access.
FAQs: Cheltenham to London train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cheltenham to London 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 London, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cheltenham and London
- 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible from Queens Road.
- The Railway Inn
- The Coconut Tree
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- £0.50
- Queens Hotel Cheltenham
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cheltenham
- Hotel du Vin & Bistro Cheltenham
- Located near the main entrance
- 300 places, covered
- Located near the main entrance
- Free
- The station has a main concourse with ticketing facilities and waiting areas, with platforms accessible via lifts and stairs.
- Bus: Several local bus services available
- Taxi: Taxi rank outside the station
- 24/7
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Luggage lockers are located near the taxi stand beside Platform 11.
- Type of shops available: News agent Flower stall Shoe repairer Wide range of shops Mini supermarket Pharmacy Convenience store High street shops Off Licence Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Wasabi
- The Beer House
- Barburrito
- Upper Crust
- The Mad Bishop & Bear (Fullers)
- The Pasty Shop
- Burger King
- Pret a Manger
- The Savanna
- Soboro Bakery
- & more
- Taxi: The taxi deck is situated above Platform 12 and is accessed via the concourse and platform 12, which has escalators and lifts to the upper level to the covered marshalled taxi rank. A queuing system is in operation. There is also a separate collection point for pre-booked taxis and a drop off point
- Accessible taxis: All London Black Cabs can accommodate wheelchair passengers without wheelchair users having to leave their wheelchair. There is also a separate collection point for prebooked taxis also further away from the lifts.
- Wheelchair access, escalators, elevators.
- Toilets Location: Accessible toilets are located on Platforms' 1 and 12. A Changing Places facility is located on Platform 12. There are dedicated breastfeeding rooms / Parent & Baby rooms; within the Ladies toilets on Platform 1 within the public toilets on Platform 12.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: Accessible toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 12.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Hilton London Paddington
- Mercure London Paddington Hotel
- The Pilgrm
- Waiting rooms location: Platform 12
- 24/7
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: On platform 8/9 and 10
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Located near Platform 1.
- Underground lines: Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, District Line, Hammersmith Line
- Bus lines: N7, 23, 27, N27, 36, 205, N205, 332, 7, 46, A1, 18, N18
- Train lines: Great Western Main Line, Heathrow Express
- Metro: Tube Lines.
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 05:00 - 23:59
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Level access to platforms, lifts to airport facilities. Ticket Office is step free. Wheelchair users can board trains with ease as the platforms are level with the trains.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Onward travel information: National Rail trains serving London Paddington National Express coaches to Victoria Coach Station and Gatwick Airport London Underground
- Metro: Connection available with the London Underground (Piccadilly Line)
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 05:00 - 23:59
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Level access to platforms, lifts to airport facilities. Ticket Office is step free. Wheelchair users can board trains with ease as the platforms are level with the trains.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
Most popular train connections from Cheltenham
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