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Compare train, bus, and flight for London to Bolton
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €10. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €10, and a flight costs an average of €60.
Distance: 278 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€25 Average price Cheapest | €86 Average price | €162 Average price |
5h 51m Average total duration 5h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration 2h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 4m Average total duration Fastest 1h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom London to Bolton
How to get from London to Bolton by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from London to Bolton is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

Cheapest

Fastest

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How to Travel from London to Bolton?
It's easy to make the trip from London to Bolton. There are various ways to travel, and affordable fares are available all the time. Travellers can book National Express coaches, take Virgin Trains, or even fly to nearby Manchester Airport with British Airways. Flights are technically the fastest option, taking around an hour, while trains are the most frequent option, and reach Bolton in 2 hours 25 minutes. Buses represent the cheapest way to travel, and the fastest services take about 5 hours 40 minutes.
What is the Cheapest Way To Get from London to Bolton?
Taking the bus is almost always the cheapest way to travel from London to Bolton. National Express offers affordable fares for its direct services from London Victoria, which reach central Bolton in between 5 hours 40 minutes and just over 7 hours. There are 4-5 departures every day, and almost all run into the heart of Bolton without any changes along the way.
What is the Fastest Way to Travel from London to Bolton?
If speed is the most important factor when travelling from London to Bolton, flights or trains will be preferable to buses. Virgin Trains run from London Euston to Bolton in between 2 hours 25 minutes and 3 hours, and there are over 40 departures every day. A change will be needed, usually in Manchester. British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Manchester take 1 hour and leave 2 to 6 times per day. But when transfers to Bolton from Manchester are factored in, flying is often not much quicker than taking the train.
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Travel from London to Bolton by Train
Virgin Trains operates a daily service to Bolton from central London via either Manchester or Stockport. Trains depart from London Euston multiple times every hour, and there are over 40 services every day. Journey times range from 2 hours 25 minutes to over 3 hours, depending on changes. Euston is easily accessible, thanks to overground rail, London Underground, and bus connections. Most trains arrive at Bolton Station, on Trinity Street in the city centre. Some also arrive at Hall I' Th' Wood Station: a good option for those headed to northern Bolton.
Travel from London to Bolton by Bus
National Express runs a direct bus service from London Victoria Coach Station in west London, a 5- to 10-minute walk from Victoria Station. They then arrive at Bolton Bus Station, which is 100 metres from the city centre. There are 4 to 5 departures every day, from morning until late evening, and journey times vary from 5 hours 30 minutes to over 7 hours. Most buses run direct with no changes, but a couple of daily services include a quick change, generally in Manchester.
Travel from London to Bolton by Plane
Flying to Bolton directly isn't possible, but Manchester Airport is 20 miles away, so it's definitely an option. Every day, British Airways schedules 2 to 6 direct flights from London Heathrow to Manchester Airport, which take just over an hour. Fast transfers are available from central London to Heathrow via train, which takes 15 minutes, and National Express buses from Manchester Airport to Bolton take 1 hour. So total journey durations can be as low as 2 hours 15 minutes, slightly faster than the quickest trains.
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FAQs: Travel from London to Bolton
Travel to Bolton easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Bolton.

This is compared to other travel options from London to Bolton:
A bus is €21 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Bolton costing on average €30.
A bus is €50 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Bolton costing on average €60.
Other travel options to Bolton take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 27m.
Bus takes on average 4h 30m.
- Around 10 flights per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 6 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Bolton as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Manchester Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from London Euston (EUS) and arrive in Bolton station (BON).
- Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
- Travel with British Airways to go to Bolton by flight.
- Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus to go to Bolton by bus.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains to go to Bolton by train.
- 6 direct flights per day with British Airways.
- 6 direct buses per day with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Travelling from London to Bolton: related information
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