Buses
Local bus services in Gloucestershire provide services to local areas and across the county, with a number of routes covering the City of Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury.
Details of local bus services and timetables can be found at Stagecoach Bus
Trains
Trains in Gloucestershire serve a number of routes across the county and to other areas. There are several mainline rail routes offering local and regional services. Gloucester Station has services to London Paddington station with a journey time of approx 1 hour 55 minutes. There are local services to Cheltenham Spa, Bristol, Bath further to Cardiff and Birmingham.
Train services are provided several train operators including First Great Western; Cross Country and Arriva Trains Wales
Other railway stations in Gloucestershire include Cheltenham Spa, Stonehouse, Stroud, Lydney, Kemble and Moreton-in-Marsh.
For more information please see National Rail Enquiries
Public Transport Safety Tips
Most journeys on public transport go ahead without incident, in order to minimise the chances of any incidents, passengers may wish to consider the following safety tips:
- Be aware of your belongings at all times.
- Do not leave your bags and belongings unattended at any time.
- Stay alert and aware of your environment and those around you.
- Do not show valuables including money and jewellery in public.
- If you are carrying a bag/handbag, ensure you use a bag that has a strong good quality strap and wear it across your shoulder (not on your shoulder), with the pockets closed facing towards your waist. Carrying the bag on your shoulder makes it much easier for criminals to snatch the bag or cut the strap.
- Be careful and cautious in crowds and beware of pickpockets, do not leave anything valuable showing in public including wallets in back trouser pockets.
- Sit in carriages with other passengers do not sit in carriages with no/fewer passengers.
- Try not to use smaller/isolated stations especially at night.
- When waiting for buses, trains, boats and taxis stand with other passengers in an area that is well lit, do not stand/wait in isolated areas.
Car
There are a number of car hire firms in Gloucestershire that offer car rental services for both short and longer term car hire offering a range of vehicles from small budget cars to family cars to larger mini-buses and luxury cars.
Gloucestershire is connected to the road network via the M5. London to Gloucester by car via the M4, A419 and A417 is a drive of approx 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic. Other major roads around the county include the M50, A429, A40, and A433.
Parking in Gloucester city centre includes a number of pay and display and pay on exit car parks. Major car parks in Gloucester city centre include Eastgate Centre, Castlemeads, Gloucester Leisure Centre, Station Road, St Michael’s Square, Gloucester Docks Southgate Moorings and Kings Square Multi-storey.
There are Park & Ride schemes in operation in both Cheltenham and Gloucester, where drivers can park in designated areas in the outskirts of the city and town centre and get a bus in to Cheltenham town or Gloucester city centre. For more information please see: Gloucestershire Park & Ride
Drivers should note there may be driving restrictions in and around the city and town centres. It is recommended visitors ensure they fully understand the local parking rules before parking and help avoid unnecessary fines and worry.
Coach
Gloucestershire is accessible by coach with regular coach services available to Gloucestershire from London Victoria coach station, the journey time from London to Gloucester is between 3 hours and 3 hours 45 minutes depending on the service, time of day & traffic. There are also services from London to Cheltenham Spa, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury. Coach services are provided by National Express.
Megabus provides services from London Victoria Coach Station to Gloucester and Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, the approx journey time is between 3 hours and 4 hours depending on the service, time of day and traffic.
Whilst travelling by coach to Gloucestershire is usually more time consuming than using rail and road, it is usually more cost effective.
Air
Bristol Airport is located in 45 miles south west of Gloucester with a journey time of approx one hour by car. The airport caters for a number of domestic and international flights.
Birmingham Airport is located 60 miles north of Gloucester via the M5 and M42, the airport caters for a number of local and European flights.
For more information on public transport in Gloucestershire including information on public transport and timetables please see: Gloucestershire Transport from Gloucestershire Council
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
