How to Get to Stonehenge from London

Stonehenge is one of the worlds greatest and oldest mysteries. Everybody knows about it but nobody knows exactly what it is. Historians, philosophers and pundits have been hypothesizing what it means or what it was for centuries but nobody really knows. That’s what’s cool about Stonehenge. It’s a mystery.

Stonehenge is located some 90 miles or so from Central London. How to get to Stonehenge from London is another question that needs to be answered. The simplest answer is there are three ways how to get to Stonehenge from London.

Train is perhaps the fastest way and also likely the most expensive. The train leaves from Waterloo Station in London every 30-60 minutes and takes about an hour and a half to Salisbury. Prices vary but riding the rails in Great Britain is rarely the cheapest option. From Salisbury, you will have to get a cab or bus to Stonehenge and then one back as well.

Bus is another option and the one I used the last time I went to Stonehenge about 12 years ago. You catch the bus form Victoria Station in Central London and you have a few options. There are Stonehenge tours that can be combined with stops in Salisbury, Bath and other parts of Southwest England. I did that the last time and it was good, just very time consuming-like all day. The other thing about the direct is it may let you out in Amesbury where you’ll have to walk about 2 miles to get to Stonehenge or catch a cab.

For me, hiring or renting a car is the best way to do it. However, renting cars in London and much of Europe is different than renting a car in the US. You have to specify automatic if that’s what you want to drive. You also then have to reconfirm with the actual pick up location that they have these cars available as central reservations and the offices are not well connected. Trust me on this one!

Once you are all square, rental car is the best way to get to Stonehenge. Just get a GPS or even better use the GPS on your smart phone to show you the way. In 75-90 minutes you’ll be at Stonehenge. It’s that easy. Plus with a car, you don’t have to wait for annoying tour groups, endless pictures, souvenir buyers and of course just wasted down time from bus drivers. You are the master of your own domain-not to be dramatic but it is true!

Once at Stonehenge, enjoy it, walk around it, and see it from all sides. Admire the unknown on the side of the road in a field. Be baffled and amazed and try to put yourself back centuries to Druidian times and figure out what they were doing. That’s the best thing about sites like Stonehenge. Trying to put yourself there, ignoring the modern day and the annoying crowds. That’s why I liked Stonehenge and I am glad I went back.

I just wanted to write this as a little advice on how to get to Stonehenge from London because there are a few options but as always, I think renting a car is best. It’s freedom to what you want and to explore the site as long or as short as you like!