- Must visit
John Taylor Bellfoundry Museum
Unique museum inside the historic bell foundry, telling the story of bellmaking and casting. A signature Loughborough attraction with working heritage nearby.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$19
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$23
Fastest journey on Sep 18
6 h 25 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
7 h 28 m
Buses on Sep 18
2
Distance
174 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bristol to Loughborough is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to Loughborough will cost around $23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 2 buses from Bristol to Loughborough, including 2 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct buses cover the 174 km distance in an average of 7 h 28 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 25 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest buses will take 8 h 30 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 Loughborough among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $51 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $51, while a train costs an average of $103.
Distance: 108 miles (174 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$51 Average price Cheapest | $103 Average price | $60 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 58m Average total duration 6h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Bristol to Loughborough:
A bus is $52 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to Loughborough costing on average $103.
Other travel options to Loughborough take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 28m.
Tickets start at around $51 compared to roughly $60 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $8. The journey takes 6h 28m versus 2h 33m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 06:05PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 12:55AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Loughborough buses for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:30 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h35 | 6:05 PM Loughborough, The Rushes | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h25 | 11:25 PM Loughborough, The Rushes | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Buses from Bristol to Loughborough run on average 2 times per day, taking around 6h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 108 miles (174 km) distance in 6h 25m.
Distance 108 miles (174 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 25m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Loughborough — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Loughborough trip today.
Unique museum inside the historic bell foundry, telling the story of bellmaking and casting. A signature Loughborough attraction with working heritage nearby.
Museum in Queen’s Park with local history, archaeology, and the famous Carillon tower. Ideal for understanding the town’s heritage in one stop.
University arts venue presenting changing exhibitions, design, and contemporary culture. A strong choice for visitors interested in current creative work.
The town’s best-known green space with formal gardens, play areas, and the Carillon tower. Ideal for a relaxing break near the centre.
Historic shopping and civic area with market-town character, regular activity, and easy access to landmarks. A practical place to start exploring Loughborough.
Attractive university campus with open lawns, public art, and notable modern architecture. A pleasant walking area showing a different side of the town.
A Leicestershire pork pie with seasoned pork and firm jelly in a hand-raised crust. Nearby Melton Mowbray made it famous and it is a classic regional snack.
Stilton made in the traditional Leicestershire style. This rich blue cheese is one of the East Midlands’ best-known foods and is widely served locally.
A red, nutmeg-spiced Leicestershire cheese with a mild, creamy taste. It is a longstanding county speciality often eaten in sandwiches or on cheeseboards.
Contemporary Indian dining with refined presentation, regional specialities, and attentive service suited to a more upscale meal.
Established Indian restaurant known for classic curries and tandoori dishes in a smart yet relaxed setting popular with locals.
Popular casual venue for burgers, wings, loaded fries, and craft beer with an energetic modern atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels are often cheaper than London, while dining and local transport are fairly typical for an English market town.
Service is often included only at some restaurants. If not, 10-12.5% is polite for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafes is optional, usually small change.
Official public transport app
The Rushes, Loughborough -> Loughborough Town Centre, Loughborough
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Loughborough by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Loughborough, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Loughborough buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Loughborough, The Rushes station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Loughborough bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Loughborough, The Rushes is 1 km from Loughborough city centre. Public transport options include:
Loughborough, The Rushes has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Loughborough, The Rushes. ATMs are available at Loughborough, The Rushes.
Ticket office support is available at Loughborough, The Rushes.
Available at Loughborough, The Rushes: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Loughborough, The Rushes: Basic accessibility features are available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need