- Must visit
Tate St Ives
Major modern art museum with sea-facing setting and rotating exhibitions. A top stop for British modernism and St Ives artistic history.
Cheapest price on Sep 08
$19
Average ticket price on Sep 08
$24
Fastest journey on Sep 08
5 h 15 m
Average journey duration on Sep 08
6 h 16 m
Buses on Sep 08
5
Distance
246 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bristol to St Ives is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to St Ives will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
On Tue, Sep 08, we found 5 buses from Bristol to St Ives, including 5 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 08 the direct buses cover the 246 km distance in an average of 6 h 16 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
On Tue, Sep 08 the slowest buses will take 7 h 5 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX104
NX104
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX104
NX104Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to St Ives among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $39 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 32m. 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 $39, while a train costs an average of $80.
Distance: 152 miles (246 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $80 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 51m Average total duration 6h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration Fastest 4h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg 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 St Ives:
A bus is $42 (€34) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to St Ives costing on average $80 (€65).
Other travel options to St Ives take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 21m.
Tickets start at around $39 (€31) compared to roughly $81 (€66) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $42 (€34). The journey takes 6h 21m versus 3h 21m 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.
Direct services are operated by National Express, FlixBus.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to St Ives buses for today, Monday, September 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:25 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h15 | 12:40 AM Penryn, Falmouth University | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, September 8 | |||||
FlixBus | 3:15 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h45 | 9:00 AM Penzance, Station Road | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:10 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h15 | 5:25 PM Penzance, Station Road | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX104 | 1:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h05 | 8:05 PM Crowlas, A30 | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX104 | 1:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 7h00 | 8:00 PM St Erth, A30 | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 St Ives run on average 7 times per day, taking around 6h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $19 (€15) if you book in advance.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 152 miles (246 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 152 miles (246 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price $19 (€15) |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 5h 10m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of St Ives — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Ives trip today.
Major modern art museum with sea-facing setting and rotating exhibitions. A top stop for British modernism and St Ives artistic history.
Barbara Hepworth’s preserved studio and garden display her sculptures in the place she lived and worked. Essential for art lovers.
Compact museum covering fishing, mining, maritime, and social history. It gives valuable context to the town beyond its beaches and galleries.
Golden crescent beach backed by Tate St Ives and surfing waves. One of the town’s most famous and scenic places to walk and linger.
Long sandy beach east of the center with broad bay views. Popular for swimming, walks, and a quieter atmosphere than the harbour.
Historic maze of narrow lanes and cottages near the harbour. It captures the old fishing-town character that gives St Ives its charm.
A rich Cornish fish stew of mixed local seafood in a saffron broth. It is a classic coastal dish linked closely with Cornwall’s fishing heritage.
Cornwall’s famous baked pastry with beef, potato, swede and onion. Traditionally made as a portable meal for miners and still widely loved locally.
A split bread roll filled with local pilchards or sardines. It reflects St Ives fishing traditions and is a simple, classic Cornish seaside lunch.
A Celebrated beachside restaurant with refined Cornish seafood, tasting menus and sea views. Ideal for a special meal in St Ives.
A Popular seafood restaurant and fishmonger near the harbour, known for very fresh Cornish fish in a relaxed modern setting.
A Long-established bakery and cafe famous for Cornish pasties, saffron cake and other regional bakes. Good for a traditional quick bite.
Moderate for UK seaside resorts. Summer stays cost more, but dining and local buses are similar to other Cornwall tourist towns.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to St Ives 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 St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to St Ives buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to St Erth, A30 station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and St Ives bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need