Bolton to Watford train with Avanti West Coast

Sun, Sep 20
+ Add return
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Bolton to Watford

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Sep 20

Cheapest price on Sep 20

$80

Average ticket price on Sep 20

$105

Fastest journey on Sep 20

4 h 2 m

Average journey duration on Sep 20

4 h 9 m

Trains on Sep 20

10

Distance

255 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bolton to Watford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Bolton to Watford will cost around $105 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $80.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Bolton to Watford without transferring at least 2 times.

  • Avanti West CoastW33368+West Midlands TrainsS26828+Northern RailNT203000+London OvergroundLO008900
    8:23 AM5h13
    Bolton station (BON)
    1:36 PMWatford High Street (WFH)
    $801One-way
    3 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastW33368+Northern RailNT203000+West Midlands TrainsS26828
    8:23 AM4h58
    Bolton station (BON)
    1:21 PMWatford Junction (WFJ)
    $801One-way
    2 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastW33141+Northern RailNT203200+West Midlands TrainsS26826
    10:13 AM4h08
    Bolton station (BON)
    2:21 PMWatford Junction (WFJ)
    $801One-way
    2 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastW33141+West Midlands TrainsS26826+Northern RailNT203200+London OvergroundLO008700
    10:13 AM4h23
    Bolton station (BON)
    2:36 PMWatford High Street (WFH)
    $801One-way
    3 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastW33088+Transpennine ExpressC24815+Northern RailL89315+West Midlands TrainsS26828
    9:19 AM4h17
    Bolton station (BON)
    1:36 PMWatford High Street (WFH)
    $1211One-way
    4 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Bolton to Watford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bolton to Watford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $119 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 0m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $119, while a flight costs an average of $271.

Distance: 158 miles (255 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Driving

$119

Average price

Cheapest

$271

Average price

$69

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 2m

Average total duration

2h 32m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 0m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 0m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

3h 38m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Bolton to Watford is a train with an average price of $119.

This is compared to other travel options from Bolton to Watford:

A train is $151 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bolton to Watford costing on average $271.

The fastest way to travel from Bolton to Watford is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 0m.

Other travel options to Watford take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 32m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bolton and Watford including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Bolton to Watford among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 1h 6m sooner (2h 32m by train vs 3h 38m by car). Tickets start at around $119 compared to roughly $69 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Bolton to Watford train times

The table below shows live departures for Bolton to Watford trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Northern Trains Limited7:21 PM Bolton
3h11
10:32 PM Watford1 transfer
Sunday, September 20
Avanti West CoastW33368+West Midlands TrainsS26828+Northern RailNT203000+London OvergroundLO0089008:23 AM Bolton station (BON)
5h13
1:36 PM Watford High Street (WFH)3 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33368+West Midlands TrainsS26828+Northern RailNT2030008:23 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h58
1:21 PM Watford Junction (WFJ)2 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33088+Northern RailL89315+West Midlands TrainsS26828+London OvergroundLO0089009:19 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h17
1:36 PM Watford High Street (WFH)4 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33088+Northern RailL89315+West Midlands TrainsS26828+Transpennine ExpressC248159:19 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h02
1:21 PM Watford Junction (WFJ)3 transfers
Northern RailNT203200+Avanti West CoastW33141+West Midlands TrainsS26826+London OvergroundLO00870010:13 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h23
2:36 PM Watford High Street (WFH)3 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33141+Northern RailNT203200+West Midlands TrainsS2682610:13 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h08
2:21 PM Watford Junction (WFJ)2 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33049+Northern RailG89813 · G90101+London OvergroundLO00850010:58 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h38
3:36 PM Watford High Street (WFH)4 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33049+Northern RailG89813+West Midlands TrainsS26824+Northern RailG9010110:58 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h23
3:21 PM Watford Junction (WFJ)3 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33049+Northern RailC32617+London OvergroundLO008500+West Midlands TrainsS2682411:19 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h17
3:36 PM Watford High Street (WFH)4 transfers
Avanti West CoastW33049+Northern RailC32617+Transpennine ExpressC01251+West Midlands TrainsS2682411:19 AM Bolton station (BON)
4h02
3:21 PM Watford Junction (WFJ)3 transfers

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bolton to Watford by train or bus

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.

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Sep 20
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Sep 24
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Sep 25
Sat
Sep 26

Why should you book Bolton to Watford trains with Omio?

Avanti West Coast operates all trains services from Bolton to Watford.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bolton to Watford.

Why book with Omio vs Avanti West Coast?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Avanti West Coast with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bolton to Watford.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Bolton to Watford.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Bolton to Watford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Bolton to Watford run on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $119 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 01:44, the last at 21:45. The fastest train covers the 158 miles (255 km) distance in 2h 23m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
158 miles (255 km)
Average train duration
2h 32m
Cheapest ticket price
$119
Trains per day
13
Fastest train
2h 23m
First train
1:44 AM
Last train
9:45 PM
Cheapest Month
Sep
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Oct - Dec
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
28 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Train companies: Avanti West Coast from Bolton to Watford trainsAvanti West Coast trains will get you between Bolton and Watford from $119. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Avanti West Coast Duration
2h 23m
Cheapest Avanti West Coast Price
$119
Avanti West Coast frequency
13 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

Complete guide to Watford

Things to do in Watford

Discover the best of Watford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Watford trip today.

  • Must visit

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

Major film attraction at Warner Bros. Studios with sets, props, and behind-the-scenes exhibits from the Harry Potter films.

  • Recommended

Watford Museum

Compact local museum covering Watford's people, industry, art, and football heritage in a historic former brewery setting.

  • Recommended

Little Cassiobury House

Elegant Jacobean house with period rooms, exhibitions, and gardens, offering a strong sense of Hertfordshire country-house history.

British Pound Sterling (£)

Moderate for UK trips: hotels and rail can be pricey, but dining and local transit are usually cheaper than central London.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or casual takeaway.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants often add 10-12.5% service; if not, round up or tip 10%. Taxis: round up. Cafes and pubs: tipping is optional, small change appreciated.

FAQs: Trains from Bolton to Watford

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bolton to Watford by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Watford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Bolton to Watford can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $119, while the average price is around $119.
The train from Bolton to Watford takes 2h 23m and runs 13 per day.
The distance by train from Bolton to Watford is 158 miles (255 km).
The first train from Bolton to Watford leaves at 1:44 AM.
The last train from Bolton to Watford leaves at 9:45 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Bolton to Watford.
There is no direct train service currently available from Bolton to Watford.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Bolton to Watford.
The train station in Bolton that goes to Watford is Bolton station (BON), which connects to Bushey (BSH).
The cheapest way to get from Bolton to Watford is by train, with a cost of around $119.
The train journey from Bolton to Watford primarily traverses urban and suburban areas, offering views of towns, industrial landscapes, and countryside sections, but it is not typically considered a scenic route.
A day trip from Bolton to Watford is not feasible, as the journey takes 2h 23m. However, trains run 8 times per day covering the distance of 158 miles (255 km).
In Watford, you can enjoy performances at the historic Watford Palace Theatre and community events at the Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre. For shopping and entertainment, visit Intu Watford. Experience fun golfing at Topgolf Watford or explore nature at Rickmansworth Aquadrome. Discover local history at Watford Museum and the enchanting world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Relax at Cassiobury Park, stroll through the gardens at Cheslyn House, or indulge at the luxurious Grove hotel and estate.
To explore Watford's main attractions, including the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and Cassiobury Park, a stay of 1 to 2 days is generally sufficient.
Yes, you can take the train from Bolton to Watford.
Since neither Bolton nor Watford are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Watford include London, Kings Langley, Birmingham, Hemel Hempstead, Coventry.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Bolton to Watford among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Watford, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in crowded areas like the town center and around public transport hubs. Common scams include bogus ticket sellers and unofficial taxi services, so it's advised to book transportation through trusted providers. Staying alert in busy spots and using official channels for tickets and rides helps ensure a safe visit.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Bolton to Watford

Most Bolton to Watford trains use the Bolton to Watford Junction station pair, with some services arriving at Bushey. Use this guide to compare Bolton and Watford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Bolton
Arrival train stations in Watford

Which Bolton station do trains to Watford leave from?

Trains from Bolton to Watford leave from Bolton. The station is 0 miles (1 km) from Bolton city centre at Bolton station, Trinity Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL2 1BE.
BoltonBolton station, Trinity Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL2 1BEWifiShoppingParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to Bolton from Bolton city centre

Bolton is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus576, 535, 525, 526, 507, 561, 562, 575, 527, 534, 537, 541, 533, 480 · 10m · $2 · every ~79 min
125 · 15m · $11 · every ~16 min

Bolton train station facilities and services

Bolton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Bolton.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Bolton.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Bolton.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bolton: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Bolton: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A Station, this station is scooter friendly, a scooter permit is required for travel, Level access through the ticket barriers to an overpass and via lifts to all platforms. Lifts available from first to last trains, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

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