Whether you want to go by train, bus or car, these are the best ways to travel from London to Windsor.
Windsor is one of the most popular day trips from London. I know, as I was once those day trippers! I’ve visited the town by train and car before… but now I’m based here, the trips are reversed! Instead, I use transport from Windsor to go to London!
I’ve got to grips with all the options. Sometimes the train is the easiest, as it links to specific areas of London. The buses can be great when I can be flexible on time (and saves money too!) Alternatively, driving is the easiest in terms of going from A to B.
There are so many transport options available, I thought it’d be helpful to give you the rundown. Then you’ll be able to choose the most convenient option for your journey.
How To Travel From London To Windsor
How to Travel from London to Windsor by Train
Taking the train is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel from London to Windsor. There are two train stations in Windsor – Windsor & Eton Central, and Windsor & Eton Riverside. They’re only a five-minute walk apart, but depending on where you’re coming from in London, you’ll want to choose the route that suits you best.
Option 1: London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough)
This is probably the fastest and most common route to Windsor. You’ll need to change at Slough, but it’s a pretty seamless connection. You do have to be fast though!
Here are the journey details:
- Catch the train from London Paddington to Slough
The fast train takes approximately 17 minutes from Paddington Station. This usually leaves from platform 12. There are two trains per hour (one every 30 minutes) – at 12:08 and 12:38.
If you miss the fast train, then you can catch the slower Elizabeth Line train which takes approximately 30 minutes. This leaves from platform B, which is deep underground. It can take up to 5-minutes walking from Paddington Station to the Elizabeth Line platform, so factor this into your journey. There are 4 trains per hour (one every 15 minutes) – at 12:02, 12:17, 12:32, 12:37.
You can catch this from several stations in London, including Stratford, Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Paddington and Ealing Broadway. You’ll need a train going to Maidenhead or Reading.
An hourly train timetable looks something like this:
12:02: Elizabeth Line, Platform B, journey time – 30 minutes
12:08: Paddington Station, Platform 12, journey time – 17 minutes
12:17: Elizabeth Line, Platform B, journey time – 30 minutes
12:32: Elizabeth Line, Platform B, journey time – 30 minutes
12:38: Paddington Station, Platform 12, journey time – 17 minutes
12:47: Elizabeth Line, Platform B, journey time – 30 minutes
- Once you get to Slough, change trains from platform 5 to the local Windsor & Eton Central train departing from platform 1. It takes approximately 3 minutes walking between platforms – you have to go over the concourse. Usually you have about 5-7 minutes buffer time, so it is possible linking trains up. I’ve done it in 60 seconds at a full sprint, so you can cut it fine.
This train only runs between Slough to Windsor & Eton Central, and it takes 6 minutes. These trains run with German efficiency – they always leave on time, so if you miss it, you miss it. There are three trains per hour (one every 20 minutes) – at 12:10, 12:30 and 12:50.
If you manage to hook everything up, the total journey time from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central is 28 minutes, but that’s only if you make all your connections. If not, it is more like 48 minutes, so it’s definitely worth rushing for that connection at Slough.
This route is ideal for visitors who want to get to Windsor Castle quickly, as the station is just a short walk from the entrance.
Option 2: London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
If you’re staying near Waterloo, Vauxhall, Clapham, or southwest London (places like Twickenham or Richmond), then I would definitely recommend this route. It is much easier than option 1 as it doesn’t involve any changes, but it is much slower.
Here are the journey details:
- Take the direct train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.
- No need to change trains – the journey is around 53-56 minutes.
- There are two trains per hour (one every 30 minutes) – at 12:03 and 12:33.
- The trains usually leave from platforms 18 to 24 – these are at the far-right of Waterloo Station as you look at the platform boards.
The scenery along this route is lovely, especially as you get closer to Windsor, so it’s a more relaxed ride if you’re not in a rush.
Pros of taking the train:
- Trains tend to be fast and reliable.
- Frequent departures throughout the day.
- Avoids traffic.
- Environmentally friendly
Cons of taking the train:
- Tickets can be expensive, particularly during peak hours.
- The faster routes involve changing at Slough.
- Rail replacement services sometimes run at weekends, making journeys slow.
How to Travel from London to Windsor by Bus
I’m not a huge fan of catching buses from London to Windsor, as they tend to take a lot longer. However, if you don’t mind the time, you’ll definitely save money! There are several bus options to get from London to Windsor:
Option 1: Green Line 702 Bus
- Operated by Reading Buses, the London Line 702 is a direct bus service running from London Victoria Coach Station to Windsor.
- Stops along the way include Hyde Park Corner, Kensington, and Hammersmith.
- The journey takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
- Buses run every 30-60 minutes throughout the day.
- This is a comfortable and affordable option for those on a budget. Adult tickets are usually £3 for a single journey.
- It also stops at Legoland, so it’s great for families.
Option 2: National Express Coach
- National Express offers a coach service from London Victoria to Windsor.
- Travel time is typically around 1h:40m to 2h:20m, depending on traffic.
- Prices are really affordable, and you can often find discounted fares by booking in advance. When I last checked, I found single fares for as little as £2!
Pros of taking the bus:
- Budget-friendly, especially when you compare the prices to train tickets.
- Comfortable coach or bus seating with luggage storage.
Cons of taking the bus:
- Longer journey times due to traffic.
- Less frequent departures compared to trains.
How to Travel from London to Windsor by Car
If you have your own car, you’ll love the convenience of driving from London to Windsor. The distance between central London and Windsor is approximately 25 miles (40 km), and the journey can take between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
When we lived in Ealing, it only took us around 30 minutes to get to Windsor. Driving was much more convenient than catching a train. However, I should warn you about parking. You’re likely to need to pay for a car park, and they’re not cheap!
Best driving route to Windsor: via M4 Motorway
- The easiest and most direct route will take you via the M4 motorway, which connects London to the edge of Windsor.
- If you’re based on the M25, you can travel to Junction 15, where you can merge onto the M4 westbound.
- Take the M4 westbound, exit at Junction 6, and follow signs for Windsor.
- This is usually the fastest route, but depends on rush hour traffic.
Parking in Windsor:
- Windsor’s town centre has several parking options, including River Street Car Park, Victoria Street Car Park, and Windsor & Eton Riverside Station Car Park.
- We usually think Windsor & Eton Riverside Station Car Park is the best value, but you might want to check prices before you visit. Windsor Yards is one of the most expensive car parks in Windsor.
- Parking costs vary but it’s usually between £2-£5 per hour.
- There are some streets you can park on for free (without a permit) after 11am. You’ll need to check the Windsor Council website to work this out. My street is one of them, but I’m not giving that out here!
Pros of driving to Windsor:
- You can be on your own schedule.
- You can pack as much as you like in the car.
- It’ll mean you can explore the wider area or drive direct to places like Legoland Windsor.
Cons of driving to Windsor:
- Be prepared for busy roads, especially during peak summer season.
- Parking in Windsor is expensive.
I hope this guide has helped you decide how to get from London to Windsor. If you’ve only got a day here in Windsor, I’d suggest coming by train or car. You’ll waste a lot of time on the buses. However, if you can be relaxed with timings and would like the budget-friendly option, go for the bus.
Looking for more tips for visiting Windsor? Check out these guides:
- 13 Things To Know Before Your First Visit To Windsor
- Spending One Day In Windsor: The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
- 13 Tips For Visiting Windsor Castle For First-Timers
- How To Travel From London To Windsor
- When Is The Best Time To Visit Windsor?
- The History of Windsor, UK – A Quick Timeline
- 17 Fun Facts About Windsor, England
- 20 Amazing Things To Do In Windsor In Summer
- 9 Best Things To Do In Windsor In The Rain
