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. While Windsor is a reasonably small town, there are actually two stations, and therefore two different routes to choose from.
Option 1: London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough)
- The quickest way to reach Windsor by train is to take a Great Western Railway (GWR) service from London Paddington to Slough.
- At Slough, you’ll need to change to a connecting train on the Windsor & Eton Line, which takes you to Windsor & Eton Central. This journey only takes 6 minutes.
- The entire journey typically takes 30-40 minutes.
- Trains run frequently throughout the day, usually every 15-30 minutes.
- 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.
- You can use contactless payments on this line. Just remember to tap in and out.
Option 2: London stations to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough)
- Another great route from London to Slough, is using the newer Elizabeth Line. 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.
- At Slough, you’ll need to change to a connecting train to Windsor & Eton Central.
- These trains run quite frequently, but make sure you catch one that stops at Slough.
- You can use contactless payments on this line. Just remember to tap in and out.
Option 3: London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
- From London Waterloo you can take a South Western Railway service to Windsor & Eton Riverside.
- This is a direct train with no changes, taking around 50-60 minutes.
- Windsor & Eton Riverside station is slightly further from the castle (around a 10-minute walk), but it’s a lovely route through the town.
- Trains on this route are also frequent, running approximately every 30 minutes.
- You can use contactless payments on this line. Just remember to tap in and out.
Pros of taking the train:
- Trains tend to be fast and reliable.
- Frequent departures throughout the day.
- Avoids traffic.
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 1.5-2 hours, 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.