Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Poole travel guide

Poole Tourism | Poole Guide

You're Going to Love Poole

With a population of 150.092, Poole is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Poole deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Poole

If you’re looking for affordable options, Harbour Heights (73 Haven Rd) and Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (Poole Quay) are great picks.

When to visit Poole

Poole in January
Estimated hotel price
£52
1 night at 3-star hotel
Poole in January
Estimated hotel price
£52
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Poole

Plane

When flying to Poole, you’ll arrive at Bournemouth (BOH), which is located 12 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Poole departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Poole, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Poole to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around £26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Southampton, expect to pay about £37 for a 1h 55m trip. Located 0.5 km from the city centre, Poole is the busiest station in Poole. Another popular train station is Poole Branksome, located 5 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Poole is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 156 km from Poole. You’ll find branches of Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Poole using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Poole takes 217 km and will cost you around £4. From Gloucester, the ticket costs about £5 for a journey of 338 km. The most popular bus station is Poole, located 0.6 km from the city centre of Poole. Poole Parkstone - St John's Church is also a commonly used station, and is 4 km from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Poole, you’ll arrive at Bournemouth (BOH), which is located 12 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Poole departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Poole, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Poole to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around £26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Southampton, expect to pay about £37 for a 1h 55m trip. Located 0.5 km from the city centre, Poole is the busiest station in Poole. Another popular train station is Poole Branksome, located 5 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Poole is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 156 km from Poole. You’ll find branches of Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Poole using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Poole takes 217 km and will cost you around £4. From Gloucester, the ticket costs about £5 for a journey of 338 km. The most popular bus station is Poole, located 0.6 km from the city centre of Poole. Poole Parkstone - St John's Church is also a commonly used station, and is 4 km from the city centre.

Airports near Poole

BRSBristol
LHRLondon Heathrow
LGWLondon Gatwick

Airlines serving Poole

KLM
Good (1,450 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,775 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,723 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,174 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,210 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,867 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,110 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,259 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,730 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,531 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,514 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (896 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,679 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,698 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,179 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,389 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,357 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,160 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (384 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,863 reviews)
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Where to stay in Poole

Average rates range from around £103 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £102 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Poole

Most booked hotels in Poole

See all
Grovefield Manor
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
£76+
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Hotel Du Vin Poole
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£84+
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Holiday Inn Express Poole By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£48+
View
Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£73+
View
Antelope Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£48+
View
Hilton Bournemouth
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£91+
View

Hiring a car in Poole

Hiring a car in Poole costs £37 per day, on average, or £75 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 41% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Poole (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.13 and £21.51. Compact (Vauxhall Mokka or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Poole, while also 64% cheaper than other types, on average.

Hiring a car in Poole costs £37 per day, on average, or £75 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 41% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Poole (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.13 and £21.51. Compact (Vauxhall Mokka or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Poole, while also 64% cheaper than other types, on average.

Find car hire in Poole