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 one of the most popular cities to visit 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 The Anchorage (47 Haven Rd) are great picks.

When to visit Poole

Poole in January
Estimated hotel price
£53
1 night at 3-star hotel
Poole in January
Estimated hotel price
£53
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 Edinburgh and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Poole, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Poole to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around £34 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about £18 for a 1h 31m 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 Hertz, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Poole, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Poole takes 209 km and will cost you around £5. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 257 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 Edinburgh and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Poole, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Poole to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around £34 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about £18 for a 1h 31m 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 Hertz, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Poole, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Poole takes 209 km and will cost you around £5. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 257 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 (1,405 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,545 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,002 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,494 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,040 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,775 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,006 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,997 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,400 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,660 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,482 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (863 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,398 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,556 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,236 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,050 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,391 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Poole

Average rates range from around £104 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £88 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Poole

Most booked hotels in Poole

See all
Holiday Inn Express Poole By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£60+
View
Antelope by Greene King Inns
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£63+
View
Harbour Heights Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£97+
View
Hilton Bournemouth
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£90+
View
Shah of Persia, Poole by Marston's Inns
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£48+
View
Haven Hotel
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£122+
View

Hiring a car in Poole

Hiring a car in Poole costs £38 per day, on average, or £76 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, 22% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.36 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 £16.26 and £21.68. The most frequently booked car type in Poole is Mini (Citroen C1 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Vauxhall Mokka or similar) is, on average, 64% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Poole costs £38 per day, on average, or £76 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, 22% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.36 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 £16.26 and £21.68. The most frequently booked car type in Poole is Mini (Citroen C1 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Vauxhall Mokka or similar) is, on average, 64% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Find car hire in Poole

Poole Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Poole city guide for the best Poole travel tips. To help you organise your Poole trip ideas, this Poole visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.