Swindon travel guide

Swindon Tourism | Swindon Guide

You're Going to Love Swindon

With a population of 155.432, Swindon is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Swindon deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Swindon

If you’re looking for affordable options, Weighbridge Steakhouse & Bar (Penzance Drive) and The Red Lion Inn (74 High Street Cricklade) are great picks.

When to visit Swindon

Swindon in December
Estimated hotel price
£54
1 night at 3-star hotel
Swindon in December
Estimated hotel price
£54
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Swindon

Plane

Although Swindon doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Bristol Airport (BRS), which is located 68 km from Swindon. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Swindon departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swindon, followed by South Western Railway. The train journey from Swindon to Bristol takes 1h 36m and costs around £29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Southampton, expect to pay about £26 for a 1h 42m trip. The train station in Swindon is called Swindon, and is located 0.9 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Swindon is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 115 km from Swindon. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Swindon, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Leicester, the bus ride to Swindon takes 185 km and will cost you around £5. From Southampton, the ticket costs about £6 for a journey of 185 km. The most popular bus station is Swindon Coate Water, located 2.7 km from the city centre of Swindon. Swindon Stratton Cross Roads is also a commonly used station, and is 3.0 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Swindon doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Bristol Airport (BRS), which is located 68 km from Swindon. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Swindon departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swindon, followed by South Western Railway. The train journey from Swindon to Bristol takes 1h 36m and costs around £29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Southampton, expect to pay about £26 for a 1h 42m trip. The train station in Swindon is called Swindon, and is located 0.9 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Swindon is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 115 km from Swindon. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Swindon, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Leicester, the bus ride to Swindon takes 185 km and will cost you around £5. From Southampton, the ticket costs about £6 for a journey of 185 km. The most popular bus station is Swindon Coate Water, located 2.7 km from the city centre of Swindon. Swindon Stratton Cross Roads is also a commonly used station, and is 3.0 km from the city centre.

Airports near Swindon

Airlines serving Swindon

Lufthansa
Good (7,198 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,372 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,115 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,655 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,951 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,896 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,828 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,468 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (811 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,846 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,285 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,596 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,419 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,696 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,096 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (351 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,222 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,375 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,312 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,915 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Swindon

Average rates range from around £82 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £125 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Swindon, with prices from £24 to £325 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Swindon are about 65% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Swindon

Most booked hotels in Swindon

Leonardo Hotel Swindon
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£61+
Holiday Inn Express Swindon West
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£62+
Delta Hotels by Marriott Swindon
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£67+
Travelodge Swindon Central
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£36+
Campanile Swindon
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
£41+
Holiday Inn Express Swindon City Centre
3 stars
Good (7.3, Good reviews)
£63+

Hiring a car in Swindon

Hiring a car in Swindon costs £53 per day, on average, or £106 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, 26% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Swindon (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.16 and £21.55. The most frequently booked car type in Swindon is Compact (Seat Arona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) is, on average, 39% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Swindon costs £53 per day, on average, or £106 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, 26% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Swindon (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.16 and £21.55. The most frequently booked car type in Swindon is Compact (Seat Arona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) is, on average, 39% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

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