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

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, The Bell Inn (Purton Stoke) and Basset Down Complex (Lower Salthrop Basset Down) are great picks.

When to visit Swindon

Swindon in December
Estimated hotel price
£62
1 night at 3-star hotel
Swindon in December
Estimated hotel price
£62
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 British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Swindon departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swindon, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Swindon to Manchester takes 2h 19m and costs around £37 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about £29 for a 3h 26m 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 Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Swindon using National Express or FlixBus. From Bournemouth, the bus ride to Swindon takes 209 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £8 for a journey of 217 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 British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Swindon departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swindon, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Swindon to Manchester takes 2h 19m and costs around £37 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about £29 for a 3h 26m 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 Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Swindon using National Express or FlixBus. From Bournemouth, the bus ride to Swindon takes 209 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £8 for a journey of 217 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

BRSBristol
LHRLondon Heathrow
SOUSouthampton Eastleigh

Airlines serving Swindon

KLM
Good (1,448 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,759 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,712 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,138 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,210 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,864 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,103 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,236 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,729 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,531 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,500 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (896 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,676 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,684 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,179 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,380 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,357 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,158 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (381 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,834 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Swindon

Average rates range from around £69 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £64 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Swindon, with prices from £24 to £383 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Swindon are about 48% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Swindon

Most booked hotels in Swindon

See all
Leonardo Hotel Swindon
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£48+
View
Holiday Inn Express Swindon West By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£48+
View
Holiday Inn Swindon By IHG
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£38+
View
Village Hotel Swindon
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£51+
View
Holiday Inn Express Swindon City Centre By IHG
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
£46+
View
ibis budget Swindon
2 stars
Good (7.3, Good reviews)
£53+
View

Hiring a car in Swindon

Hiring a car in Swindon costs £28 per day, on average, or £55 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, 20% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.34 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 £16.06 and £21.41. The most frequently booked car type in Swindon is Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 69% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Swindon costs £28 per day, on average, or £55 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, 20% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.34 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 £16.06 and £21.41. The most frequently booked car type in Swindon is Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 69% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Best car hire deals in Swindon

Compact SUV

4 adults, 2 Bags

£17/day

Compact SUV

Intermediate SUV

5 adults, 3 Bags

£22/day

Intermediate SUV
Find car hire in Swindon