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

Watford travel guide

Watford Tourism | Watford Guide

You're Going to Love Watford

With a population of 125,707, Watford is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Watford deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Watford

If you’re looking for affordable options, Middletons Steakhouse & Grill - Watford (9 King Street) and The Prince George (151 St. Albans Road) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Humo (9 King St) and Côte Brasserie - Watford (53-55 High Street) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Watford.

When to visit Watford

Watford in February
Estimated hotel price
£74
1 night at 3-star hotel
Watford in February
Estimated hotel price
£74
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Watford

Plane

When flying to Watford, you’ll arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which is located 13 miles from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Watford departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Watford, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Watford to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around £17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £33 for a 1h 36m trip. Located 0.6 miles from the city centre, Watford Junction is the busiest station in Watford. Another popular train station is Watford North, located 1.4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Watford is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 16 miles from Watford. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Watford, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Watford takes 95 miles and will cost you around £5. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £4 for a journey of 130 miles.

Plane

When flying to Watford, you’ll arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which is located 13 miles from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Watford departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Watford, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Watford to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around £17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £33 for a 1h 36m trip. Located 0.6 miles from the city centre, Watford Junction is the busiest station in Watford. Another popular train station is Watford North, located 1.4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Watford is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 16 miles from Watford. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Watford, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Watford takes 95 miles and will cost you around £5. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £4 for a journey of 130 miles.

Airports near Watford

LHRLondon Heathrow
STNLondon Stansted
LGWLondon Gatwick

Airlines serving Watford

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,243 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Watford

Average rates range from around £147 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £165 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Watford

Most booked hotels in Watford

See all
Leonardo Hotel London Watford
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£82+
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Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£84+
View
Leonardo London Heathrow Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£81+
View
Sofitel London Heathrow
5 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£157+
View
Holiday Inn London - Watford Junction
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£92+
View
Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£82+
View

Hiring a car in Watford

Hiring a car in Watford costs £38 per day, on average, or £77 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

Expect to pay £1.30 per litre in Watford (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.58 and £20.77. The most frequently booked car type in Watford is Economy (Opel Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Ford Focus or similar) is, on average, 67% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Watford costs £38 per day, on average, or £77 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

Expect to pay £1.30 per litre in Watford (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.58 and £20.77. The most frequently booked car type in Watford is Economy (Opel Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Ford Focus or similar) is, on average, 67% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Best car hire deals in Watford

Compact

4 adults, 2 Bags

£19/day

Compact

Compact SUV

4 adults, 2 Bags

£24/day

Compact SUV
Find car hire in Watford

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