Searching london to salisbury returns train timetables, and the direct service from Waterloo is a good answer for a solo visitor. A private driver makes more sense if you are a group, you have luggage, or you want the cathedral city and Stonehenge on the same day. This page sets out the choice honestly.
London to Salisbury: train, coach or private driver?
Train. Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Salisbury and take roughly an hour and a half. For one person, an advance ticket is cheap and quick. Check times and fares on National Rail. Stonehenge itself has no station, so you would need a bus or a taxi.
Coach. Coaches cost least and take longest.
Private driver. We collect you at your London address and drive the 88 miles to Salisbury, about 2 h without traffic. You choose the time, the car goes where you go, and you can reach Stonehenge directly.
| Train | Private driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Door to door | No | Yes |
| Departure | Fixed times | Your choice |
| Reaching Stonehenge | Bus or taxi | Same car |
| Stops on the way | No | Yes |
| Cost for four people | Four fares | One fixed price |
How long is the drive from London to Salisbury?
The distance is 88 miles (142 km), about 2 h without traffic. The route follows the M3 and then the A303 and A36 towards the city. The A303 gets slow on summer weekends, when traffic for the west and for Stonehenge builds. Your driver checks conditions before you set off. National Highways lists current incidents, and you can preview the route on Google Maps.
Salisbury and Stonehenge on one day
The standing stones are about nine miles north of the city, and it is the most popular pairing from London. We drive you to Salisbury first or to the stones first, depending on your timed ticket. Stonehenge is managed by English Heritage, and entry is by timed ticket, so you must book ahead on the English Heritage website, where the opening times are published. Our London to Stonehenge page covers the stones in more detail.
A combined day is longer than the standard estimate. The price below covers eight hours, so add the hours you need for the stones. We quote it before you book.
Salisbury as a day trip from London
The cathedral is the reason to come. Its spire is the tallest in Britain, and the Chapter House holds one of the surviving copies of Magna Carta. Check opening times and tickets on the official Salisbury Cathedral site. The Cathedral Close is the largest in the country, a quiet green framed by old houses, and a short walk takes you to the market place, the river and a web of medieval lanes with independent shops and tea rooms.
If you want a second sight, Old Sarum, the Iron Age hill fort and first site of the city, lies just north and is run by English Heritage. For events and ideas, see Visit Wiltshire.
What a London to Salisbury private driver costs
Our hourly rate outside London, beyond the M25, is £70 in an E-Class, £85 in an S-Class or V-Class and £105 in a Range Rover, with a four-hour minimum.
For a day trip, 2 h each way plus four hours in Salisbury comes to eight hours of hire. That is £560 in an E-Class, £680 in an S-Class or a V-Class and £840 in a Range Rover. VAT is included and the price is agreed before you book. It covers the whole car, however many of you are in it.
A one-way transfer, a combined Stonehenge day or an overnight stay is quoted on request. The full rates are on our prices page.
When a car makes sense
A car helps most when:
- you are four or more, so one car replaces several tickets;
- you want Salisbury and Stonehenge without arranging a bus;
- you have luggage, children or someone who finds walking hard;
- you are travelling on to the south coast or the West Country;
- you would rather not rely on the last train home.
If you are going alone and only want the city, the train is cheaper and quick. We would rather you knew that.
Add a stop on the way
Winchester is on the way and has a cathedral of its own, and Bath is a longer drive to the north-west. The New Forest lies to the south. Mention your stops when you enquire and we say what fits.
Which car for Salisbury?
- Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series: up to 3 passengers.
- Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series: up to 3 passengers, with more rear space.
- Mercedes V-Class or VW Transporter: up to 8 passengers, the usual choice for a family day out.
- Range Rover: up to 4 passengers.
- Mercedes Sprinter minibus: up to 16 passengers, quoted on request; see our minibus and coach hire page.
Best time to visit Salisbury
The city is a year-round destination. Spring and early autumn are comfortable for walking the Close and the river meadows, where the classic view of the cathedral was painted by Constable. Summer is busiest, particularly around Stonehenge, and winter is quiet with early darkness. A weekday visit is easiest, and an early start lets you see the stones before the tour coaches arrive. If your Stonehenge ticket is for a fixed slot, we plan the journey around it, and we adjust if traffic on the A303 is heavy.
Practical tips for Salisbury by car
Parking in the centre is limited, and the Close is largely closed to traffic, so we set you down by the cathedral or the market place and agree a meeting point for the return. If you are going on to Stonehenge, tell us your ticket time and we plan the day around it. Weather on the plain can be cold and windy, so bring layers. If you want a late meal in the city, say so when you book.
How to book your London to Salisbury driver
- Use the form below or the contact page to give the date, your London pick-up address, the number of passengers and your luggage.
- Say whether you want Salisbury alone, Salisbury with Stonehenge, a one-way transfer or an overnight stay.
- We send a fixed price, VAT included, with the car that fits your party.
- Your chauffeur arrives at the time agreed and waits while you explore.
For other days out by road, see our guide to the best day trips from London by car.
Last updated 22 October 2026.
