Affordable rail travel to Bristol. Discover Bristol with the benefits of split tickets for your journey.

Clifton Suspension Bridge | Image credit: Nathan Riley | Unsplash

Located in the South West of England, Bristol is a must-see destination known for its historic landmarks, culture, welcoming pubs, and street art. Take a street art tour to discover the works of the city's most famous resident, Banksy. Learn about the city's maritime history and visit the SS Great Britain Steamship, or enjoy inspiring views on a tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The Harbourside in Bristol city centre | Image credit: Martyna Bober | Unsplash

Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll around Bristol's Harbourside, taking in the sights, or indulging in shopping and dining at some of the city's independent establishments, Bristol offers something for everyone.

Convenient trains run to Bristol Temple Meads from major cities like London, Birmingham, and Cardiff. Upon arrival, you can begin your exploration by visiting the Grade 1 listed station designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The station is just a short walk from the city centre. Bristol is an ideal destination for a day trip or a short break, and with Trainsplit's unique journey planner, finding cheap train tickets can further enhance the affordability of your journey to Bristol.

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The Trainsplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.

   

The app is available on both iOS and Android devices. Just search for "Trainsplit" in your app store and download the app today.

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Getting around Bristol

Image credit: Alvin C | Unsplash

If you have never visited Bristol before, finding your way around can be daunting, so we have come up with a list of some of the different transport options which are available.

The freedom travel pass, which is available from the station ticket office, or if you only need a day pass, you can purchase this from a bus driver, allows you to travel across the majority of bus and rail services with First. You do need to specify which zone, but if you are traveling within central Bristol, then you only need zone A. However, you can combine with other zones if you want to travel further afield to Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Nailsea, and Yatton.

To plan your journeys around Bristol and the surrounding area by bus, including real-time departures, download the Sojo app.

Another great alternative when you are saving money and buying train tickets on Trainsplit.com is to purchase a Plusbus ticket. This provides you with unlimited bus or tram travel on top of your train ticket, which is ideal if you are travelling to Bristol on the train.

Bristol is well known for its cycling and its cycle paths on almost all major roads and over 300 places, you’ll find plenty of places to secure your bike. If you don’t want to take your bike, there are places for you to hire a bike and bike-friendly cafes such as the Mud Dock Café for a cup of tea and or a beer before setting off again on your route.

Taxi’s are another way around the city with the Hackney cab’s in the Bristol Blue. You can hail a free cab, wait at a taxi rank, or prebook a taxi from one of the taxi firms in the Bristol area.

If you prefer to take the sights on foot, the centre of Bristol is only a short walk away from Bristol Temple Meads station and is a great way to see all of the sights in the centre. If you are feeling adventurous, take a walk to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

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The Trainsplit app is more than just a way to save money on train travel. It's a great way to explore new places and meet new people.

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Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at Trainsplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive guide here at Trainsplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful. Below, we've outlined some of the key points, including securing cheap train tickets.

How to book Cheap Train Tickets to Bristol

Book Your Train Tickets Early

For the best deals on Cheap Train Tickets, don't delay until the day of departure. Instead, book an Advance Ticket up to 12 weeks ahead when released by the Train Operating Companies. Advance Tickets for trains to Bristol, offering lower prices, often sell out fast. We recommend booking your journey in advance, as early as possible, to secure the most affordable fares. Even if you need to book last minute, you can sometimes still purchase Advance Fares up to an hour before departure.

Use a Railcard

Pairing your journey with a railcard can slash up to a third off the ticket price, offering significant savings on cheap train tickets. If you're a regular train traveller, investing in a railcard will swiftly offset its cost through discounted fares.

Split Your Tickets

With Trainsplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, Trainsplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

Opting for off-peak travel not only saves money on higher-priced train tickets but also offers a more tranquil journey experience. Off-peak hours typically commence around 09:30, making them an ideal choice for budget-conscious travellers heading to Bristol. Additionally, considering splitting your tickets during off-peak hours can further enhance your savings on cheap train tickets for your journey.

Travelling with Multiple Passengers

Explore Groupsave train tickets for discounted fares when travelling with a group of three or more people. It's a great way to save on train tickets and make your journey more affordable. And remember, you can also consider splitting your tickets with Trainsplit to save even more on your train tickets. 

Consider an Alternative Route

If you're not starting your journey from London, why not try a different route that doesn't pass through the capital? Cross Country trains offer trips to Bristol Temple Meads that avoid London, providing a smart way to cut down on train travel costs. With Trainsplit’s journey planner, you can easily find cheaper routes to Bristol by splitting your tickets. This can save you money on your train tickets, ensuring you enjoy affordable travel to your destination.

Avoid Booking Fees

Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With Trainsplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a Share of Savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no Share of Savings will be charged.

Claim Delay Repay

In the event of a delay, you may be entitled to compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the compensation policy of the operator you're travelling with and submit a claim for any eligible delays.

By following these tips, along with using Trainsplit’s unique journey planner to unearth the best deals on cheap train tickets to Bristol, now is the perfect opportunity to embark on exciting adventures.

If you have any other questions, then our FAQ section can be a good place to start. If your question doesn’t appear there, then feel free to get in touch with our customer service team.

Some great things to do when you're in Bristol

Image credit: Ian Kelsall | Unsplash

Visit Brunel's SS Great Britain. This was once the world's longest ship and was designed to travel between Bristol and New York City. As one of Bristol's top attractions, discover the stories of the ship that changed the world and experience the life onboard for its Victorian crew.

Harbourside, Bristol | Image credit: Raul Cacho Oses | Unsplash

Close by in Brunel Square, why not try The Harbourside Kitchen for tea and scones before continuing to explore the harbourside?

Image credit: Nicholas Allan Innes | Unsplash

Take in the views from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1836, this 250-foot high suspension bridge can provide some stunning views over the River Avon.

Learn about the history of Bristol in the M Shed. Delve into the history of Bristol and learn more about its amazing past, including historic events and its people, through photos, quirky objects, and personal accounts.

Take a walk along the Banksy Bristol Trail. This self-guided walking tour allows you to discover pieces of art by the anonymous artist, who is presumed to be born and raised in Bristol, close to the M Shed museum. You can find maps and trails online as you walk around the city to discover some of the works by this famous artist.

Bristol Old City and St. Nicholas Market | Image credit: Martyna Bober | Unsplash

Explore the historic Old City and visit St Nicholas’s indoor market. Established in 1743 and featuring over 60 stalls, the market is one of the oldest and most beloved markets in Bristol. The market is also home to several outdoor markets in adjacent streets. In addition to the permanent market, there are several street food sellers on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering a great selection of tasty treats.

Places to eat in Bristol for all budgets

Image credit: Rob Wicks | Unsplash

Fine Dining

1. BOX-E - Unit 10, Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WP

Located on Bristol's Wapping Wharf on the harbourside, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers seasonal modern British cooking in a pair of shipping containers. With just 14 seats, this restaurant offers a menu and cooking that comes from the heart, with dishes that are rustic and flavor-packed.

2. The Chefs Table - 1A-2 Avon Crescent, Bristol, BS1 6XQ

Located in the old part of the city, close to the Bristol docks, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers a small front terrace, warm service, and a great atmosphere. The two menus offer original modern dining that is full of flavour.

3. Bulrush - 21 Cotham Road South, Bristol, BS6 5TZ (Closest station - Redland)

While this may appear modest, this cosy restaurant tucked away in Cotham offers an appealing and comfortable feel, along with its top-notch seasonal ingredients, which are either foraged or locally sourced, to prepare an imaginative and well-balanced tasting menu.

Image credit: Amy Treasure | Unsplash

Mid-range Dining

1. The Bank Tavern - 8 John Street, Old City, Bristol, BS1 2HR

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, The Bank Tavern has stood on the same site since the 1800s. The menu offers a mix of traditional pub classics combined with a range of contemporary dishes and flavours from around the world. This traditional pub has something for everyone, with its rotating selection of ales and ciders.

2. Tare - Unit 14, Cargo 2 Museum Street, Unit 14, Bristol, BS1 6ZA

This restaurant sits within a block of converted shipping containers on the Wapping Wharf. With just 20 seats, this restaurant uses local produce and serves a modern 7-course set menu alongside a specially designed drinks list to complement your meal.

3. Pasture - 2 Portwall Lane, Bristol, BS1 6NB

This restaurant is a celebration of fire-based cooking. The in-house butchers handpick and prepare the very best meat from farms in the southwest. The steaks are cooked over charcoal and wild cherry wood for extra flavour. This steak restaurant offers a range of steaks, and why not complement your meal with a classic cocktail from their wide range.

Cheap Eats

1. Eatchu - The Old Mess Room, Exchange Avenue, Bristol, BS1 1JQ

Eatchu, located in St Nicholas’s Market, is one of Bristol’s favourite lunch spots. All of the dumplings are made from scratch using the best ingredients and techniques to create these award-winning gyoza.

2. Taste of Napoli - 32 The Horsefair, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3BB

This family-run restaurant offers a large range of options and features food and drink that are renowned throughout Italy. They pride themselves on using traditional cooking methods and the best quality ingredients, all imported from Italy.

3. Chancers & Counters - 20 Christmas Steps, Bristol, BS1 5BS

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Cheap Train Tickets to Bristol?

You can find the cheapest train tickets to Bristol by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like Trainsplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.

What's the most cost-effective way to travel to Bristol?

The most economical way to travel to Bristol is by booking cheap Advance Tickets  and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

When should I book my train tickets to Bristol for the best prices?

To secure the cheapest train tickets to Bristol, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.

Can I save money by splitting my train tickets when travelling to Bristol?

Yes, splitting your train tickets to Bristol can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like Trainsplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.

Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to Bristol?

Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Bristol and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get the cheapest possible fares for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Bristol and beyond.

Is it cheaper to book train tickets to Bristol online or at the station?

When looking to secure cheap train tickets to Bristol, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like Trainsplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses. 

Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

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