Birmingham and Bristol are close enough for a day trip, but different enough to make the journey feel worthwhile. Direct CrossCountry services leave Birmingham New Street regularly and take you straight to Bristol Temple Meads, so you can settle in and enjoy the journey rather than worrying about changes.
When you arrive, the Harbourside, Old City and plenty of places to eat are all within easy reach. Fares start from £8.25. If you have an eligible Railcard, don’t forget to add it when you book - it can save you around 1/3 on qualifying fares.
*Please Note: Prices and schedules are for guidance only. Check live search for exact details.

What are the train times from Birmingham to Bristol?

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DepartsArrivesOperator
Find Tickets
14:42
1h 16m, Direct
Birmingham New Street
15:58
Bristol Parkway
CrossCountry
Find Tickets
15:12
1h 8m, Direct
Birmingham New Street
16:20
Bristol Parkway
CrossCountry
Find Tickets
15:42
1h 17m, Direct
Birmingham New Street
16:59
Bristol Parkway
CrossCountry
Find Tickets
16:12
1h 9m, Direct
Birmingham New Street
17:21
Bristol Parkway
CrossCountry
Find Tickets
16:42
1h 17m, Direct
Birmingham New Street
17:59
Bristol Parkway
CrossCountry
Find Tickets
16:50
3h 24m, 1 change
Birmingham New Street
20:14
Paris
Great Western RailwayLNR & WMR
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Everything you need to know about Bristol

First train
First train
05:00
Last train
Last train
23:00
Departure city
Departure city
Arrival city
Arrival city
Journey time
Journey time
1h 8m
Distance
Distance
78 miles
Price
Price
£8.25
Train Operators
Train Operators
Bristol Temple Meads opened in 1840 and is Bristol's oldest and largest railway station. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it still carries plenty of reminders of the city's long railway history.

Available facilities include:

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Toilets, accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities.

  • Shops and places to pick up food or drinks.

  • Ticket machines and a staffed ticket office.

  • Step-free access to all platforms.

  • Passenger Assistance

Getting around Bristol:

  • Bus: You can catch local buses from stops around Temple Meads, with services into central Bristol and neighbourhoods across the city.
  • Taxi: Taxis are available at the station, or you can book an Uber if you’d prefer to head straight to your hotel or next stop.
  • Airport: The A1 Airport Flyer stops at Temple Meads and runs directly to Bristol Airport.
  • On foot: Old Market is only a few minutes away. The Harbourside is around a 25–30-minute walk if you fancy seeing more of Bristol along the way.
*Please Note: Station amenities and onward travel are for guidance only. Check locally for updates.

Local expert insight

avatar
Kieran Read
Updated: Oct 9, 2026
Local expert insight

Bristol has a strong personality of its own, and a lot of the fun comes from moving between its historic streets and lively markets. Give yourself time to wander, as some of the best parts of the city are found between the main sights.

Grab lunch at St Nicholas Market

St Nicholas Market has been trading since 1743 and is a good place to stop when you get hungry. Its covered arcades are filled with independent traders and street-food stalls, so you can grab lunch and have a look around the Old City at the same time.

Climb Cabot Tower
Cabot Tower sits in Brandon Hill, one of Bristol’s oldest public parks. The climb to the top is worth it for wide views across the city, including the harbour. It’s free to visit, so it can be a good stop if you want to see Bristol from above without adding much to your day’s budget. 
Step aboard the SS Great Britain
Brunel's SS Great Britain sits in the historic Great Western Dockyard. You can go aboard the ship and learn how Brunel's engineering helped change long-distance sea travel.
Visit Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is a good stop if you want a break from the city streets. Entry is free, and the collections range from fine art and archaeology to natural history. It is also close to Park Street, so you can easily combine it with shops and a walk towards Clifton.
Explore the cheapest prices to Bristol from Birmingham this week

Fares from Birmingham to Bristol usually average around £8.25, but you can often save more by choosing options like Off-Peak or Advance tickets. Take a look below to find the best deal for your journey!

Find Cheapest Train
This train is sold out. View full timetable and prices.
Go
£8.25
Thu15Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£24.10
06:4207:57
Book
£24.10
Fri16Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£26.10
16:1218:20
Book
£26.10
Sat17Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£22.40
22:1208:57
Book
£22.40
Sun18Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£16.50
08:4210:01
Book
£16.50
Mon19Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£23.20
22:1223:20
Book
£23.20
Tue20Oct
Cheapest train of the day
£25.50
13:4214:58
Book
£25.50
Wed21Oct
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*Price changes due to the real-time price fluctuations, please refer to the latest price.

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FAQs

  • Are there direct trains from Birmingham to Bristol?

    Yes. CrossCountry runs direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Bristol, including services to Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads.
  • How long is the train from Birmingham to Bristol?

    The quickest journeys to Bristol take around 1 hour 8 minutes. Journey times vary depending on which Bristol station you use and the service you choose.

  • How can I find cheaper Birmingham to Bristol train tickets?

    If you know which train you want, Advance tickets can be cheaper when booked ahead. Split Save checks whether buying separate tickets for different parts of the same journey could reduce the total cost.
  • Should I travel to Bristol Parkway or Bristol Temple Meads?

    Bristol Temple Meads is generally more convenient if you're visiting central Bristol and the Harbourside. Bristol Parkway can be more useful if you're travelling to the north of the city, so check which station works best for your plans.

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