Barnstaple travel guide

Barnstaple Tourism | Barnstaple Guide

You're Going to Love Barnstaple

With a population of 32,532, Barnstaple is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Consider staying at least one whole day in Barnstaple to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Barnstaple

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Waterside (Chivenor Business Park) and Heanton Court (Braunton Rd) are great picks.

When to visit Barnstaple

Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
$65
1 night at 3-star hotel
Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
$65
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Barnstaple

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Exeter Airport (EXT), which is located 37 miles from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from New York and takes around 12h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to Bristol takes 1h 30m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $68 for a 3h 05m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 172 miles from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 105 miles and will cost you around $6. From Newquay, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 125 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Exeter Airport (EXT), which is located 37 miles from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from New York and takes around 12h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to Bristol takes 1h 30m and costs around $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $68 for a 3h 05m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 172 miles from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 105 miles and will cost you around $6. From Newquay, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 125 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (852 reviews)
SWISS
Good (942 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,539 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,614 reviews)
Air France
Good (984 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (715 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (773 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,445 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,435 reviews)
GOL
Good (687 reviews)
Vueling
Good (813 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (504 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (154 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (492 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (97 reviews)
SunExpress
Good (106 reviews)
Corendon Airlines
Okay (12 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Barnstaple

Most booked hotels in Barnstaple

Kentisbury Grange
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 1181 reviews)
$225+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1079 reviews)
$144+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 340 reviews)
$310+
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 99 reviews)
$250+
The Park Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 945 reviews)
$109+
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1040 reviews)
$130+

Renting a car in Barnstaple

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $140 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 65% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay $7.08 per gallon in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $84.94 and $113.26. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Volkswagen up! or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $140 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 65% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay $7.08 per gallon in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $84.94 and $113.26. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Volkswagen up! or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.