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 59 km from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 10h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 1h 47m and costs around $80 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $57 for a 3h 27m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.8 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 277 km 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 London, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 282 km and will cost you around $7. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $17 for a journey of 499 km. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.2 km from the city center.

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Exeter Airport (EXT), which is located 59 km from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 10h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 1h 47m and costs around $80 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $57 for a 3h 27m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.8 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 277 km 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 London, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 282 km and will cost you around $7. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $17 for a journey of 499 km. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.2 km from the city center.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (847 reviews)
SWISS
Good (928 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,460 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (708 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (776 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,447 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,450 reviews)
GOL
Good (683 reviews)
Vueling
Good (813 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (513 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (492 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (152 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (96 reviews)
Corendon Airlines
Okay (13 reviews)
SunExpress
Good (104 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, 1170 reviews)
$200+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1065 reviews)
$143+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 333 reviews)
$253+
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 91 reviews)
$222+
The Park Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 942 reviews)
$118+
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1037 reviews)
$129+

Renting a car in Barnstaple

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $193 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 78% more expensive than at Cardiff Wales.

Expect to pay $7.04 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 $84.49 and $112.65. Compact (Vauxhall Astra or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Barnstaple, while also 66% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $193 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 78% more expensive than at Cardiff Wales.

Expect to pay $7.04 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 $84.49 and $112.65. Compact (Vauxhall Astra or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Barnstaple, while also 66% cheaper than other types, on average.