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 Boston and takes around 9h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 1h 48m and costs around $39 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $311 for a 8h 06m 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 Birmingham, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 165 miles and will cost you around $18. From London, the ticket costs about $13 for a journey of 175 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 Boston and takes around 9h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 1h 48m and costs around $39 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $311 for a 8h 06m 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 Birmingham, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 165 miles and will cost you around $18. From London, the ticket costs about $13 for a journey of 175 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (857 reviews)
SWISS
Good (930 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,503 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,606 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (715 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (783 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,446 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,452 reviews)
GOL
Good (686 reviews)
Vueling
Good (811 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (510 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (496 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (154 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (96 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, 1175 reviews)
$200+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1072 reviews)
$143+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 337 reviews)
$306+
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 92 reviews)
$222+
The Park Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 940 reviews)
$116+
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1038 reviews)
$128+

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, 73% 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, 73% 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.