United Kingdom

How to get from London to Paignton

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
5h 28min
💶
From
26€
📍
Distance
268 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from London to Paignton: Coach, about 5h 28min, from €26. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): National Express; main departure point: Victoria Bus Station.

Distance: 268 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from London to Paignton

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Coach
5h 28min – 6h
26 – 28 €
View
🚌 Departure from London
📍Victoria Coach Station, Buckingham Palace Road, London. It is the main terminal for long-distance coaches and is separate from Victoria railway station. Arrive early, keep your e-ticket handy and check the departure boards for your bay.
🚇Take the Underground to Victoria station (District, Circle and Victoria lines) and walk to the coach station. Many London buses also stop nearby, and a taxi can drop you right at the entrance if you have heavy luggage.
⏰Coaches run several times a day. First and last departures vary by day and season, so check the booking page for the current timetable and avoid the last coach of the day.
💸 Transport from 26€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 5h 28min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 5, 2026 for a departure on November 26, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
National Express Bus Victoria Bus Station €26 3
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Practical tips

💡
Book early for the lowest fare

Fares depend on the day, the hour and how far ahead you book. Reserve your coach online as soon as your dates are fixed, and avoid buying on the day of travel, when the cheapest seats are usually gone.

💡
Go to the right Victoria

Coaches usually leave from Victoria Coach Station, which is separate from Victoria railway station, although the two are close. Check the departure point on your e-ticket and head to the coach station, not the train concourse.

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Compare before paying a walk-up train fare

Train tickets bought at the station on the day can be expensive, and ticket types are confusing. Compare with the coach in the table on this page before you commit, so you don't overpay when a cheaper option exists.

💡
Allow a buffer after your flight

If you land at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, don't book a tight same-day connection. Allow time for immigration, luggage and the transfer into London, and keep a flexible plan in case of delays.

💡
Plan ahead for peak days

Bank holidays and summer weekends are busy on the way to the Devon coast, and coaches can sell out. Book ahead, arrive at the station in good time and keep your e-ticket saved on your phone.

The journey experience

Heading from London to Paignton means reaching the English Riviera on the Devon coast, and without a car the question is simple: which option is the smartest? For this route, the coach is the verified option. The comparison table on this page shows its duration and price range, so you can judge it at a glance.

The coach is a straightforward, comfortable way to reach Devon. You board in central London, settle into your seat, store your luggage in the hold and let the road do the work, with no station changes to worry about. Facilities vary from coach to coach, so check your booking for details such as power sockets or Wi-Fi. It suits budget travellers, students and families heading for the beach.

British fares move with the day, the hour and how early you book, so don't leave it to the last minute. Book online in advance for the best price, and be extra careful on bank holidays and summer weekends, when seats sell out. Before you leave, check the London departure point on your e-ticket so you don't end up at the wrong station. Instant e-ticket confirmation means you can travel with your plan locked in.

Frequently asked questions — London → Paignton

Why visit Paignton?

  • ✓ Stroll along Paignton Pier and the Esplanade, with its classic seaside arcades and sandy Blue Flag beach
  • ✓ Ride the Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton to Kingswear through scenic Devon coastline
  • ✓ Visit Paignton Zoo, home to over 2,000 animals and a leading conservation centre
  • ✓ Explore Oldway Mansion and its Italian-style gardens, inspired by the Singer family estate
  • ✓ Discover Kents Cavern in nearby Torquay, a prehistoric cave system with guided tours
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 3 nights — enough for the beach, zoo, steam railway and a Torbay day trip

When to visit Paignton?

TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE

June to September — warmest, sunniest weather for the beach, with long days and lively seaside attractions

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
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In Paignton — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Paignton
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Paignton?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🚂
Dartmouth Steam Railway Journey
Board a heritage steam train at Paignton station and ride along the Torbay coast to Kingswear, with views over Goodrington and the Dart estuary. Trains mostly run April to October, with some winter events. Tickets from about 17€ return. Sit on the seaward side and book ahead in summer.
🦁
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
One of England's largest zoos, with over 2,000 animals across 80 acres, including giraffes, lions and orangutans, plus a botanical garden. Allow at least four hours. Adult entry costs roughly 25€, cheaper online. Arrive at opening to see animals at their most active, and bring a picnic.
🏖️
Paignton Beach and Pier
The wide red-sand beach fronts a lively promenade with a Victorian pier, arcades and ice cream stalls. It is shallow and sheltered, ideal for families. Visit in the early morning or after 17:00 in summer to avoid crowds. Deckchairs rent for a few euros, and parking along the seafront fills quickly.
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Oldway Mansion and Gardens
Former home of the Singer sewing machine heir, Oldway Mansion is a grand Versailles-inspired building with a marble staircase and Italianate gardens. The grounds are free to enter all year, and the ground floor is often open for events. Check opening times locally, as restoration work affects access to the interior.
🛥️
Ferry to Dartmouth via Kingswear
Combine the steam train with the short river ferry from Kingswear to Dartmouth, a pretty harbour town with Tudor streets, Britannia Royal Naval College views and good seafood cafés. Plan a full day. The ferry costs around 2€ one way. Check the last return train time before lingering over lunch.
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Compton Castle Fortified Manor
A rare fortified medieval manor just outside Paignton, run by the National Trust, with a great hall, kitchen and walled gardens. Open mostly spring to autumn, usually in the afternoons, so check dates. Entry around 10€ for adults, free for National Trust members. The lanes are narrow, so driving slowly is wise.
🦀
Fish and Chips at Brixham Harbour
Brixham, a short bus ride from Paignton, is one of England's busiest fishing ports. Eat fresh fish and chips or crab sandwiches on the quayside, from around 12€. Walk to the golden hind replica and the breakwater lighthouse. Go at lunchtime and watch for seagulls snatching your food.
🌅
Goodrington Sands Sunset Walk
Walk the South West Coast Path from Paignton to Goodrington Sands and on to Elberry Cove and Churston, passing quiet coves and cliff views. Allow around two hours each way. It is free and best at golden hour. Wear sturdy shoes, as some sections are uneven, and carry water.

How long to visit Paignton?

2 to 3 days

Paignton works best as a 2 to 3 day stop on the English Riviera. In one day, cover the beach, the pier, Paignton Zoo and a ride on the Dartmouth Steam Railway; with 3 days, add Torquay, Brixham harbour and Kents Cavern. Base yourself here for easy train and bus links, and book steam railway and zoo tickets online to save time and money.

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