Travel Information for Poole

Trains from London Waterloo, the roads in, the ferries out and the buses that connect the beaches to the Quay.

Poole is one of the easier Dorset destinations to reach without a car, which is unusual on this coast.

By train

South Western Railway runs direct from London Waterloo to Poole in around two hours, continuing west towards Weymouth. The station sits in the middle of town, a ten-minute walk from the Quay and the Old Town, and connects to local buses.

By road

The A31 and A35 bring you in from the M27. Expect delays on summer weekends, particularly on the approaches to Sandbanks. See car parking before you commit to driving to a beach in August.

By ferry

Poole is a cross-Channel port, with services to the Channel Islands and France. The much shorter chain ferry crosses the harbour mouth from Sandbanks to Studland in four minutes, taking cars, bikes and foot passengers, and saves a long drive round through Wareham. See Jersey, Guernsey and France.

By air

Bournemouth Airport is roughly twelve miles away, Southampton about forty.

Once you are here

See getting around for buses, boats, bikes and the walk between the main places.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from London to Poole?

Yes. South Western Railway runs direct services from London Waterloo to Poole, taking roughly two hours. Poole station is about a ten-minute walk from the Quay and the Old Town.

How far is Poole from London by car?

Around 110 miles, typically two to two and a half hours via the M3, M27 and A31, though summer Fridays and bank holidays can add substantially to that.

Which airport is closest to Poole?

Bournemouth Airport (BOH) is the nearest, around twelve miles away. Southampton Airport is roughly forty miles, and both Heathrow and Gatwick are reachable by coach and rail.

Can you get a ferry from Poole to France?

Yes. Poole's ferry port runs services to the Channel Islands and to France. Routes and operators change between seasons, so check current timetables before planning around one.

How do you get from Poole to Sandbanks?

Buses run from the town centre and the Quay out along the peninsula to Sandbanks. By car it is about three miles, but parking fills early on hot days, so the bus is often faster door to door.

Planning your visit?

Where to stay in Poole

Sandbanks hotels, harbourside flats a street back from the Quay and the quieter beds out at Hamworthy and Broadstone, with the areas each one suits.

Where to stay →