Cost of commuting from Swindon to London

Swindon is on the Great Western Main Line, with direct services to London Paddington. Commuting by train is a major cost for many. Fares depend on when you travel, how often, and whether you buy a season ticket or individual tickets. This guide explains how to find current fares and budget for the commute.

Train and railway – commuting
Swindon to London by train – plan your commute and budget. Credit: Unsplash
~1 hrSwindon → London Paddington
GWRDirect services
Season ticketOften cheaper for regulars
Fares change – check GWR or National Rail for current prices
Ticket typeNotes
Single / returnPeak vs off-peak – check GWR/National Rail
Weekly seasonFor 5-day commuters
Monthly seasonOften cheaper per journey than daily
Annual season~10–11 months of monthly – saves if commuting most days

Source: GWR / National Rail

Factor in station parking

If you drive to Swindon station, add parking costs. See parking in Swindon. Park & ride or drop-off can reduce costs.

Key links

Train times and fares
GWR (Great Western Railway)
National Rail – fares and season tickets
nationalrail.co.uk
Swindon station
Check GWR for parking, accessibility, and facilities

Swindon to London by train

Great Western Railway (GWR) runs direct services from Swindon to London Paddington. Journey time is typically under an hour. Fares vary by time of day (peak vs off-peak), advance purchase, and whether you have a railcard. For regular commuters, a season ticket (weekly, monthly, or annual) usually works out cheaper than buying daily tickets.

How much does it cost?

Fares are set by the operator and government and change (often each January). For current single, return, and season ticket prices, use National Rail or GWR. We don’t quote specific figures here as they go out of date. As a rough guide: an annual season ticket is often the equivalent of around 10–11 months of monthly tickets, so if you commute most days, an annual ticket can save money.

Parking at Swindon station

If you drive to the station, factor in parking. See parking in Swindon and the station’s own parking information for charges and availability. Some commuters use park & ride or drop-off to avoid station parking costs.

Alternatives

Some people drive part of the way or use coach services. Working from home some days reduces the number of trips. For a comparison of living costs in Swindon vs London and other cities, see Is Swindon cheaper than Reading, Oxford or Bristol?.

Train times and fares

Current single, return, and season ticket prices.

GWR – Swindon to London

Information correct as of February 2026. Fares change. Always check GWR or National Rail for current prices.