Exploring the Cotwolds by Bus
Exploring the Cotswolds without a car is not only possible—it can be enjoyable, affordable, and more sustainable. While rural services can be less frequent than in cities, with a little planning, you can reach charming villages, countryside attractions, and historic towns with ease.
Good to Know
Thanks to a UK Government initiative, single bus fares are capped at just £3 per adult journey (until at least December 2025), making it an affordable way to travel.
Local Bus Services
Several operators run scheduled bus routes connecting key destinations across the Cotswolds:
Pulhams Coaches
Serving many scenic routes, Pulhams is a great option for getting around:
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Witney → Charlbury → Chipping Norton
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Moreton-in-Marsh → Bourton-on-the-Water → Cheltenham
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Cirencester → Bibury → Northleach → Bourton-on-the-Water
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Mickleton → Chipping Campden → Cheltenham
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Witney → Carterton → Lechlade → Swindon
Download the Pulhams app for live bus tracking, network maps, and timetables.
Stagecoach West
Connects the Cotswolds with nearby cities like Oxford, Gloucester, and Stratford-upon-Avon:
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S2: Cheltenham → Northleach → Burford → Witney → Oxford
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233 & 234: Burford → Minster Lovell → Witney
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77 & 76: Lechlade → Fairford → Cirencester
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66 & 166: Cheltenham → Painswick → Stroud
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1, 1A, 2, 2A: Stratford-upon-Avon → Chipping Campden → Broadway → Moreton-in-Marsh
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94 & 94X: Cheltenham → Gloucester
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620: Stroud → Nailsworth → Tetbury → Westonbirt → Bath
Download the Stagecoach app available for routes, tickets, and live updates.
Faresaver Buses
Serving the Chippenham–Bath area. For Castle Combe, catch the 95/95A.
Coachstyle
Offers local services between Cirencester, Somerford Keynes, Crudwell, and Malmesbury, with connections to Swindon and Chippenham (both with train stations).
Villager Bus
A community-run service linking small villages not served by larger operators—ideal for exploring hidden gems. Services run on selected weekdays.
Arle Transport Hub (Cheltenham)
This hub connects to regional coach services (National Express, FlixBus) and local buses to Gloucester, Cheltenham hospitals, and park-and-ride locations.
On-Demand Travel: The Robin Bus
The Robin is an on-demand minibus service run by Gloucestershire County Council. It's perfect for reaching villages not on scheduled bus routes.
How it works:
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Book via app, website, or phone (0345 263 8139)
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Select your stop and preferred time
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Book from 2 weeks in advance to 1 hour before travel
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Get SMS reminders before your pickup
Where it runs:
Covers North & South Cotswolds, Berkeley Vale, and Tewkesbury—including places like Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Bibury.
Fares:
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Adults: £3
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Children (5–15): £2.50
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Under-5s: Free
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Concessionary passes accepted
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Pay via app, online, cash, or contactless onboard
Other Travel Options & Special Services
Stagecoach Gold DayRider
Unlimited travel across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire:
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£8.10 adult / £7.30 child for a full day
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Not a bus—but worth a mention! This scenic volunteer-run steam railway runs between Cheltenham and Broadway, with themed rides and special events. Explorer passes available.
Heritage Bus No. 11
Running weekends & bank holidays (April–October) from Moreton-in-Marsh to Minster Lovell, via Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Northleach, Burford, and finishing near the Farmer’s Dog Pub. Ride on a nostalgic open-top bus—weather permitting!
Minibus Tours & Guided Day Trips
Several tour companies operate from train stations like Moreton-in-Marsh and Kingham, offering scenic walking and cycling tours, village-hopping trips and hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track experiences.
Traveling the Cotswolds by bus offers a scenic, sustainable, and relaxed way to experience the region—without the stress of driving or parking. Plan ahead, embrace the slower pace, and discover just how easy going car-free can be.