Swanage travel guide

Swanage Tourism | Swanage Guide

You're Going to Love Swanage

With a population of 11,344, Swanage is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Swanage deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

When to visit Swanage

Swanage in October
Estimated hotel price
£64
1 night at 3-star hotel
Swanage in October
Estimated hotel price
£64
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Swanage

Plane

When flying to Swanage, you’ll arrive at Bournemouth (BOH), which is located 21 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Swanage departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swanage, followed by Train. The train journey from Swanage to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around £30 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £20 for a 2h 03m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Swanage is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 162 km from Swanage. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Swanage, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Reading, the bus ride to Swanage takes 153 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 217 km.

Plane

When flying to Swanage, you’ll arrive at Bournemouth (BOH), which is located 21 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Swanage departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Swanage, followed by Train. The train journey from Swanage to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around £30 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £20 for a 2h 03m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Swanage is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 162 km from Swanage. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Swanage, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Reading, the bus ride to Swanage takes 153 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £7 for a journey of 217 km.

Airports near Swanage

Airlines serving Swanage

Lufthansa
Good (4,623 reviews)
KLM
Good (850 reviews)
SWISS
Good (927 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,466 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,607 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,294 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,547 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (476 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,930 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,484 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,746 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (877 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,161 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (916 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Swanage

Average rates range from around £111 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £111 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Swanage

Most booked hotels in Swanage

The Pines Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£109+
Railway Cottage
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£66+
Yha Swanage
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£25+
Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
£118+
Grand Hotel Swanage
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£91+
The Knoll House
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£108+

Hiring a car in Swanage

Hiring a car in Swanage costs £43 per day, on average, or £85 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 16% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Swanage (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.82 and £23.76. The most frequently booked car type in Swanage is Intermediate (Nissan Qashqai or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) is, on average, 23% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Swanage costs £43 per day, on average, or £85 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 16% more expensive than at London Heathrow.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Swanage (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.82 and £23.76. The most frequently booked car type in Swanage is Intermediate (Nissan Qashqai or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) is, on average, 23% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.