Major bus companies have £1 (about $1.50) single fares if you book far enough in advance (prices are as of October 2010). Buses leave hourly from Marlborough Street bus station, the University of West England, or Colston Hall in the city center. All terminate at London Victoria Coach station. The journey takes around two and a half hours.
Bristol has two major stations: the centrally located Bristol Temple Meads, and Bristol Parkway in the northern suburbs. The cheapest fare is an advance single at £10 (about $16; prices are as of October 2010). At least two trains per hour leave from both Bristol train stations for London Paddington. The journey time is shorter, clocking in around one hour and forty minutes.
Booking 12 weeks in advance is ideal because times and dates will just have gone up on train company websites. Booking on your smartphone as you run to the train or bus station is also likely to get you a discount, so never wait until you get to the ticket desk.
