With so many great travel options and its close proximity to London, our area is very accessible by car, train, coach, bus, plane and ferry. Planning your visit to Christchurch couldn’t be simpler.
By Car
Whether you are travelling by car, motorhome or motorcycle, good directions are always an advantage. When planning your trip you may find it useful to check the Travel Dorset website for the latest travel updates, live public transport information and a useful journey planner.
Christchurch is easily accessible by car. If you are coming for the day and need to find out about local car parking locations and charges please visit this website for further details.
PayByPhone
Making parking effortless. Mobile payment solutions serve over 29 million registered users, across 8 countries. PayByPhone is the most convenient way to pay for parking. It’s easy, either use the app, do it online or call.
Why not consider leaving the car at home and making the most of discovering the Coast with the Most via our fantastic transport links?
Taxis
There are a number of local taxi companies in the local area including PRC Streamline - covering Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and surrounding Dorset.
PRC Streamline
Dorset's premier taxi fleet. Covering Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Ferndown and surrounding area, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing you with a prompt, friendly and reliable taxi service
For Discounted Fixed Price Travel, download our new Taxi Booking App
"PRC Streamline" from the app store or Google play.
Car Hire
If you’re looking for a car for your Staycation, or to explore the local towns and beaches, then try a whole new rental experience with Karzoom.
By Bus and Coach
Our local bus operator is morebus. Christchurch has a great bus service with regular routes to Poole and Bournemouth. There are also buses which go further afield (which may require a change) including Salisbury and the New Forest.
A handy day ticket gives unlimited travel on the majority of bus services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. For more information, visit the local bus operators for more details.
Single Bus Fares Capped at £2 until end of October 2023
As part of Help for Households the Government is subsidising most single bus fares to just £2. This has been extended until October 2023. Tourists and visitors to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area can take advantage of this for the start of the summer tourism season – with a £2 fare representing a significant saving for bus journeys to explore the destinations that surround us. If using a direct bus a day out (two capped single fares) is just £4. However, if you want to hop on and off all day if using morebus a morebus dayrider may offer better value, especially if you are travelling in a group of up to 5 people.
There are a number of coach providers offering holidays and travel to and from Bournemouth Station. Many scheduled coach operators including National Express arrive at Bournemouth Station which is next to the train station and where there are local taxis and buses waiting to take you to your destination.
By Train
Christchurch is well served by the rail network. There is an excellent train service to and from various locations around the UK some with direct routes and others with small changes. South Western Railway operates direct trains from London Waterloo station stopping at Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole.
By Air
A choice of scheduled and charter services are available from Bournemouth Airport, and others in the region to a wide range of short and long haul destinations. Access to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports is easy and convenient by train from Christchurch or by coach departing from Bournemouth Station.
To & From Bournemouth Airport by Bus
If you want to leave your car at home, public transport links are available. Bournemouth Airport is covered by MoreBus Service 737, which serves Bournemouth Railway Station, Winton, Westover Retail Park, Northbourne and Parley Cross.
The service currently runs five days per week, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
By Sea
Continental ferry ports are easily accessible from its neighbouring port of Poole (12 miles), or nearby ports of Southampton and Portsmouth.
Ferries arrive into Poole Port from the following destinations:
Cherbourg (Normandy, France) - travel with Brittany Ferries
Saint-Malo (Brittany, France) - travel with Condor Ferries (via the Channel Islands).
Jersey and Guernsey (Channel Islands) - travel with Condor Ferries.
There are also a number of harbours along the Dorset coast, which welcome visitors travelling with their own boat. Christchurch Harbour is set midway between the Solent and Poole Harbour. Please refer to Christchurch harbour, mooring and dinghy park for further details about facilities, local information, moorings and marine services . In Poole there are two Marinas, Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina are both perfectly positioned to offer a base from which to explore Poole Harbour and its surrounding areas.
Need more information?
Find out more about getting around the Coast with Most, visit the Getting about page for more information on travelling around Bournemouth, Poole, and the South East Dorset conurbation and Travel Dorset website for the latest travel updates, live public transport information and a useful journey planner.
