London Paddington to Swindon (Wilts) Trains From £19.50*

The London Paddington to Swindon train takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour on the Great Western Main Line.

Passengers on this route are typically commuters who live in towns like Reading, professionals who work in Swindon's countless business parks and students studying in Bristol - many services continue on to this city. On the way, trains go through London suburbs and the English countryside.

Great Western Railway runs this service and is the main train company for journeys from London to the south west of England and Wales. Destinations include Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and Penzance.

Departing from London Paddington

You can get to Paddington on the Bakerloo, Circle, District or Hammersmith & City lines. The Elizabeth Line stops here too, making it a breeze to travel in from Essex and the East End. Network Rail runs the station, with GWR as the main operator alongside TfL Rail and Heathrow Express - the airport is around 20 minutes away on a fast train.

On the departure boards, look out for trains to Bristol Templemeads, Cardiff Central, Swansea, Cheltenham Spa, and others. These GWR services from Paddington generally all call at Swindon. The station is packed with cafes and food stands if you want to grab refreshments before hopping on the train.

Main stops

The quickest services from London to Swindon just stop at Reading, while others also call at Slough and Didcot Parkway. Remember, Swindon isn't the end of the line - all trains continue onto cities in the South West and Wales.

Arriving at Swindon (Wilts)

Swindon (Wilts) station is conveniently located close to the town centre and onward transport hubs. When you head out of the station, cross over and go down Wellington Street. You can then turn right onto Manchester Road for the bus station or go left down Milford Street and cross Fleming Way to reach the pedestrianised shopping areas.

If you're heading to the outlets, it's about 15 minutes away on foot, just the other side of the steam train museum. Most services to and from Swindon are with Great Western Railway or CrossCountry, with destinations including Bristol, London and even cities in the Midlands.

Great Western Railway train classes

• Standard Class: offers seats with tables at many spots, power sockets and free Wi-Fi. Food and drinks are often available at cost via a trolley service - though this varies by train and route.
• First Class: Gets you wider seats with more legroom, USB ports and more Wi-Fi allowance. Complimentary drinks and snacks are available, too. You'll also have access to the lounge at Paddington.

Great Western Railway train travel advice

• Luggage: Trains have overhead racks and spaces at the end of carriages to store bags. Just remember to keep them out of the aisles and doorways.
• Bicycles: You can take your bike for free without a reservation on off-peak trains - although it's a good idea to book in advance as space is limited. Bikes aren't permitted on trains leaving Paddington between 7:30-9:30.
• Children: Under-5s go free and kids 5-15 get 50% off most tickets. If you travel frequently as a family, consider the Friends & Family railcard.
• Pets: Dogs and cats travel free (up to 2 per person). Keep them on leads or in carriers at all times, and remember, seats are for human passengers only.
• Passenger Assistance: Great Western Railway have wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets on their trains. You can book assistance in advance online, through the Passenger Assistance app or by calling up to 2 hours before your journey. 

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.