Bournemouth is just a 2-hour train from London so it’s easily one of the top choices for a beach getaway especially if you’ve been to Brighton (just 1 hour from London) and you’re looking for sand and not rocks.

This trip was my second time to explore Bournemouth. My first was when I treated myself for beach therapy after I passed my second take of the OSCE exam. But that was a rainy and chilly March so I didn’t get to enjoy the beach that much. This time, with friends, I was able to see nearby beaches and attractions.

Transportation

We chose Bournemouth as our base. Travel is with the South Western Railway from London Waterloo. Our return fare was £42 per person.

We used Uber from Bournemouth Station to the Pier and Boscombe Beach. At Sandbanks, we tried to book an Uber back to Bournemouth but there was no driver around the area.

We took the bus wherein you can pay through contactless card. On the second day when we went to Blue Pool and Studland Bay, we purchased via the More Bus app Clickit2ride to save on fare.

That’s £24.50 for three of us, unlimited until the end of the bus service for the day (2 AM I think). We basically took the m1, m2, and the breezer buses (no rooftop on the 2nd deck) 30, 40, 50 going around. It also includes the crossing from Swanage to Sandbanks and vice versa.

Itinerary

Day 1

10:35 – 12:29   London Waterloo to Bournemouth Station
                       – Lunch
                       – Check in at AirBnB and rest
5 – 6 PM          Bus to Sandbanks Bay for the sunset
8 PM               Back to Bournemouth

Day 2

9 AM              Bus to Dolphin Shopping Centre for the bus to Blue Pool
10:50 AM       Bus to Blue Pool ’cause we didn’t make the 9:50 bus
11:40              Arrived at Blue Pool
3 – 4 PM         Bus to Studland Bay
6 PM              Bus back to Bournemouth to catch our dinner reservation at Bournemouth
8 PM              Dinner at Crab Restaurant

Day 3

10 AM             Check out AirBnB
                       Chill at Boscombe Beach and Lunch at Keywest Restaurant at Boscombe Pier
15:22 – 17:24   Back to London

Check out the video series of our trip

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Photo credits: Margaret (check her YouTube channel too) and Karen