Get to Windsor Castle From Doncaster

Key Points

• Windsor Castle is approximately 175 miles (282 km) from Doncaster via the M1, about 179 miles (288 km) via the A1, and roughly 190 miles (306 km) via the M40.
• By car, the fastest and most straightforward route is via the M1, covering about 175 miles in approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes, taking you along major motorways, including the M1, M25 and M4, before joining local roads through Datchet and the B470, to reach the castle.
• Alternatively, you can go via the A1, which is slightly longer at 179 miles and takes around 3 hours and 3 minutes, offering a scenic drive through Bedfordshire with a transfer to the M1 near Milton Keynes.
• A third car option via the M40 is the longest at 190 miles, taking about 3 hours and 8 minutes, and is a good choice during times of heavy traffic on the M1 or A1, although less direct.
• By train, the quickest and most efficient route is to take an LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, followed by a short Underground trip to Paddington, then a GWR train to Slough, and finally a shuttle train to Windsor & Eton Central, from which the castle is a 7-minute walk. This journey typically takes around 2 hours and 46 minutes, making it the best overall option for speed, reliability, and comfort—especially avoiding motorway congestion and offering smoother transfers.

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🚗 Travel from Doncaster to Windsor Castle by Car

Route	Distance	Estimated Time	Motorways / Roads Used	Notable Points
Via M1 (Fastest Route)	~175 miles	~2 hr 58 min	M18 → M1 → M25 → M4 → B470	Most direct, heavy motorway use, good for speed
Via A1	~179 miles	~3 hr 03 min	A1(M) → A421 → M1 → M25 → M4 → B470	Slightly longer, passes Bedford, watch A421 closures
Via M40	~190 miles	~3 hr 08 min	M18 → M1 → A42 → M42 → M40 → A404 → M4	Longest route, scenic, avoids M1/M25 congestion points

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🚆 Travel from Doncaster to Windsor Castle by Train

Route	Total Time	Transfers	Key Stations	Notes
Route 1 & 6 (via Paddington–Slough–Windsor)	~2 hr 46–47 min	3 (Underground + 2 trains)	King’s Cross → Paddington → Slough → Windsor Central	Fastest, efficient changes, short walk
Route 2 (via Vauxhall–Windsor Riverside)	~3 hr 10 min	2 (Underground + 1 train)	King’s Cross → Vauxhall → Windsor Riverside	Scenic, longer due to more stops
Route 3 (via Slough + Bus)	~3 hr 15 min	3 (Tube, train, bus)	King’s Cross → Paddington → Slough → Windsor	Bus adds variability, longer
Route 4 (via Farringdon + Elizabeth Line)	~3 hr 09 min	3 (Thameslink, Elizabeth line, GWR)	King’s Cross → Farringdon → Slough → Windsor	Good balance of comfort/speed
Route 5 (Bus to Elizabeth Line)	~3 hr 09 min	3 (Bus, Elizabeth line, GWR)	King’s Cross → Tottenham Ct Rd → Slough → Windsor	Traffic-dependent, less reliable during peak hours

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Getting to Windsor Castle from Doncaster by Car

Route 1: Via M1 (Fastest Route)

Travelling from Doncaster to Windsor Castle by car via the M1 is the fastest option under usual traffic. The journey covers a distance of approximately 175 miles and takes around 2 hours and 58 minutes, depending on traffic.

Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide for this route:

1. Depart from Doncaster

Begin your journey by heading southwest from the town centre:

• Head southwest toward Prince’s Street (92 ft)
• Turn right onto Prince’s Street (167 ft)
• At the roundabout, continue straight onto Thorne Road (0.1 mi)
• Turn right toward Thorne Road (121 ft), then
• Turn right onto Thorne Road again (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Waterdale (456 ft)
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Chequer Road (443 ft)
• Turn right onto College Road (0.2 mi), then
• Turn left to stay on College Road (226 ft)

Next:

• At Council House Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Trafford Way/A638 (0.2 mi)
• At Sidings Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto White Rose Way/A6182 (0.4 mi)
• At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit to remain on White Rose Way/A6182 (0.7 mi)
• Keep right to stay on White Rose Way/A6182 (1.2 mi)
• At St Catherines Interchange, take the 3rd exit onto the M18 ramp signposted A1(M)/Sheffield/M1 (0.5 mi)

2. Continue on the Motorways: M18 → M1 → M25 → M4

This section forms the core of the motorway journey:

• Merge onto the M18 (8.5 mi)
• Use the right 2 lanes to take the exit toward M1/Nottingham (2.0 mi)
• Merge onto the M1 (58.8 mi)
• Keep right to stay on the M1 (75.9 mi)

At Junction 6A:

• Use the 3rd lane from the left to take the M25 exit to M40/M4/Heathrow Airport (0.8 mi)
• Use the right lane to take the ramp onto the M25 (18.8 mi)
• At Junction 15, use the left 2 lanes to merge onto the M4 towards Slough (2.2 mi)
• Take the A4 exit toward Colnbrook/B470/Datchet/Langley (0.3 mi)

3. Final Leg: From M4 to Windsor Castle via B470

The final part of your journey takes you through local roads to reach Windsor Castle:

• At Langley Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Major’s Farm Road/B470 (1.7 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto London Road/B376/B470 (210 ft)
• At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto High Street/B470 (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Windsor Road/B470 (1.4 mi)
• Turn left onto Thames Street/B3022 – note: parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days (0.2 mi)
• Turn left onto Castle Hill (266 ft)

You will arrive at Windsor Castle.

This route offers a straightforward drive, mostly along major motorways, making it suitable for those looking for efficiency and speed. Always check for live traffic updates or road closures—especially on the final approach through Windsor—as conditions may vary.

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Route 2: Via A1

This alternative route from Doncaster to Windsor Castle takes slightly longer than the fastest option but remains viable. The journey covers approximately 179 miles and typically takes around 3 hours and 3 minutes under normal driving conditions.

Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide:

1. Depart from Doncaster

Start your journey from Doncaster town centre:

• Head southwest toward Prince’s Street (92 ft)
• Turn right onto Prince’s Street (167 ft)
• At the roundabout, continue straight onto Thorne Road (0.1 mi)
• Turn right toward Thorne Road (121 ft), then
• Turn right onto Thorne Road again (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Waterdale (456 ft)
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Chequer Road (443 ft)
• Turn right onto College Road (0.2 mi), then
• Turn left to stay on College Road (226 ft)

Continue towards the A1(M):

• At Council House Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Trafford Way/A638 (0.2 mi)
• At Sidings Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Carr House Road/A18 (0.4 mi)
• Use any lane to turn left onto Balby Road/A630 and continue following the A630 (1.0 mi)
• Continue straight onto Warmsworth Road/A630 (0.9 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A1(M) ramp towards Newark/M18/M1 (0.2 mi)

2. A1 Southbound Towards Bedford

This segment is a long stretch south along the A1:

• Merge onto A1(M) (9.1 mi)
• Continue onto A1 (72.5 mi)
• Continue onto A1(M) again (12.9 mi)
• Continue back onto A1 (4.8 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to stay on A1 (8.0 mi)
• Keep right to continue on Great North Road/A1 (259 ft)

3. Transfer to M1 via A421

This section takes you westward toward the M1:

• At Black Cat Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A421 (17.4 mi)
  • Note: Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days
• Take the exit toward M1 South (0.3 mi)
• Use the left lane to take the ramp toward Ampthill/Ridgmont/A507/A4012/M1 (371 ft)
• Merge onto Salford Road (0.1 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the M1 ramp to London (0.2 mi)

4. Continue on M1 and M25 to M4

This stretch leads you into the Greater London area:

• Merge onto the M1 (24.1 mi)
• At Junction 6A, use the 3rd lane from the left to take the M25 exit to M40/M4/Heathrow Airport (0.8 mi)
• Use the right lane to take the ramp onto M25 (18.8 mi)
• At Junction 15, use the left 2 lanes to merge onto M4 towards Slough (2.2 mi)
• Take the A4 exit toward Colnbrook/B470/Datchet/Langley (0.3 mi)

5. Final Stretch to Windsor Castle via B470

Complete the journey by entering Windsor via local roads:

• At Langley Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Major’s Farm Road/B470 (1.7 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto London Road/B376/B470 (210 ft)
• At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto High Street/B470 (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Windsor Road/B470 (1.4 mi)
• Turn left onto Thames Street/B3022
  • Note: Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days (0.2 mi)
• Turn left onto Castle Hill (266 ft)

You will then arrive at Windsor Castle.

This A1 route offers a slightly longer but scenic alternative, ideal for drivers who prefer to avoid the M1 for part of the journey or wish to travel through Bedfordshire. Be mindful of potential closures on the A421 and check traffic reports ahead of time.

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Route 3: Via M40

This third option offers a longer but potentially scenic route to Windsor Castle, particularly useful for those travelling west or seeking to avoid heavy traffic on the M1 or A1. The journey covers approximately 190 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes under usual driving conditions.

Here is the full, step-by-step breakdown of this route:

1. Depart from Doncaster

Begin your journey in Doncaster:

• Head southwest toward Prince’s Street (92 ft)
• Turn right onto Prince’s Street (167 ft)
• At the roundabout, continue straight onto Thorne Road (0.1 mi)
• Turn right toward Thorne Road (121 ft), then
• Turn right onto Thorne Road again (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Waterdale (456 ft)
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Chequer Road (443 ft)
• Turn right onto College Road (0.2 mi)
• Turn left to stay on College Road (226 ft)

Continue your way toward the motorway:

• At Council House Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Trafford Way/A638 (0.2 mi)
• At Sidings Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto White Rose Way/A6182 (0.4 mi)
• At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on White Rose Way/A6182 (0.7 mi)
• Keep right to stay on White Rose Way/A6182 (1.2 mi)
• At St Catherine’s Interchange, take the 3rd exit onto the M18 ramp toward A1(M)/Sheffield/M1 (0.5 mi)

2. Travel South via M1 and A42

Continue south via the M1:

• Merge onto M18 (8.5 mi)
• Use the right 2 lanes to take the exit toward M1/Nottingham (2.0 mi)
• Merge onto M1 (41.7 mi)
• Take the A42 exit toward Birmingham (0.4 mi)
• Continue onto A42 (14.0 mi)

3. Follow M42, M40 and A404 to the M4

This long stretch brings you into Berkshire:

• Continue onto M42 (signs for Tamworth/Birmingham) (14.8 mi)
• Use the right lane to merge onto M42/M6 Toll toward M5 SW/M40/Birmingham S/N.E.C/London/Coventry (1.1 mi)
• Keep left to continue on M42, following signs for The SW/M5/London (S&W)/M40/Coventry (S&W)/Birmingham (S)/N.E.C/Airport (12.1 mi)
• At Junction 3A, use the left 2 lanes to merge onto M40 toward London/Warwick/Stratford (74.2 mi)
• At Junction 4, take the A404 exit to High Wycombe/Marlow/M4/Maidenhead (0.3 mi)
• Use the right 2 lanes to take the ramp to A404 (230 ft)
• At Handy Cross Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A404 (4.4 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on A404 (3.0 mi)
• Keep right to continue on A404(M), following signs for Reading/Slough/Windsor/M4 (2.5 mi)
• Use the middle lane to turn slightly left onto Holyport Interchange (322 ft)
• Use the middle lane to take the M4 exit toward London (0.2 mi)
• Slight right to merge onto M4 (4.4 mi)
• Take the exit toward A355 (0.3 mi)

4. Final Segment Into Windsor

Approaching Windsor Castle via A355 and local roads:

• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto A355 (0.5 mi)
• Continue onto Royal Windsor Way/A332 (1.2 mi)
• Slight left onto Clarence Road
  • Go through 1 roundabout (0.5 mi)
• Continue onto Victoria Street (0.3 mi)
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sheet Street/B3022
  • Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days (0.2 mi)
• Turn right onto Castle Hill (266 ft)

You have arrived at Windsor Castle.

This M40-based route is the longest of the three but may offer smoother traffic and fewer major junctions depending on travel times. It’s particularly useful if you’re travelling during peak congestion hours on the M1 or A1.

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How to Get to Windsor Castle From Doncaster by Train

Travelling by train from Doncaster to Windsor Castle offers several route options, with journey times typically ranging between 2 hours 46 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes, depending on the connections chosen and the transfer method between key London stations.

All routes begin with a direct LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, a journey that consistently takes about 1 hour 35 to 1 hour 42 minutes, depending on the number of stops. Once in London, onward travel to Windsor requires either a combination of underground, national rail, and walking or the use of bus and train services. Here’s how the options vary:

Route 1: Via King’s Cross to Paddington to Slough to Windsor & Eton Central

Journey Time: ~2 hr 46 min to 2 hr 47 min
This is typically the fastest option.

• After arriving at King’s Cross, passengers transfer via a 5-minute walk to the Underground at King’s Cross St. Pancras.
• A 10-minute Tube journey on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line takes you to Paddington.
• A GWR service runs non-stop from Paddington to Slough (18 minutes).
• A short walk and a quick 6-minute shuttle train take you to Windsor & Eton Central, just a 7-minute walk from Windsor Castle.

✅ Why it’s quicker:
Efficient transitions, minimal walking distances, and short transfer times make this route the most time-effective.

Route 2: Via Vauxhall to Windsor & Eton Riverside

Journey Time: ~3 hr 10 min

• After reaching King’s Cross, a 3-minute walk leads to the Victoria line at King’s Cross St. Pancras.
• A 10-minute Tube ride to Vauxhall is followed by a 49-minute train ride on the South Western Railway to Windsor & Eton Riverside, involving 12 stops.
• From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Windsor Castle.

📍 Why it’s longer:
The key difference here is the greater number of stops on the South Western Railway line and a slightly longer walking distance to the castle. It’s a more scenic but less time-efficient route.

Route 3: Via Slough and Local Bus

Journey Time: ~3 hr 15 min

• After using the same King’s Cross–Paddington–Slough route as Route 1, passengers take a 7-minute walk to Wellington Street (Stop H).
• Then, they board a local bus (703 Flightline) for about 24 minutes (7 stops) to Parish Church in Windsor.
• A 2-minute walk brings you to Windsor Castle.

📍 Why it’s longer:
The bus leg adds both time and potential variability due to road conditions or delays, making this route less consistent than the rail-only alternatives.

Route 4: Via Farringdon and the Elizabeth Line

Journey Time: ~3 hr 9 min

• After arriving at King’s Cross, a 4-minute walk takes you to St Pancras International, from where you take a 4-minute Thameslink train to Farringdon.
• After a short wait, the Elizabeth line offers a direct 38-minute ride to Slough.
• A 6-minute GWR shuttle gets you to Windsor & Eton Central, followed by the usual 7-minute walk.

✅ Efficiency Note:
Though a bit longer than Route 1, this route is relatively seamless and avoids heavy reliance on the Underground. It balances speed and comfort well, particularly during busy travel hours.

Route 5: Bus from King’s Cross to Tottenham Court Road, then Elizabeth Line

Journey Time: ~3 hr 9 min

• After walking from King’s Cross to a bus stop, passengers take a 10-minute bus ride to Tottenham Court Road.
• From there, they board the Elizabeth line for 35 minutes to Slough, continuing via the usual GWR and a short walk to the castle.

📍 Why this varies:
Public buses through central London are prone to congestion and can vary in timing. While convenient during off-peak times, it’s less reliable during heavy traffic.

Route 6: Late Morning Option

Journey Time: ~2 hr 46 min

• Identical in structure to Route 1, this is simply a later departure at 10:57 AM from Doncaster.
• Total travel time is shorter due to efficient transfers and quick connections.

🕑 Summary of Journey Times Across All Routes:

Route Description	Approx. Journey Time
King’s Cross → Paddington → Slough → Windsor (Route 1 & 6)	2 hr 46 min – 2 hr 47 min
King’s Cross → Vauxhall → Windsor Riverside (Route 2)	3 hr 10 min
Paddington → Slough → Bus (Route 3)	3 hr 15 min
St Pancras → Thameslink → Elizabeth line → Slough (Route 4)	3 hr 9 min
Bus to Tottenham Court Rd → Elizabeth line (Route 5)	3 hr 9 min

🚉 Final Thoughts:

The Paddington–Slough–Windsor & Eton Central route is the fastest and most reliable option, thanks to fewer interchanges and speedier train services. However, if you’re travelling during peak times or want to avoid the London Underground, the Elizabeth Line route via Farringdon or Tottenham Court Road provides a modern, air-conditioned alternative with good accessibility.

Each route offers its own trade-off between speed, comfort, and number of changes—ideal for tailoring your journey based on personal preference and timing.

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Conclusion

Whether travelling by car or train from Doncaster to Windsor Castle, several viable options depend on your priorities. For drivers, the M1 route offers the fastest and most direct motorway journey, while the A1 and M40 provide scenic or alternative paths in case of traffic. However, the train route via London King’s Cross and Paddington stands out as the most efficient and comfortable overall, typically taking around 2 hours and 46 minutes. Ultimately, your choice will depend on factors such as time, convenience, and preferred mode of travel.

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