- Must visit
Nottingham Castle
Historic castle museum on Castle Rock with galleries, caves and exhibitions exploring rebellion, art and the city’s long story.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£0.00
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£2
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 11 m
Buses on 18 Sept
12
Distance
43 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Retford to Nottingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
To travel from Retford to Nottingham you need to make at least one change.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Retford to Nottingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £7 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 47m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, while a train costs an average of £9.
Distance: 43 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£7 Average Price Cheapest | £9 Average Price | £8 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 35m Average total duration 3h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 47m Average total duration Fastest 1h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Retford to Nottingham:
A coach is £2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Retford to Nottingham costing on average £9.
Other travel options to Nottingham take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 5m.
Tickets start at around £7 compared to roughly £8 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £1. The journey takes 3h 5m versus 1h 7m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Retford to Nottingham coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:05 Retford Bus Station | 2h02 | 12:07 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 10:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 12:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 11:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 13:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:05 Retford Bus Station | 2h02 | 14:07 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 14:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 13:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 15:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 14:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 16:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 14:15 Retford Bus Station | 3h02 | 17:17 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 15:10 Retford Bus Station | 3h09 | 18:19 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 16:15 Retford Bus Station | 3h01 | 19:16 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 16:45 Retford Bus Station | 1h55 | 18:40 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 17:20 Retford Bus Station | 2h52 | 20:12 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 18:15 Retford Bus Station | 2h45 | 21:00 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 18:20 Retford Bus Station | 15h31 | 9:51 Nottingham | 2 changes | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 6:05 Retford Bus Station | 1h55 | 8:00 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:30 Retford Bus Station | 2h17 | 9:47 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 8:00 Retford Bus Station | 2h51 | 10:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
![]() | 8:05 Retford Bus Station | 2h46 | 10:51 Nottingham | 2 changes | |
![]() | 9:10 Retford Bus Station | 2h41 | 11:51 Nottingham | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Retford to Nottingham run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 05:16, the last at 23:04. The fastest coach covers the 43 km distance in 1h 55m.
Distance 43 km |
Average bus duration 3h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 1h 55m |
First bus 5:16 |
Last bus 23:04 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Discover the best of Nottingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nottingham trip today.
Historic castle museum on Castle Rock with galleries, caves and exhibitions exploring rebellion, art and the city’s long story.
National museum dedicated to justice, crime and punishment, with immersive courts, cells and law galleries in former legal buildings.
Independent contemporary art gallery in the Lace Market showing changing exhibitions, talks and events in a distinctive modern building.
Historic quarter of warehouses, churches and creative venues, ideal for walking, architecture, independent shops and hidden courtyards.
Central square framed by major civic buildings, fountains and seasonal events, serving as Nottingham’s main gathering place.
Victorian public park with formal gardens, boating lake, deer park and woodland walks beside the dramatic hall.
A soft white cob filled with chips, often with salt, vinegar or curry sauce. It is a classic East Midlands fast-food staple tied to local cob culture.
A local bread roll from Nottingham and the East Midlands, known for its flour-dusted crust and soft centre. It is central to regional sandwich and bakery traditions.
A hard, crumbly blue cheese traditionally made in Nottinghamshire. It is one of England’s best-known historic cheeses and a strong local dairy speciality.
Modern British tasting menus in an intimate, elegant setting. A strong choice for refined dining in the city centre.
Well-known city-centre steakhouse and bar in a historic lace-market cellar. Lively atmosphere with grilled meats and cocktails.
Popular restaurant serving southern Indian dishes and street-food favourites. Casual, colourful and dependable for bold flavours.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses and local transport stay fairly affordable for tourists.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Broadmarsh Bus Station -> Old Market Square, Nottingham
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Retford to Nottingham by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Nottingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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