- Must visit
Museum of Making
Interactive museum in a restored mill exploring making, industry and design through hands-on galleries and working displays.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£21
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£22
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
7 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
7 h 43 m
Buses on 18 Sept
2
Distance
215 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Derby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Derby will cost around £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £21.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 2 buses from London Gatwick Airport to Derby, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 215 km distance in an average of 7 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 35 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from London Gatwick Airport to Derby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £36 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 58m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £36, while a train costs an average of £81.
Distance: 215 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£36 Average Price Cheapest | £81 Average Price | £48 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 39m Average total duration 6h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration Fastest 2h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from London Gatwick Airport to Derby:
A coach is £45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Gatwick Airport to Derby costing on average £81.
Other travel options to Derby take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 9m.
Tickets start at around £36 compared to roughly £48 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £12. The journey takes 6h 9m versus 3h 6m 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.
Direct services are operated by National Express, FlixBus.
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 London Gatwick Airport to Derby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 15:55 London Gatwick Airport | 7h30 | 23:25 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 16:55 London Gatwick Airport | 7h30 | 0:25 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 3:40 London Gatwick Airport | 7h50 | 11:30 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 4:55 London Gatwick Airport | 7h35 | 12:30 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
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 London Gatwick Airport to Derby run on average 37 times per day, taking around 6h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 if you book in advance.
There are 23 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 04:10, the last at 16:50. The fastest coach covers the 215 km distance in 4h 20m.
Distance 215 km |
Average bus duration 6h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Buses per day 37 |
Direct buses 23 |
Fastest bus 4h 20m |
First bus 4:10 |
Last bus 16:50 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Discover the best of Derby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Derby trip today.
Interactive museum in a restored mill exploring making, industry and design through hands-on galleries and working displays.
City museum and art gallery with collections on local history, archaeology, natural history and paintings by Joseph Wright.
Independent contemporary art gallery in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, showing changing exhibitions by regional and national artists.
Historic shopping and cultural quarter with independent businesses, heritage buildings and easy access to key city sights.
Revitalised city-centre square with water features, seating and event space, ideal for a pause between nearby attractions.
Large landscaped park with lakes, open lawns and riverside paths, popular for walks, picnics and seasonal events.
A soft white bread roll unique to Derby, often filled with bacon, cheese or salad. It is a local bakery staple with a name strongly tied to the city.
A blue veined cow’s milk cheese traditionally made in Derbyshire. It is prized for its rich, mellow flavour and long connection to the county’s cheesemaking.
A crumbly, buttery oat biscuit from Derbyshire, traditionally baked on a griddle. It is a historic local bake often served with cheese or butter.
Elegant modern British dining in a refined setting, known for carefully prepared tasting and seasonal menus in the city centre.
Well known Derby ale house and eatery serving British pub dishes, cobs and local beers in a characterful historic building.
Smart yet relaxed restaurant serving Italian inspired dishes, steaks and seafood. Popular for polished service and central location.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is often included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is usual for good service. Round up or add £1-2 for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Derby Bus Station -> Derby City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Gatwick Airport to Derby 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 Derby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most London Gatwick Airport to Derby buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Derby, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare London Gatwick Airport and Derby bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need