- Recommended
Erewash Museum
Volunteer-run local museum covering Ilkeston's social and industrial history through objects, photographs, and changing displays.
Cheapest price on 23 Sept
£52
Average ticket price on 23 Sept
£52
Fastest journey on 23 Sept
1 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 23 Sept
1 h 40 m
Trains on 23 Sept
1
Distance
67 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Birmingham to Ilkeston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Ilkeston will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £52.
On Wed 23 Sept, we found 1 trains from Birmingham to Ilkeston, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 67 km distance in an average of 1 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 40 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 train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Ilkeston 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 54m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, while a train costs an average of £55.
Distance: 67 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£55 Average Price | £7 Average Price Cheapest | £14 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 20m Average total duration 1h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Ilkeston:
A coach is £48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Ilkeston costing on average £55.
Other travel options to Ilkeston take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 50m.
Tickets start at around £55 compared to roughly £14 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-41.14. The journey takes 1h 24m versus 1h 7m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Compare coach and train 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.
Trains from Birmingham to Ilkeston run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £52 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:53, the last at 21:42. The fastest train covers the 67 km distance in 1h 23m.
Distance 67 km |
Average train duration 1h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £52 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 1h 23m |
First train 5:53 |
Last train 21:42 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Ilkeston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ilkeston trip today.
Volunteer-run local museum covering Ilkeston's social and industrial history through objects, photographs, and changing displays.
Nearby community museum on the former Bennerley School site, presenting local education and everyday history with volunteer-led exhibits.
Independent arts venue with exhibitions, performances, and workshops. A useful stop for contemporary local creativity near the town centre.
Large country park on Ilkeston's edge with woodland, lakes, and marked trails. Ideal for longer walks and a mix of nature and heritage.
The town's principal park with formal gardens, play areas, and event spaces. A pleasant base for a relaxed walk close to the centre.
Linear waterside route popular for walking and cycling, offering a quieter side of Ilkeston and links to surrounding countryside.
A soft white bread roll from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, often filled with bacon, cheese or cobs-and-beer staples. It is a strong local identity marker.
A traditional Derbyshire pudding made with dried fruit, spice and suet, usually served sliced with custard. It is a classic county comfort dessert.
A baked tart of curd cheese, eggs, sugar and currants linked with Derbyshire baking traditions. It is a well-known regional teatime treat.
Popular Ilkeston Indian restaurant serving classic curries and tandoori dishes in a relaxed, established setting.
Established Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and classic mains, suited to relaxed meals with family or friends.
Well-known local pub and restaurant offering British favourites, grills and drinks in a traditional, casual atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK. Dining and local transport are manageable, while hotels nearby can raise overall trip costs compared with cheaper Midlands towns.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is appreciated if service is not included. Round up in taxis. Cafes and pubs usually do not expect tips, but small change is welcome.
Although direct rail connections are not available, there are regular indirect trains from Birmingham to Ilkeston, requiring one change. Journeys begin with early morning CrossCountry Trains departures from Birmingham, connecting with East Midland Trains services at Nottingham. There are hourly departures throughout the day, until the final connection leaves Birmingham in mid evening. Sunday services are less frequent, with a first departure in late morning. Journey times are around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Trains from Birmingham to Ilkeston depart from New Street Station in the city centre, arriving at Ilkeston Station, situated about one mile north-east of the town centre.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Ilkeston by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ilkeston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Birmingham to Ilkeston trains use the Birmingham New Street to Ilkeston station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Ilkeston train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Birmingham New Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: All Bar One, Leon, Caffè Nero, Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, The Pasty Shop, Upper Crust, Wasabi, Starbucks, Hotel Chocolat
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available from Sky Wi-Fi The Cloud. ATMs are aTM machines are located on the paid concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:15 - 23:00, Sun: 07:30 - 23:00. Information desks are in the middle of the station.
Luggage storage is you can leave bags with Excess Baggage Co inside the entrance off Hill Street. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham New Street: Step-free access in the whole station and ramps available for train access. All platforms have elevators and escalators.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Birmingham City Center, Premier Inn Birmingham City Center (New St Station), Radisson Blue Hotel, Birmingham.
Ilkeston is 1 km from Ilkeston city centre. Public transport options include:
Ilkeston has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ilkeston.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23.
Available at Ilkeston: Parking.
Available at Ilkeston: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ilkeston: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Level access to platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need