London to Derby train with East Midlands Railway

Trains from London to Derby

When booking train tickets from London to Derby you will be completing a journey that covers 113 miles (182 km). To travel this distance, you should allow about 1h 30min travel time. You'll find a variety of different routes, including direct routes and trips with changes. You can expect an average of 25 departing trains every day heading to Derby from London.

London to Derby Train Time: Daily Departures

The London to Derby weekday schedule begins in the early morning and runs throughout the day, with a train leaving every half hour until the final departure from London very late in the evening. Journey times are approximately an hour and a half. Trains that operate this route in the evening tend to take slightly longer to complete the trip. If you are travelling on a Sunday, keep in mind that fewer trains travel to London along this route.

How long is the journey by train from London to Derby?

When travelling by train along this route between London and Derby, you will be travelling a route that spans 113 miles (182 km). When booking train tickets from London to Derby, specific dates and times will affect the travel time needed for this trip, but generally, you should allow for about one and half hours.

Trains from London to Derby: National Gallery in London at night. Source: Shutterstock

What is/are the departure and arrival stations for trains from London to Derby?

Departure train station: Travelers who travel this route most commonly depart from London Victoria train station. The station is around 1.2 miles (2 km) away from the city centre. You will find three modes of public transport available to make the trip from the station to the city centre. You can catch a bus, which leaves every 10min and is a reliable choice. If you want a truly authentic London experience, you might choose to take the subway. Quicker than the bus, the subway offers a trip every 7min along this route. If you are travelling with luggage, your most convenient choice would be to catch a taxi.

Arrival train station: Derby Train Station is the arrivals train station for this journey. It is 0.7 miles (1.2 km) away from the city centre. The station operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is only closed to the public for half an hour each day in the very early hours of the morning. There are first-class lounges at the station available for a fee, serving complimentary tea, coffee and snacks if you find yourself with time to spare before or after your trip. You will also have access to toilet and shower facilities. The station does house an exchange bureau and a post office.

Which train companies travel from London to Derby?

If you're looking for trains from London to Derby, you will be travelling with either East Midlands Trains or West Midlands Railway to get you to Derby. Out of the two available providers, you will find that East Midland provide direct trains from London to Derby. West Midlands Railway has direct trains available, and they also provide a journey with a single change. Direct trains will be faster than the one change option, which generally adds about 30 mins to your travel time.

Night trains Derby

Unfortunately, due to the distance of the route and the train times, there are no dedicated night trains on offer for this route. Several trains arrive in Derby after midnight, but these are all standard trains. East Midlands Railway operates all trains operating past midnight along these routes.

West Midland Railway trains from London to Derby

West Midlands Railways company is the provider that offers train services from London to Derby that include changeovers en route. The route includes a stop at Tamworth station. You will have about 15min to make the change. They also offer direct routes between London and Derby. The duration of the trip is around one and a half hours, and adding the change over stop will increase your travel time by about 30min, sometimes slightly more. Making the total travel time between 2h and 2h 10min.

East Midland Railway trains from London to Derby

East Midland Railway is the most popular service provider from London to Derby. This company only offers direct trains. You will find that the East Midland Railway company offers trains departing every 10min during the morning rush hours on the weekdays. The number of trains decreases during the after-hours and picks up again for the rush home. You will be looking at 1h and 30min to complete this direct train trip with East Midland Railway company.

Trains from London to Derby: Sustainability travel

Travelling by train is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, apart from biking or walking. Taking a train between these two destinations could reduce your CO2 emissions by almost 70% compared to cars and planes. Trains also offer more efficient use of space, transporting many more passengers in a single journey than either. You'll also find less noise pollution on trains. Trains only account for around 3% of global transport emissions.

Train London to Derby: Services on Board

East Midlands Trains luggage allowance is three pieces of luggage, including one small item of hand luggage and two larger bags, which you must store in the baggage container. Oversized items such as surfboards are not allowed. Dogs, cats, birds and other small, domestic animals are welcome on board East Midlands Trains free of charge. You can travel with your bike on the train, but you will need to book in advance. East Midlands trains are accessible to wheelchairs. You can also ride the train if you are using a mobility scooter. Please let the company know before you board. You will be allocated a special area for your scooter or wheelchair that allows you easy access to the entrance and exit of the train and convenient access to the onboard bathrooms. If you are a first-time train traveler, be sure to check out some handy travel tips on our Omio Magazine.

How to find cheap train tickets from London to Derby?

The most effective way to book cheap train tickets from London to Derby if you are travelling on a budget is to make sure you book in advance. The price of a ticket increases as you get closer to the expected departure time, so booking in advance is the most reliable way to ensure you get the best price possible. Booking a train that includes one stop is also a great way to decrease the cost of your ticket, as direct trains are generally more expensive. Another way to make sure you get the best price for your tickets from London to Derby is to be flexible with your travel dates. You'll find that if you're able to move your date either forward or back by a day or two, you might move out of a high traffic period and into a less popular time and date to travel.

Trains from London to Derby: woman working on a train to Derby. Source: Shutterstock

To Derby by train—travel tips

Visiting Derby does boast a great base of operations to explore the rest of the county. It also has a great local public transport system, so getting around is hassle-free. There are all sorts of activities available in Derbyshire, mainly because it's one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the British Isles. Derby is home to a world heritage site. The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site is a series of mill complexes powered by watercourses. Daily tours are a popular activity for tourists visiting the area.

Derby is home to several traditional pub-style experiences and accommodates more fine-dining style travellers. One of the most popular restaurants in the region is The Mixing House, which brings spice to Derby with its rooftop terrace bar, and Indian infused menu. Roosters Bar, Set within parkland golf courses amidst the Derbyshire countryside, the Roosters Bar provides the perfect location to meet with friends. You will find an extensive range of local and traditional ales, lagers, spirits, liqueurs, including a selection of gins.

• The Wonky Table
• Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Cathedral Tours
• Derby River Boat Trips
• Derby Brewing Company Microbrewery Tour