- Recommended
Erewash Museum
Volunteer-run local museum covering Ilkeston's social and industrial history through objects, photographs, and changing displays.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£75
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£110
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 54 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 2 m
Trains on 18 Sept
6
Distance
181 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London to Ilkeston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Ilkeston will cost around £110 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £75.
To travel from London to Ilkeston you need to make at least one change.
W70861+
G89746
C21643+
G89752
W70852+
G89736
W70854+
G89740
C21769 · C04347
W70861+
G89746
C21643+
G89752
W70852+
G89736
C21769 · C04347
W70940 · C04342Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Ilkeston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £9 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 31m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £9, while a train costs an average of £35.
Distance: 181 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£35 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest | £35 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 31m Average total duration Fastest 2h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 38m Average total duration 3h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Ilkeston:
A coach is £25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Ilkeston costing on average £35.
Other travel options to Ilkeston take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 8m.
You'll arrive about 54m sooner (2h 1m by train vs 2h 55m by car). Tickets start at around £35 compared to roughly £35 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for London to Ilkeston trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:35 London | 1h54 | 12:29 Ilkeston | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
W70940 · C04342 | 5:59 London St Pancras International (STP) | 2h18 | 8:17 Ilkeston station (ILN) | 1 change | |
W70852+ G89736 | 7:35 London St Pancras International (STP) | 1h54 | 9:29 Ilkeston station (ILN) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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 London to Ilkeston run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 but you can travel from only £9 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:27, the last at 23:35. The fastest train covers the 181 km distance in 1h 54m.
Distance 181 km |
Average train duration 2h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 1h 54m |
First train 5:27 |
Last train 23:35 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 49 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.
There are no direct trains from London to Ilkeston but frequent indirect connections. Schedules begin in early morning, with a Virgin trains East Coast service to Grantham, connecting with an East Midlands train to Nottingham and a Northern rail service to Ilkeston. Most journeys require just one change, with East Midland Trains services connecting with Northern rail trains at Nottingham. There are hourly connections throughout the day, until the final service in mid evening. Journey times are around two hours and 15 minutes. Most trains from London to Ilkeston depart from St. Pancras Station on the northern edge of central London, arriving at Ilkeston station, east of the town centre.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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 London to Ilkeston trains use the London St Pancras International to Ilkeston station pair. Use this guide to compare London and Ilkeston train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
London St Pancras International has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: The Betjeman Arms, AMT Coffee, The Booking Office, Carluccio’s, Chop’d, Greggs
Free, unlimited WiFi is available throughout the station. ATMs are located in the Circle area and inside the Arcade.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:45 - 22:00, Sat: 06:00 - 21:00, Sun: 08:00 - 22:15. Information desks are located on the lower level in the main hall.
Luggage storage is luggage lockers are located on the lower concourse close to the Eurostar line. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London St Pancras International: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at London St Pancras International: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London St Pancras International: Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators, complimentary assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other needs.
Nearby hotels include The Standard, Kimpton Fitzroy London, Alhambra Hotel.
London Waterloo is 1 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London Waterloo has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at London Waterloo.
Wi-Fi is available at London Waterloo. ATMs are available at London Waterloo.
Ticket office support is available at London Waterloo. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London Waterloo: Parking, WC.
Available at London Waterloo: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London Waterloo: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: There is step free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step free exits are exit 1 (Station approach), exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available from the taxi rank on Cab Road / Station Approach, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket machines are located at various locations on the main concourse and are accessible to wheelchair users, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
London Kings Cross has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Caffè Nero, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Upper Crust, Giraffe World Kitchen, Black Sheep Coffee, Hotel Chocolat, Leon, Pret a Manger, Wasabi, & more
Free, unlimited Wi-Fi in the station. . ATMs are located near Platforms 11 and 10, just past Caffé Nero.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:00 - 01:36, Sat: 05:00 - 00:36, Sun: 05:30 - 01:36. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Luggage storage is located by the entrance of Platform 9 provided by Excess Baggage Co, open daily from 08:00 until 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London Kings Cross: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at London Kings Cross: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London Kings Cross: There is step-free access in the whole station to all platforms. There are elevators between the concourse and Mezzanine and London Underground ticket hall.
Nearby hotels include Point A Hotel, London Kings Cross St Pancras, Premier Inn London Kings Cross Hotel, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London.
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.
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