- Recommended
Bassetlaw Museum
A local museum in the town hall covering Retford’s history, civic life and nearby Pilgrim Fathers story through compact displays.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£7
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£7
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
49 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
49 m
Trains on 18 Sept
1
Distance
35 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Sheffield to Retford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sheffield to Retford will cost around £7 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £7.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 trains from Sheffield to Retford, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 35 km distance in an average of 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 49 m .
The slowest trains will take 49 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 Sheffield to Retford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £6 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 11m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £6, while a train costs an average of £6.
Distance: 35 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£6 Average Price Cheapest | £7 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 11m Average total duration Fastest 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The journey is about 4m faster (41m by train vs 45m by car) and roughly £2 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£6 vs £7). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Northern Trains Limited.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Sheffield to Retford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 17:37 Sheffield | 0h39 | 18:16 Retford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 21:39 Sheffield | 0h49 | 22:28 Retford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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 Sheffield to Retford run on average 8 times per day, taking around 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £3 if you book in advance.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:45, the last at 23:24. The fastest train covers the 35 km distance in 41m.
Distance 35 km |
Average train duration 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 41m |
First train 5:45 |
Last train 23:24 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Retford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Retford trip today.
A local museum in the town hall covering Retford’s history, civic life and nearby Pilgrim Fathers story through compact displays.
A nearby aviation heritage museum with aircraft and military displays, worth the short trip for visitors interested in regional transport history.
Volunteer-run heritage centre beside the canal with exhibits on waterway history, boats and the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.
Retford’s principal green space with formal gardens, riverside walks, play areas and open lawns close to the town centre.
A pleasant waterside route for walking and cycling, with locks, wildlife and broad views that show Retford’s canal heritage.
A compact central area around the square and church, good for strolling between heritage buildings, shops and public spaces.
Traditional Nottinghamshire pork pie with hot-water crust pastry and seasoned pork filling, long associated with local markets and county baking traditions.
A firm local cheese from Nottinghamshire with a mild, milky flavour. It reflects the county’s dairy heritage and is commonly eaten with bread or pickles.
Classic British blue cheese made in the wider Nottinghamshire area. Rich and crumbly, it is a staple on local cheeseboards and in pub lunches.
Smart, modern restaurant in the town centre serving British and European dishes in a relaxed but polished setting.
Well-known local Indian restaurant with a long-standing reputation for curries, tandoori dishes and attentive service.
Canalside pub and restaurant offering British favourites, grills and drinks in a relaxed waterside setting.
Retford is moderate for the UK, with fairly priced pubs, cafés and local transport, while accommodation is usually cheaper than in larger tourist cities.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis. In cafés, tipping is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sheffield to Retford 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 Retford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Sheffield to Retford trains use the Sheffield to Retford station pair. Use this guide to compare Sheffield and Retford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Sheffield has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Sheffield.
ATMs are available at Sheffield.
Ticket office support is available at Sheffield. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Sheffield: Parking, WC.
Available at Sheffield: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sheffield: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the concourse and ticket hall. There are lifts available to all platforms. This station has tactile paving at the edge of each platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Meadowhall is 5 km from Sheffield city centre. Public transport options include:
Meadowhall has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Ticket office support is available at Meadowhall.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Meadowhall: Parking, WC.
Available at Meadowhall: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Meadowhall: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Step-free access to all platforms via fairly steep ramps (up to 50m long). Please allow sufficient time for your connecting service if you are changing trains at this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Retford has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Retford.
Ticket office support is available at Retford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Retford: Parking, WC.
Available at Retford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Retford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Advance booking is advisable, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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