- 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 25 Sept
£32
Average ticket price on 25 Sept
£75
Fastest journey on 25 Sept
3 h 44 m
Average journey duration on 25 Sept
4 h 23 m
Trains on 25 Sept
3
Distance
225 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Southampton to Derby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Southampton to Derby will cost around £75 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.
On Fri 25 Sept, we found 3 trains from Southampton to Derby, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 225 km distance in an average of 4 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 44 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 31 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.






The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Derby trains for today, Thursday 24 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:55 Southampton | 3h02 | 9:57 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:15 Southampton | 3h53 | 13:08 Derby | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Southampton to Derby run on average 12 times per day, taking around 3h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £42 but you can travel from only £17 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:41, the last at 22:20. The fastest train covers the 225 km distance in 2h 55m.
Distance 225 km |
Average train duration 3h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £42 |
Trains per day 12 |
Fastest train 2h 55m |
First train 3:41 |
Last train 22:20 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
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 Railway Station -> Derby Bus Station, Derby
Trains from Southampton to Derby run regularly with up to 48 departures per day. Fairly few trains serve a direct route. Thankfully, transfers tend not to extend the journey by too long.
There are two and three direct trains from Southampton to Derby from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday there is no direct service, but connections with transfers are available.
On average, the train from Southampton to Derby takes around 3 hours and 26 minutes. Most journeys require at least one transfer, calling at Birmingham New Street, Woking, Clapham Junction, London Victoria and London St Pancras.
From Monday to Friday, services commence as early as 5:15 a.m with Cross Country. From 7:15 a.m. services roughly run twice an hour until 8:39 p.m. The final Southampton-Derby train is at 11:00 p.m.
Get the best value for money by booking your train ticket from Southampton to Derby at least one month before departure.
Trains from Southampton to Derby depart from Southampton Central Station, located west of the city centre. Although it may not be in desirable walking distance from the city centre and port, the station is well connected by public transport.
All trains from Southampton to Derby arrive at Derby Railway Station, situated south of the town centre. For those wishing to get to the city centre, there are local buses which stop outside the station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton to Derby 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 Derby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Southampton to Derby trains use the Southampton Central to Derby station pair. Use this guide to compare Southampton and Derby train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Southampton Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Southampton Central.
Wi-Fi is available at Southampton Central. ATMs are available at Southampton Central.
Ticket office support is available at Southampton Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Southampton Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Southampton Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Derby is 1 km from Derby city centre. Public transport options include:
Derby has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Derby.
ATMs are available at Derby.
Ticket office support is available at Derby.
Available at Derby: Parking, WC.
Available at Derby: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Derby: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A step free station. This station has step free access. There are lifts to all platforms. There is a subway to platforms 2,3,4 and 5. Platforms 6 and 7 are accessed by lift only. This station has tactile paving at the edges of all platforms and at the foot and top of stairwells, 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 toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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