It takes approximately one and a half hours to travel from Derby to London St Pancras International. On your way from Derby to London you’ll dart across the Midlands before arriving slap bang in the centre of London.
East Midlands Railway connects the Midlands and beyond, serving cities such as Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Leicester, and major UK cities like London. It also provides international rail services, a rarity in the UK, with its connecting route at London St Pancras International. Linking the Midlands with France, The Netherlands, and the rest of Europe by rail.
Departing from Derby
Derby station sits just outside the city centre on Railway Terrace, which runs onto Midland Road. It’s suitably connected to buses and taxis right outside the main entrance to the station.
East Midlands Railway operates a twice-hourly service from Derby to London St Pancras International. However, CrossCountry and Northern operate from this station, too.
Main stops
There is only one station between Derby and London — this is Leicester.
Yet, it’s worth considering that this may change due to scheduling changes or unforeseen circumstances like bad weather or faults. It’s best to check before you travel.
Booking early can also land you a cheaper fare in the UK. If you want to buy cheap train tickets, then booking in advance on sites like TrainPal can help. Adding a Railcard can get you an even heftier discount.
London St Pancras International can be found in the Borough of Camden on Euston Road. It’s one of the prettiest and most well-renowned stations in the whole of the UK, taking the place of King’s Cross station in the Harry Potter films.
St Pancras is the main terminus for the UK’s only international rail link via Eurostar, which provides railway services to the European continent.
The station is also incredibly well connected by public transport, taxis, and the London Underground. London Kings Cross is only a two-minute walk away.
Three train operators serve London St Pancras International: East Midlands Railway, Southeastern Highspeed, and Thameslink.
East Midlands Railway train classes
- Standard Class: Passengers benefit from complimentary Wi-Fi and convenient plug sockets for all devices.
- First Class: A Derby to London St Pancras International First Class ticket entitles passengers to enjoy more spacious and comfortable seating and complimentary food and drinks served at their seat on weekdays.
Travelling First Class is a great way to make a special journey a little more special. To upgrade, it’s best to buy cheap train tickets in advance using sites like TrainPal.
East Midlands Railway train travel advice
- Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Reservations are essential. There are only two cycle spaces on each train, so they recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
- Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Assist with journey planning, ticket selection, fare reductions, and train seat bookings. We provide help with boarding, alighting, luggage handling, and transferring between trains.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.