London St Pancras International to Bedford Trains From £5.80*

On average, it takes around one hour to get from London St Pancras International to Bedford with Thameslink or East Midlands Railway. You’ll head north on your journey, swapping busy central London for the suburbs of Greater London, before entering Bedfordshire.

Thameslink provides connections between London and the wider south-eastern England, linking destinations such as Brighton, Bedford, and Gatwick Airport to the British capital.

Departing from London St Pancras International

London St Pancras International is perhaps one of the best-connected train stations in the UK, making it incredibly easy to reach no matter where you’re coming from.

Located on Euston Road in Camden, North London, the station is half a mile away from London Euston and is only a two-minute walk from London Kings Cross. Kings Cross also features a London Underground station that serves the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines. Tons of buses and taxis can drop you off along Euston Road or at the station’s entrance, too.

Thameslink, Eurostar, East Midlands Railway, and Southeastern all run from London St Pancras International. Paris Gare Du Nord, Brussels, Amsterdam are some of the main Eurostar stations, meanwhile destinations like Brighton, Cambridge, Nottingham and Sheffield are some of the station’s main UK destinations.

Main stops

If you are travelling with East Midlands Railway from London St Pancras International to Bedford, then there are only two stations between your destination; these are at Luton Airport Parkway and Luton. If you are travelling with Thameslink, the route includes eight stops: West Hampstead Thameslink, St Albans City, Harpenden, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Leagrave, Harlington, and Flitwick.

Yet, these can change due to engineering works or scheduling alterations. It's advisable to check before you travel to avoid disappointment.

If you want to buy cheap train tickets, book in advance and use TrainPal to find the best fares. Additionally, consider adding a Railcard for an extra discount.

Arriving at Bedford

Bedford Railway Station is just west of the town centre and is around a ten-minute walk away. If that’s a little too far away after your journey from St Pancras, then you can either take a taxi or catch a bus from the station to Bedford Bus Station on Greyfriars Street.

Bedford is a great place to indulge in some shopping, there’s Harpur Centre, a Grade II listed building packed with independent stores and well-known brands. If you fancy seeing a show or a concert, check out what’s on at Bedford Corn Exchange. Or, if nature is more your thing, head to Priory Country Park, Bedford Park, or the Forest of Marston Vale to bask in the town’s fauna and flora.

London North Western, East Midlands Railway, and Thameslink are the three main operators that serve Bedford. London St Pancras, Brighton, and Gatwick Airport are some of the main destinations from this station.

Thameslink train classes

• Standard Class: Providing comfortable seating, designated luggage areas, real-time train information on screens, and complimentary Wi-Fi on certain trains.
• First Class: Offering enhanced comfort with more spacious seating, quieter carriages, power outlets, complimentary Wi-Fi on select trains, and an overall improved travel experience.

Thameslink train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag. Two larger bags not exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 centimetres and an item of hand luggage are permitted on board.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small pets can accompany passengers for free. Dogs must be kept on a lead, and other animals must be in carriers. Any additional pets will cost half the adult fare, with a maximum of two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. There is no need to pre-book. Folding e-bike and manual scooter allowed, e-scooter, e-unicycle, e-skateboard, and hoverboard banned.
• Children: Children under the age of 5 can travel without charge, while those between 5 and 15 years old get a 50% discount on their tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard provides up to a one-third reduction on family ticket prices. Booking ahead with TrainPal helps families secure seats together.
• Passenger Assist: Help with carrying luggage and accessing the platform, offer ramps and transportation, and give help and guidance on tickets.

East Midlands Railway: London St Pancras International to Bedford trains

The journey from London St Pancras International to Bedford with East Midlands Railway takes, on average, one hour. Along the way, passengers can enjoy picturesque views of the English countryside, including rolling hills, charming villages, and lush green fields.

East Midlands Railway helps keep the Midlands connected to the rest of the country, linking towns and cities in the Midlands to major destinations like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Norwich.

East Midlands Railway train classes

• Standard Class: Standard Class is the most popular and budget-friendly choice, and it offers comfortable seating. Passengers also benefit from complimentary Wi-Fi and convenient plug sockets for all devices.
• First Class: East Midlands Railway does offer a London St Pancras International to Bedford First-Class ticket, which includes more spacious seating, quieter train carriages, and complimentary refreshments.

East Midlands Railway travel advice

• Luggage: Each individual is allowed to bring two items: one large luggage piece (up to 90x70x30cm in size) and one smaller bag or suitcase.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel at no cost. Dogs are required to be on a lead, while other animals must be transported in carriers. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of two pets.
• Bicycles: Reservations are highly recommended, as each train has only two cycle spaces. To avoid disappointment, it’s best to book early.
• Children: For children under 5, travel is free, and those between 5 and 15 receive a 50% fare reduction. The Family & Friends Railcard can reduce family ticket costs by up to one-third. Using TrainPal to book in advance guarantees family seating.
• 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.