Getting a direct train from Nottingham to London St Pancras International is possible on some routes with East Midlands Railway. Travelling from Nottingham to London on EMR takes between 1 hour 39 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on the exact route chosen.
The journey from Nottingham to London includes passing through various Midlands counties, taking in miles of English countryside. East Midlands Railway operates frequent services throughout the Midlands, connecting Nottingham with Peterborough, as well as running trains to places like Lincoln, Leicester, Derby and Sheffield.
Departing from Nottingham
Your journey will start at Nottingham Station, conveniently located in the Midlands city of Nottingham.
It is a busy station, served by East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry and Northern, serving as a hub in the UK train network. Services departing from Nottingham include trains to London St Pancras, Norwich, Worksop, Leeds, Crewe and Skegness.
Amenities and shops are available for passengers departing from Nottingham, with an Assisted Travel Lounge at the front of the train station, a 24-hour cycle hub and excellent transport links by bus, tram, taxi or car rental services.
Main stops
Travelling from Nottingham to London can be direct on some EMR services, with stops at Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough and London St Pancras International.
Other routes involve at least one change, usually in Peterborough. On the EMR service for the first leg of the journey, the train will typically stop just once in Grantham. The stops on the second part of the journey will vary depending on the service. These will commonly be Huntingdon, St Neots, Sandy, Biggleswade, Arlesey, Hitchin, Stevenage and Finsbury Park for Thameslink trains. On the other hand, LNER trains from Peterborough to London will usually be direct.
Arriving at London St Pancras International
From Nottingham to London, passengers will arrive at London St Pancras, one of the UK’s major international transport hubs. Adjoining Kings Cross, St Pancras offers excellent onward travel options around London and beyond, with comprehensive train, underground, and bus links.
Known as the home of the Eurostar, London St Pancras provides train services into Europe, as well as connections to destinations in Kent, East Sussex, and the Midlands.
Surrounding London St Pancras are several notable landmarks and attractions. The British Library, with its vast collection of books, is just a short walk away. Nearby, Regent's Canal offers scenic walks leading to Granary Square, known for its fountains and events. The station itself is an architectural marvel, featuring the iconic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. These attractions make the area around St Pancras vibrant and interesting to explore.
East Midlands Railway train classes
- Standard Class: All the services you need for a comfortable journey, including plug sockets for laptops and mobiles, seat reservations on services to and from London, free WiFi (on all intercity services to and from London St Pancras), luggage space for luggage and bike spaces.
- First Class: For a more relaxed environment and more space, EMR passengers can upgrade to a Nottingham to London St Pancras First Class ticket, which entitles you to spacious seats, with a guaranteed table, quieter carriages and light food and refreshments served at your table.
East Midlands Railway train travel advice
- Bicycles: You can bring a bike onto an EMR train, though restrictions apply and you will need to reserve a spot before you travel.
- Children: Kids travel for less with EMR: those under 5 go free, while children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets with East Midlands Railway.
- Luggage: EMR passengers must not bring more than two items of luggage onboard EMR trains. The operator also specifies that one item can measure up to 90x70x30cm and the other should be a “small bag or cabin-sized case”.
- Pets: You can bring up to two dogs on EMR trains for free and if you would like to bring more, you may have to pay an additional fee of 50% of a full adult fare, up to £5 for a single journey or £10 for a return journey.
- Passenger Assist: Passengers who require special assistance can arrange this with EMR before travelling, including help boarding, reserving wheelchair spaces and detailed rail info.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.