- Must visit
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby’s leading museum with art, archaeology, and natural history, best known for its important Joseph Wright collection.
Cheapest price
$17
Average price
$18
Fastest journey
2 h 15 m
Average duration
2 h 51 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
22 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Nottingham to Derby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nottingham to Derby will cost around $18 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $17.
Of the 5 buses that leave Nottingham for Derby on Fri, Jul 31, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 22 km distance in an average of 2 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 15 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 3 h 40 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 Nottingham to Derby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $3. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $3, and a bus costs an average of $5.
Distance: 13 miles (22 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$17 Average price | $9 Average price Cheapest | $6 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 41m Average total duration 1h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 57m Average total duration Fastest 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 34m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Nottingham to Derby:
A train is $8 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Nottingham to Derby costing on average $17 (€14).
Other travel options to Derby take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 11m.
You'll arrive about -1h -37m sooner (1h 11m by bus vs 34m by car) and save roughly $-11.30 (€-9.27) compared to fuel and tolls ($17 (€14) vs $6 (€5)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus, Trent Barton.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator East Midlands Railway | Departure Time 08:17AM | Arrival Time 08:47AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator East Midlands Railway | Departure Time 08:44AM | Arrival Time 09:44AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator CrossCountry | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:35PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $16 |
The table below shows live departures for Nottingham to Derby buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:35 PM Nottingham | 3h15 | 6:50 PM Derby | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:35 PM Nottingham | 2h15 | 9:50 PM Derby | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:35 PM Nottingham | 2h15 | 10:50 PM Derby | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:35 PM Nottingham | 2h50 | 12:25 AM Derby | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Buses from Nottingham to Derby run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 11m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) but you can travel from only $3 (€2) by train.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest bus covers the 13 miles (22 km) distance in 30m.
Distance 13 miles (22 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 30m |
First bus 12:01 AM |
Last bus 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Derby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Derby trip today.
Derby’s leading museum with art, archaeology, and natural history, best known for its important Joseph Wright collection.
Excellent museum of making in a restored silk mill, exploring Derby’s industrial innovation with interactive displays and river views.
Historic Georgian house with period rooms and changing displays, offering an intimate look at local life and Derby’s past residents.
Riverside public park with mature trees, gardens, and monuments, ideal for a gentle walk close to Derby’s museums and cathedral.
Compact historic quarter around the cathedral with cobbled lanes, galleries, and heritage buildings, full of local character.
Main city-centre square framed by historic buildings, markets, and events; a practical starting point for exploring central Derby.
A classic Derbyshire pudding of stewed apples topped with a pastry crust. It is a long-standing regional dessert found in local homes and pubs.
Bread or rolls filled with melted Derby Sage cheese and onion. This simple local snack highlights the county's famous herb-flavoured cheese.
A crumbly blue-veined cheese made in Derbyshire. It is one of England's best-known regional cheeses and a staple on local cheeseboards.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting. One of Derby's best-known fine dining destinations.
Stylish restaurant and wine bar serving British and European dishes. Popular for polished cooking and a smart but relaxed atmosphere.
Historic pub in a former railway building, known for cask ales and classic pub meals. A strong choice for Derby beer culture.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not require tips, but spare change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Derby Bus Station -> Derby Railway Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Nottingham to Derby by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Derby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Nottingham to Derby buses use the Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station to Derby, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Nottingham and Derby bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Broadmarsh (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station), Coffee Corner (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station.
Available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nottingham, University of Nottingham has practical services for this route, including Parking, ATM, WC, and Bike Parking.
ATMs are available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham.
Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Parking, WC.
Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Bike Parking.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need