With a convenient location at the center of England's rail network, Derby is easily accessible by train, and getting there from major cities like Birmingham, Manchester, or London will only take a couple of hours at most. Add in quick journeys from the station to the center of town and it's a great destination to reach via rail transport.
All rail services to Derby will stop at the same place. Derby Midland Station is an important railway interchange, linking together north-south and east-west routes across England. It's also near the center of the city itself. The station is around half a mile southeast of the city center and visitors can walk there in 15 minutes.
East Midlands Trains is the major operator of trains into Derby Midland Station. The company runs services from London Euston, allowing visitors from America to connect with transatlantic flights to Gatwick or Heathrow. Trains also run from East Midlands Parkway and Luton Airport, so connections with regional flights are also a possibility.
Trains are the ideal way to visit Derby, especially for those coming from North America. The reason is simple. Travelers can easily take express trains from London airports to rail termini, then catch fast trains to Derby. No changes are needed, and trains take one hour 20 minutes in many cases. That's much faster than taking coaches. Additionally, travelers can catch trains from smaller airports if they are arriving via Paris or Amsterdam. On a more practical level, trains simply offer more leg room and comfort than buses, which are the major alternative.
When getting around Derby, a PlusBus card can be a big help. It provides unlimited bus travel for periods of one day or one week, with concessions for younger visitors. It's an excellent way to witness the Georgian splendor of Pickford House, tour the industrial exhibits at the Derby Museum, or stroll through the city's popular arboretum. But feel free to venture out of town too. Derbyshire has some fantastic things to see and do, from watching racing at Donington Circuit to the beautifully preserved Crich Tramway Village. The Peak District is a bus ride away too, offering some gorgeous hiking trails.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need