- Must visit
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
Major film attraction at Warner Bros. Studios with sets, props, and behind-the-scenes exhibits from the Harry Potter films.
Cheapest price on Aug 29
$59
Average ticket price on Aug 29
$59
Fastest journey on Aug 29
2 h 43 m
Average journey duration on Aug 29
2 h 43 m
Trains on Aug 29
1
Distance
159 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Derby to Watford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Derby to Watford will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $59.
On Sat, Aug 29, we found 1 trains from Derby to Watford, including 1 direct services.
On Sat, Aug 29 the direct trains cover the 159 km distance in an average of 2 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 43 m .
On Sat, Aug 29 the slowest trains will take 2 h 43 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 Derby to Watford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $44 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 26m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $44, while a bus costs an average of $51.
Distance: 98 miles (159 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$44 Average price Cheapest | $51 Average price | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 26m Average total duration Fastest 1h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration 4h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Derby to Watford:
A train is $8 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Derby to Watford costing on average $51 (€41).
Other travel options to Watford take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 0m.
You'll arrive about 7m sooner (1h 56m by train vs 2h 3m by car). Tickets start at around $44 (€35) compared to roughly $42 (€34) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Derby to Watford trains for tomorrow, Saturday, August 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:47 AM Derby | 2h43 | 7:30 AM Watford | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Derby to Watford run on average 18 times per day, taking around 1h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $42 (€34) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:09, the last at 22:20. The fastest train covers the 98 miles (159 km) distance in 2h 10m.
Distance 98 miles (159 km) |
Average train duration 1h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 (€34) |
Trains per day 18 |
Fastest train 2h 10m |
First train 4:09 AM |
Last train 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Watford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Watford trip today.
Major film attraction at Warner Bros. Studios with sets, props, and behind-the-scenes exhibits from the Harry Potter films.
Compact local museum covering Watford's people, industry, art, and football heritage in a historic former brewery setting.
Elegant Jacobean house with period rooms, exhibitions, and gardens, offering a strong sense of Hertfordshire country-house history.
Watford's flagship park with broad lawns, woodland, canal-side walks, playgrounds, and sports facilities. A top everyday local favorite.
Pedestrianized retail heart of central Watford, useful for shopping, people-watching, and feeling the town's busy modern atmosphere.
Historic high street with independent shops, old buildings, pubs, and the parish church, preserving much of Watford's older character.
A hearty pub pie of beef and ale under pastry. Common in Hertfordshire pubs and a staple comfort dish locals still order regularly.
Sausages served with mashed potatoes and onion gravy. A classic everyday British pub meal widely eaten in Watford and across England.
Beer-battered fish with chips, usually cod or haddock. A long-standing British takeaway and pub favourite popular with Watford locals.
Well-regarded modern British pub and dining room in a historic setting, known for seasonal menus, Sunday roasts and a polished atmosphere.
Popular contemporary restaurant for steaks, grills and cocktails with stylish interiors and a strong reputation for polished service.
Reliable casual chain known for fresh pasta, pizza and Italian comfort food in a lively, family-friendly setting near the town centre.
Moderate for UK trips: hotels and rail can be pricey, but dining and local transit are usually cheaper than central London.
Restaurants often add 10-12.5% service; if not, round up or tip 10%. Taxis: round up. Cafes and pubs: tipping is optional, small change appreciated.
Official public transport app
Watford Junction -> Watford High Street, Watford
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Derby to Watford by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Watford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Derby to Watford trains use the Derby to Watford Junction station pair, with some services arriving at Watford High Street. Use this guide to compare Derby and Watford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Derby is 1 km from Derby city centre. Public transport options include:
Derby has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Derby.
ATMs are available at Derby.
Ticket office support is available at Derby.
Available at Derby: Parking, WC.
Available at Derby: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Derby: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A step free station. This station has step free access. There are lifts to all platforms. There is a subway to platforms 2,3,4 and 5. Platforms 6 and 7 are accessed by lift only. This station has tactile paving at the edges of all platforms and at the foot and top of stairwells, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Watford Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Watford Junction.
ATMs are available at Watford Junction.
Ticket office support is available at Watford Junction. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Watford Junction: Parking, WC.
Available at Watford Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Watford High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Watford High Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Watford High Street. ATMs are available at Watford High Street.
Ticket office support is available at Watford High Street.
Available at Watford High Street: Parking.
Available at Watford High Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford High Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only, Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bushey is 1 km from Watford city centre. Public transport options include:
Bushey has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bushey.
Wi-Fi is available at Bushey.
Ticket office support is available at Bushey. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bushey: Parking.
Available at Bushey: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bushey: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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