- Must visit
The Higgins Bedford
Bedford’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and the Panacea story, making it the essential first stop for understanding the town.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€23
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€27
Fastest journey on Sep 20
1 h 15 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
1 h 37 m
Trains on Sep 20
2
Distance
102 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Nottingham to Bedford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nottingham to Bedford will cost around €27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €23.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 2 trains from Nottingham to Bedford, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 102 km distance in an average of 1 h 37 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 1 h 59 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 Bedford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €35 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €35, while a train costs an average of €44.
Distance: 63 miles (102 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€44 Average price | €35 Average price Cheapest | €24 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 47m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Nottingham to Bedford:
A bus is €9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Nottingham to Bedford costing on average €44.
Other travel options to Bedford take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 48m.
You'll arrive about 34m sooner (1h 13m by train vs 1h 47m by car). Tickets start at around €44 compared to roughly €24 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.
Direct services run with east_midlands_trains.
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 Nottingham to Bedford trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:50 AM Nottingham | 1h20 | 12:10 PM Bedford | 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 Nottingham to Bedford run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €18 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 63 miles (102 km) distance in 1h 6m.
Distance 63 miles (102 km) |
Average train duration 1h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price €18 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 1h 6m |
First train 4:48 AM |
Last train 11:49 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Bedford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bedford trip today.
Bedford’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and the Panacea story, making it the essential first stop for understanding the town.
Museum inside John Bunyan’s former church site, focused on The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan’s life, and Bedford’s nonconformist heritage.
Small museum telling the story of the Panacea Society, a unique Bedford religious community, through preserved rooms and archives.
Bedford’s signature riverside promenade, ideal for walking, boating views, and seeing why the town is closely tied to the Great Ouse.
Historic central street lined with shops and civic landmarks, useful for exploring Bedford’s commercial heart on foot.
Characterful historic quarter with independent businesses, old buildings, and easy access to museums, churches, and the river.
A Bedfordshire classic with suet pastry and layers of bacon, onion, and potato. It is a long-standing county comfort food still linked to local home cooking.
A local suet pastry pudding filled with chopped apples, sugar, and spice. It is a traditional Bedfordshire dessert once made to use orchard fruit.
A rich yeasted fruit loaf with dried fruit and spice, associated with Bedfordshire baking traditions. Often served sliced with butter at tea time.
Popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with generous grilled dishes, meze, and a smart casual atmosphere.
Well-regarded independent restaurant serving modern British and European dishes in a polished but relaxed town-centre setting.
Established riverside venue known for grilled meats, classic British dishes, and a lively pub atmosphere with broad appeal.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; otherwise 10% is common. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafes usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Bedford Railway Station -> Bedford Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Nottingham to Bedford 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 Bedford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Nottingham to Bedford trains use the Nottingham to Bedford station pair. Use this guide to compare Nottingham and Bedford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Nottingham has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Nottingham.
ATMs are available at Nottingham.
Ticket office support is available at Nottingham. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Nottingham: Parking, WC.
Available at Nottingham: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a category A access station. There are lifts available to all platforms and there is level and ramp access to the concourse and ticket office/machines. This station has tactile paving at the edge of each platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: none, Accessible taxis: Taxi number displayed on useful information poster at 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.
Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford.
Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.
Ticket office support is available at Bedford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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