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East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast

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Bedford to Retford by train

First train

06:05

Last train

23:59

Departure station

Bedford

Arrival station

Retford

Journey time

From 2h 47m

Distance

84 miles (135 km)

Frequency

12 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

East Midlands Railway

Taking the train from Bedford to Retford in 2 hours 47 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Bedford to Retford? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 4 hours 28 minutes to travel the 84 miles (135 km) from Bedford to Retford by train, although you can get there in as little as 2 hours 47 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 12 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. As the main train operator on this route, you'll probably be travelling with East Midlands Railway for all or at least part of your journey to Retford.

Book train tickets from Bedford to Retford in advance instead of buying them on the day and you'll snap up the cheapest fares. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Retford by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

FAQs about the train journey from Bedford to Retford

Want to know more about your journey from Bedford to Retford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Bedford to Retford?

You can get from Bedford to Retford by train in 4 hours and 28 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 2 hours and 47 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Bedford to Retford take?

The average journey time by train between Bedford and Retford is 4 hours and 28 minutes, with around 12 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Bedford and Retford by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Bedford to Retford is 2 hours and 47 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Bedford to Retford?

No, there are no direct train services from Bedford to Retford. Travelling from Bedford to Retford by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

Cheap train tickets from Bedford to Retford

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Bedford to Retford is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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