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Taking the train from Poole to Retford in 6 hours 9 minutes
Thinking about taking the train from Poole to Retford? We've got you covered.
It usually takes around 7 hours 26 minutes to travel the 185 miles (297 km) from Poole to Retford by train, although you can get there in as little as 6 hours 9 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 1 train per day running on this route. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. During your journey, you'll either be travelling with South Western Railway or CrossCountry, as they are the main operators of services on this route.
Book train tickets from Poole 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.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Poole to Retford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Poole to Retford take?
The average journey time by train between Poole and Retford is 7 hours and 26 minutes, with around 1 train per day. 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 Poole and Retford by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Poole to Retford is 6 hours and 9 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Poole to Retford?
No, there are no direct train services from Poole to Retford. Travelling from Poole to Retford by train will require a minimum of 3 changes.
What time does the first train from Poole to Retford leave?
The first train from Poole to Retford leaves at 05:25. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Poole to Retford leave?
The last train from Poole to Retford leaves at 22:55. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Poole and Retford by train?
Trains travelling from Poole to Retford cover a distance of around 185 miles (297 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Retford to Poole.
Cheap train tickets from Poole 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 Poole 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.