Trains from Bedford to London St Pancras International from £3.45

Heading to a work meeting in the capital? Or want to soak up some culture and history on a day trip with the family? From Bedford to London, you can travel the 45 miles between a tranquil market town and the bustling capital in just 40 minutes by train. Arrive at one of London’s premier transport hubs in style on fast, comfortable services operated by Thameslink.

Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, choosing the most eco-friendly and low-stress travel option is always a good choice for a convenient day out by train. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the onboard train experience from Bedford to London St Pancras, as well as journey details and information on how to book cheap train tickets to London.

Starting at Bedford Station

At Bedford Station, you’ll have excellent amenities to start your journey comfortably. Toilets and baby changing, including accessible options, are available at the station, as well as refreshment counters, shops, ATMs, and heated waiting areas for chilly winter morning waits. Accessibility comes as standard at Bedford Station, as all platforms have step-free access, plus induction loops, tactile paving, and accessible ticket machines.

Located in the town centre, the station is easy to reach on foot or on local bus routes, which drop passengers off right outside the train station. Benefitting from great connections on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to the East Midlands, travellers from Bedford can get to places like Brighton, Bletchley, and Corby on direct routes.

Journey from Bedford to London St Pancras International

With Thameslink, you can travel from Bedford to London in under one hour on rapid direct routes that run until late. Trains typically call at stations like Leagrave, Luton, Harpenden, and St Albans City before arriving at St Pancras.

Taking the train to London doesn’t have to cost the Earth either: fares from Bedford to London St Pancras start at approximately £3.45, though this can vary widely depending on ticket type, travel time and date, and when you book.

When travelling from Bedford to London, you can be assured of a comfortable travel experience. On Thameslink trains, spacious seating comes as standard with a mix of 3-by-3 seats facing each other with no table, and standard two-person seats.

If you’re planning a weekend getaway in the capital, you won’t need to skimp on the packing: with generous luggage allowances of up to two larger items (ideally no bigger than 30 x 70 x 90 cm), plus one item of hand luggage per traveller, you’ll have all the bags you need. Thameslink encourages passengers to store large items in the luggage racks and overhead storage spaces at the end of each carriage.

Finally, for pet companions, the good news is that your pooch doesn’t have to miss out on the trip. Thameslink allows each passenger to travel with up to two domestic pets (dogs, cats and other small animals) on its services, so long as they are kept on a short lead or within an enclosed pet carrying basket.

Arriving at London St Pancras International Station

An architectural gem in the heart of the capital, London St Pancras International is one of the most impressive of London’s many stations.

When you arrive at St Pancras, you’ll find all the functional facilities you would expect at a major London station, from food and shopping outlets to ATMs and free public WiFi. The station is also known for its pianos, where adept travellers can stop to play a few notes, creating a soothing atmosphere amidst the busy hustle and bustle.

St Pancras has all the accessibility features needed to make sure every passenger has a comfortable experience, with step-free access, accessible toilets, induction loops, ramps for train boarding, and marked help points throughout the station.

What to do near London St Pancras?

Once you are ready to venture out of the station, you’ll discover that London St Pancras International is the ideal arrival point. Whether you’re hurrying off to work meetings or are ready to stroll around London’s top attractions, you can walk, cycle, hail a taxi, or hop on a London bus to get to where you need to be.

Close to St Pancras, you can explore attractions like the British Library and Granary Square, a vibrant public space. To go further, walk a few minutes to Kings Cross Underground station, which gives access to the Victoria, Northern, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, and Circle lines.

London is filled with so much history and culture, whether you’re soaking up the atmosphere in Camden Market, relaxing in Regent’s Park, or taking a tour around Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. For help choosing your London itinerary, see our full London guide here.