Travel beyond the railway
At East Midlands Railway, we know that your journey doesn't begin or end at the station. Whether you're walking to the platform, cycling to work, catching a bus into town or travelling onwards to the airport, we're here to help make every part of your journey easier.
Integrated travel connects rail with other forms of transport, making it simpler to plan seamless journeys while reducing congestion and supporting more sustainable travel choices.
Discover the different ways you can connect with the EMR network.
On this page:
Car-free travel
Car-free travel across the east midlands has never been easier. With excellent rail connections, local bus services, and plenty of walkable destinations, you can discover vibrant cities, historic towns, stunning countryside, and popular attractions while travelling sustainably.
Whether you're planning a day trip or a longer adventure, public transport makes it simple to get around and enjoy everything the region has to offer.
Download our car-free days out map
Explore the East Midlands on foot
Many of our stations provide the perfect starting point for exploring the countryside, historic towns and vibrant cities across the East Midlands.
From scenic Peak District trails to canal-side strolls and city heritage walks, travelling by train lets you leave the car behind and discover new places at your own pace.
Discover:
- Scenic countryside walks
- Circular routes from EMR stations
- Family-friendly adventures
- Walking inspiration across our network
Explore our Walking Blog and discover scenic walks across the East Midlands
Combine rail and cycling
Cycling is a great way to complete your journey. Many EMR stations offer cycle parking, making it easy to ride to the station or continue your journey by bike.
You can also bring your bike on many EMR services, helping you explore more of the region.
Bikes on trains
We welcome bicycles on many of our services, although restrictions may apply during busy periods and on certain routes.
Find out:
- Bringing your bike on board
- Reserving cycle spaces where required
- Cycle parking at stations
- Planning your rail and bike journey
Learn more about travelling with your bike
E-bike / E-scooter hire
Traveling around cities has never been easier with e-bikes and e-scooters available and multiple locations.
Useful links:
Nottingham
Manchester
Northamptonshire
(Covering Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough)
There are restrictions on bringing e-bikes and e-scooters onto our trains so check our guide before planning your trip.
Bus Connections
Continue your journey by bus
Many EMR stations have local bus services nearby, helping you reach your final destination with ease.
Whether you're commuting, visiting attractions or exploring the countryside, local bus connections can make onward travel simple and convenient.
Useful links:
Chesterfield - Gateway to the Peak District
Chesterfield station provides excellent connections to the Peak District National Park, with regular bus services linking visitors to popular walking routes, villages and attractions.
Perfect for:
- Outdoor adventures
- Family days out
- Sustainable tourism
Free City Centre buses
Free buses are available from certain stations that we serve, connecting you around city centres:
Sheffield
Sheffield Connect > Travel South Yorkshire
Leicester
Leicester Hop! > Leicester Buses
Manchester
Train travel to airports
Rail and air made easy
EMR connects customers with major airports across the region and beyond, making travelling for business or leisure straightforward.
East Midlands Airport
Travel by rail and bus with integrated ticketing options available for journeys to East Midlands Airport, helping you complete your journey with a single booking.
EMR also offers convenient rail connections for onward travel to other UK airports through the national rail network.
London Luton Airport
Travel from London St Pancras International to London Luton Airport by train in as little as 32 minutes, every 30 minutes…
If life’s best journeys start at the airport, our simplest ones start on the Luton Airport Express . Connected by our Connect service, the Luton Airport Express whisks you direct to Luton Airport Parkway station for the four-minute hop to the airport on the new Luton DART.
Tram travel
Easy city connections
Several EMR stations offer easy interchange with tram networks, providing fast and convenient travel across city centres and local communities.
Sheffield Supertram
Sheffield station offers direct access to the Supertram network , connecting key destinations including the city centre, Meadowhall and surrounding suburbs.
Nottingham NET
Nottingham station is connected to the NET tram network, making it easy to reach destinations across the city, including business districts, shopping areas and attractions.
Manchester Metrolink
The Metrolink can be accessed from Manchester Piccadilly Station giving you connections across the Greater Manchester area.
Travel from the East Midlands to Europe
Travelling to Europe by rail has never been easier.
EMR provides connections to London St Pancras, where you can continue your journey on Eurostar services to destinations including Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Choosing rail for international travel offers a comfortable and lower-carbon alternative to flying.
Credit: Transport for Nottingham
Plan your whole journey - Ride App
The Ride app helps you plan and complete your journey by combining rail travel with local transport options.
Whether you need a bus, tram, bike or walking route for the last part of your trip, Ride can help you find the best connection.
Using journey planning tools alongside your EMR train ticket can make travelling across the region easier and more convenient.