London to Ipswich by train

London to Ipswich is a direct Greater Anglia journey of about 1 hour 10 minutes, and the fastest trains take about 1 hour. Trains leave London Liverpool Street and arrive at Ipswich station in Suffolk. Greater Anglia is the only company running them, with up to three trains an hour on weekdays. An Interrail or Eurail Global Pass covers the trip.

Trains leave from London Liverpool Street

Head for Liverpool Street, the City of London terminal at Bishopsgate. It is not Liverpool Lime Street, which is in a different city, and it is not King's Cross or St Pancras, which serve the north and Europe. The station has an Elizabeth line concourse and Underground connections to the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, so it is easy to reach from most of central London.

Your platform appears on the departure boards shortly before the train leaves, so wait beneath the boards. The station has lifts and step-free access to all platforms, a taxi rank, shops and cafés, and luggage storage if you have time to spare before your train.

The journey is direct and takes about 70 minutes

Every train is direct, with no change. The fastest take about 1 hour and a typical journey is about 1 hour 10 minutes. Stopping trains take longer, so read the arrival time as well as the departure time when you choose.

On weekdays you can expect up to three trains an hour. Weekend timetables differ, so check your date before you plan a connection. Wi-Fi is available on all Greater Anglia trains.

Advance is cheapest but tied to one train

British fares come in three main kinds. Advance tickets are the cheapest, sold in limited numbers and valid only on the specific train printed on them. Off-Peak tickets cost more, and you can use them on any train outside the busiest times. Anytime tickets are the most expensive, and you can use them on any train at any time.

Prices vary by day and time, so there is no single fare. Booking early for a train you are sure to catch is the best way to pay less. Greater Anglia trains have no seat reservations, so with any ticket you sit in any free seat. Booking directly with Greater Anglia carries no booking fee. If you hold a Railcard that is valid in Britain, it gives a percentage off many fares.

You can buy from the ticket machines or the ticket office at Liverpool Street, or on the Greater Anglia website and app. Check your date and time before you buy, because Advance fares change.

Rail passes cover Greater Anglia

Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on the National Rail network in Great Britain, and Greater Anglia is part of it. On a pass travel day you do not need a separate ticket for this trip. Greater Anglia needs no seat reservation, so a pass holder can board without one. Interrail Global Passes are for people who live in Europe, and Eurail Global Passes are for people who live outside Europe. If you live in the UK, a Global Pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey in your own country, so you cannot use it for an ordinary trip inside Britain.

Arriving at Ipswich

Ipswich station is on Burrell Road, about a 15-minute walk from the waterfront, and buses run from the station forecourt to the town centre. It has a ticket office, step-free access to all platforms, shops and refreshments, and bus and taxi connections outside. Bike storage and hire are available. Taxis and buses are the easiest option if you have luggage.