London to Norwich by train

London to Norwich is a direct train of about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours, and the fastest trains take 1 hour 39 minutes. Greater Anglia runs them from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, with up to two trains an hour on weekdays. You do not change, and there is only one train company to think about. Book an Advance ticket for a named train if your plans are fixed, and it is usually the cheapest way to go.

Trains leave from Liverpool Street, in the City of London

Every direct train to Norwich starts at London Liverpool Street, on the eastern side of the City. Do not go to King's Cross, St Pancras or Euston. The station has step-free access to all platforms, a ticket office, shops and cafés, and it links to the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Underground lines, the Elizabeth line, buses and taxis.

Trains are Greater Anglia intercity services on the Great Eastern Main Line. Look at the arrival time when you choose a train, because the stopping pattern changes the journey time.

Direct trains take about two hours, the fastest 1 hour 39

The usual journey is about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours. The fastest train takes 1 hour 39 minutes. On weekdays there are up to two trains an hour. Check your date before you plan around a particular train.

Advance tickets are the cheap ones, and they fix your train

British tickets come in three main kinds. Advance tickets are for one named train and are the cheapest, but they are not valid on any other. Off-Peak tickets let you travel outside the busiest commuter times on any train they cover. Anytime tickets are the most flexible and the most expensive, and they work on any train on the day. Off-Peak and Anytime tickets do not come with a reserved seat, so you sit in any free seat.

Fares rise as the date gets closer and as the cheapest seats sell out, so book early for weekends and holidays. Because Greater Anglia is the only company running direct trains to Norwich, there is no second company whose tickets will not work, which keeps it simple. Buying direct from Greater Anglia adds no booking fee. If you hold a Railcard, Greater Anglia sells tickets with Railcard discounts, so have it with you.

Interrail and Eurail Global Passes work on Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia is covered by Interrail and Eurail Global Passes, so a pass holder can take this train without buying a separate ticket. The pass counts as a travel day, so use one of your flexible days or a day of continuous travel. A pass holder can board Greater Anglia without a seat reservation.

If you live in the UK, a Global Pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey in the UK, so it is not a pass for an ordinary trip inside Britain. The Interrail Great Britain Pass is sold to residents of other European countries, not to UK residents.

What to expect when you arrive in Norwich

Norwich station is the only main station in the city, and it has step-free access to every platform, shops and refreshments. Buses and taxis leave from the station, and there is a ticket office with opening hours that run from early morning to evening, shorter on Sundays. The city centre is about a 10-minute walk from the station.

Engineering works can change a Sunday or a late evening

Late-night and Sunday engineering works sometimes change the trains between Ipswich and Norwich and the journey can take longer. The booking engine and app show any change on your date, so look before you buy a ticket.