Getting to Thorpe Park Train Station from the UK's Biggest Cities

speeding train

Written by our web team

8 min read | Published 13 April 2023 Updated 18 October 2023


For almost 50 years, Thorpe Park has provided family fun to visitors from all over the country and abroad. The amusement park is home to more than 30 thrilling rides and attractions, making it the ideal family getaway for all ages.

Whether you are an adventure-seeker or just looking to spend quality time with your family and friends, taking a train to Thorpe Park from almost any major city in the UK is convenient.

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing train ride, especially one that explores the beautiful landscapes and sights that the UK has to offer. Plus, buying train tickets to Thorpe Park couldn’t be easier.

If you sign up for our Priority Ticket alerts, you could get major savings on advance tickets. Family fares also make great savings even simpler, if you’ve got little ones in tow.

So whether you’re travelling from Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds or just about anywhere else, this guide will detail the most popular trains to Thorpe Park resort from your home city.

The nearest train station to Thorpe Park

Nearest station
If you’re looking for the Thorpe Park train station, the closest one is Staines Railway Station. It sits on the Waterloo to Reading line, approximately 31 km down the line from London Waterloo.

There are several different train routes available to this station, combining both regular south-western routes as well as links to the West Coast Main Line between London and other parts of the country.

Thorpe Park is less than 5km away from Staines railway station. Remember, you will need to purchase a valid train ticket to reach Staines. Oyster cards, contactless payment cards and Freedom Passes may not be valid for this journey. Reach out to us directly to learn more.

Once you get to Staines Railway Station you can choose to get to Thorpe Park by walking, cycling or taking a bus service, like the 950 express bus.

Buses to Thorpe Park from Staines Railway Station run every 15 to 20 minutes from 9 am. They then return visitors from the park to Staines up until one hour after the park’s closing time.

You may need to refer to Staines Bus Station’s official website for details.

London to Thorpe Park

London
Thorpe Park is just 20 miles from central London. The nearest station is Staines and regular trains run from Waterloo station. The journey time is around 40 minutes, just long enough to relax and plan your day. Look out for Waterloo station’s famous clock, known as London’s most romantic meeting place. 

If you’re travelling with Avanti on the West Coast Mainline, change at Euston station and hop on the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line. It’s a few stops to Waterloo and should take around 15 minutes.

If you do choose to travel by train, you’ll have the opportunity to sit back and relax, watching as urban London changes into suburban areas with quintessential British homes, parks, and green spaces.

As you near Staines, you'll see glimpses of the River Thames, and might even spot aircraft in the distance thanks to nearby Heathrow Airport.

Bristol to Thorpe Park

Bristol
The train journey time from Bristol to Thorpe Park (Staines Railway Station) is approximately two and a half hours. Since the amusement park opens at 10 am, you might want to travel early in the morning to make the most of your day there.

While there isn’t a direct train from Bristol to Staines railway station, there are several different route options and changes available. From Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, you will need to change at Reading to catch a connection to Staines.

On the journey, you’ll pass through the beautiful landscapes of the West Country. Glimpse the Cotswolds early on, with the Thames Valley coming into view as you approach your destination.

Manchester to Thorpe Park

Manchester
The train journey to Thorpe Park from Manchester is under four hours one way. You will depart from Manchester Piccadilly and change at London Euston to get to Staines.

If you decide to take the train route via Reading, the journey time will be slightly longer, at around four hours and 30 minutes.

On the way, you'll pass through the urban North West before discovering the hills of the Cheshire countryside. Later, keep an eye out for the urban sprawls of the Midlands before the Thames Valley heralds your upcoming arrival at Staines.

Leeds to Thorpe Park

Leeds
Leeds is a West Yorkshire Combined Authority city that is close to Manchester, so it will take a similar amount of time to get to Thorpe Park from here.

There are several trains operated from Leeds, and you will need to make at least two changes to your train route to reach Thorpe Park.

Not many people know that there is a Thorpe Park in Leeds, and rightly so because it is a very different kind of park. Not one filled with amusement rides and entertainment, Leeds Thorpe Park a vibrant business hub.

If you choose a train ride for your journey, you’ll head through parts of West Yorkshire with its mix of urban centres, moors, and historic towns. Then, as you move south, you'll pass through the Midlands, possibly catching glimpses of major cities like Derby or Leicester en route.

Birmingham to Thorpe Park

Birmingham
Two main train operators run services between Birmingham and Thorpe Park and both can be booked via our journey planner. You can catch a train from Birmingham New Street station and change trains at London Waterloo, or Reading, and take a train to Staines from there.

The train journey time from Birmingham to Staines is around two and a half to three hours, although this can vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week.

If you need to change trains at London Waterloo, the journey time will be longer. Because of this, it's worth checking the timetables in advance to make sure you're aware of any potential delays and traffic during rush hour.

Departing Birmingham, you'll have the opportunity to watch urban and industrial landscapes gradually giving way to the serene countryside of the Midlands. Nearing your destination, the landscape grows more urban once more as you approach London.

Liverpool to Thorpe Park

Liverpool
Liverpool is a city located in the north-west of England, so it can take more than 3 hours to reach Thorpe Park from there by train. There is a train from Liverpool Lime Street, and it requires two changes to reach your destination.

Travelling by train, you'll start with views around urban Merseyside and possibly glimpses of the River Mersey. Next, Cheshire's lovely countryside and the cities of the Midlands will come into view. The latter part of your journey will mostly be urban, as you come close to London and then head to Staines.

Sheffield to Thorpe Park

Sheffield
To get to Thorpe Park from Sheffield by train, you will need to change at London St Pancras station. The journey can take a total of three to four hours one-way.

Departing from Sheffield, you'll be treated to views of South Yorkshire's mix of urban landscapes and green spaces. Then, as you travel south, keep an eye out for parts of the Peak District.

The latter part of the journey takes you through the Midlands and finally into the Thames Valley.

Glasgow to Thorpe Park

Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and one of the largest across the United Kingdom. This makes it easily accessible by road and rail, and its residents can enjoy travelling to Thorpe Park Resort conveniently as well.

The best way to reach Thorpe Park from Glasgow is to change at London first. The most common route is to take a train from Glasgow Central Station to London Euston Station, which takes approximately four and a half hours.

On your journey, you’ll see the urban environment of Glasgow and stunning Scottish landscapes, possibly catching glimpses of lochs and rolling hills. As you cross into England, the Lake District might be a highlight, followed by landscapes of the North West and the Midlands.

Book your train journey to Thorpe Park today

Book your train journey
With great views alongside the tracks and plenty of stops along the way where you can snap some photos, travelling by train to Thorpe Park is a great choice when you want to make your journey part of the experience.

At Avanti West Coast, we strive to make sure that every journey is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Enjoy free onboard Wi-Fi and easy Click and Collect food and drink when travelling via Standard Class. Or benefit from extra legroom or even dedicated at-seat service with our Standard Premium and First Class tickets.

Travelling to Thorpe Park from outside London? Extend your stay and explore all the United Kingdom’s capital city has to offer while you’re in the area.

Buy train tickets for your next journey

Buying through our website or app saves you money because we never charge booking fees.

To take a look at more ways to save including using a Railcard, booking in advance, and booking as a group, visit our ways to save page.

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