Norwich Train Station (c) Norfolk Tourism

Getting to & around Norfolk

There are good transport links to the county of Norfolk and once you arrive, there are a variety of ways to get around and explore the area. The gentle landscape of the county means it is ideal for cycling and walking and there are also great facilities and routes for horseriding.

Jump to: By train // By Coach & Bus // By Car // By Air // Travel to Norwich // Travel Advice

By train

National Express East Anglia operates half hourly services from London Liverpool Street to Norwich and the average journey time is just 2 hours. Local connecting services are available to Great Yarmouth, Cromer, Sheringham, Ely and Cambridge. Services from Harwich (see the "Travelling by Boat" section) to Norwich are also available with a connection.

It also takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to travel from London King's Cross to King's Lynn and this is served by First Capital Connect.

If you're coming to Norfolk from the Midlands, the North and Scotland, simply change at Peterborough. East Midlands Trains operates hourly services between Peterborough and Norwich.

National and local rail information is available from National Rail Enquiries on 0845 6007245.

You can book tickets online via National Express East Anglia, My Train Ticket or The Train Line.

If you're planning a cycling holiday in Norfolk, you can usually carry your bike on the train but be sure to check with your operator prior to travel. Once in Norfolk there are a number of small, independent, rail services to choose from including the Bure Valley Railway, the Bittern Line, the North Norfolk Railway and Wherry Lines.

For more information about getting about in Norfolk by train, why not download the Days Out in Norfolk by Bus and Train leaflet?

Visit Norfolk and Norwich by bus (c) Norfolk Tourism

By coach or bus

Norfolk is served by National Express, with coach routes to Norwich bus station. Regional and local services are offered by First and Konect. For further details on local routes visit Traveline or call 0871 200 22 33.

Norwich is also well served by Park & Ride - download the Norwich Visitor Map with Park & Ride information. For more information on how to get to and explore the city, including the multi-operator bus ticket Fusion, see Getting Around Norwich.

If you are in North Norfolk, look out for the Coasthopper and if you are in and around Breckland, you might like to check out the Brecks Bus.

For more information about getting about in Norfolk by bus, why not download the Days Out in Norfolk by Bus and Train leaflet?

By car

If you are travelling to Norfolk from the South East and London, the M11, A11, A12 and A14 are the major trunk roads. From the Midlands and North of England the A14, A11 and A47 are the principal routes. For the latest travel information, don't forget to tune into local radio travel bulletins. For directions and further route planning information, visit the following sites: The AA, RAC, Google, Multimap, Streetmap.

Once you've arrived in Norfolk, you'll find plenty of coast roads, market towns, pretty villages and green countryside waiting to be explored.

If you are in need of a car when you get here, you'll find several car hire and taxi companies, particularly in Norwich and the towns of King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Thetford.

By air

Norwich International airport is located four miles from Norwich city centre. Scheduled flights are available from a variety of UK destinations with Eastern Airways, Flybe and BMI. Regular daily services are also available with KLM from Amsterdam, which connects to over 1000 worldwide destinations. Numerous charter flights are offered.

Norfolk is also only a 75 minute drive from London Stansted airport.

By boat

Car and passenger ferries operate daily to Harwich, which is approximately a two hour drive or an hour and half train journey from Norwich. European destinations include the Hook of Holland with Stena Line and Esjberg with DFDS Seaways.

Norfolk is famous for the Norfolk Broads and with 125 miles of navigable waterways, there are plenty of boating opportunities for you to take advantage of when you arrive. Find out more about boating holidays in Norfolk, or browse for boat trips, day boat hire and cruiser hire.

The historic Elm Hill in Norwich (c) Norfolk Tourism

Travel to Norwich

If you're staying in Norwich, then getting about the city couldn't be easier. Norwich is a compact city, built around the heart of the Castle and its surrounding medieval streets. It's delightful lanes, alleys and streets make walking in the city a charm, and you'll often come across an independent boutique you'd not spotted before! Pick up the Norwich Green Travel Map from the TIC / Forum to find the easiest ways of getting around. To make visiting and exploring Norwich even simpler, a new, free online walking route planner for Norwich has been launched, to encourage the city's residents and visitors to walk more. To find the best route from A to B, simply visit www.walkit.com/norwich and then get walking!

For more information on how to get to and explore the city, see Getting Around Norwich.

Don't be that family - check your route before you set off. Image (c) Highways Agency

Travelling advice from the Highways Agency

We've all been there. Getting more lost with every turn, or stuck in traffic for hours with the kids kicking off in the back. Trying as these situations are, you'd be surprised at how often people set off on a day trip or holiday without planning their route or checking traffic conditions. Here are some tips from the Highways Agency to get you on your way.

BEFORE YOU GO:
• Check your route on www.transportdirect.info
• Check traffic conditions on the automated telephone info line 08700 660 115
• Check for roadworks by calling 08457 50 40 30 or visiting www.trafficengland.com/disruptions.aspx
• Check the weather at www.metoffice.gov.uk

ON THE MOVE:
• Look for motorway message signs
• DAB digital radio - radio scan for ‘traffic radio' or stream from www.trafficradio.org.uk
• Call for updates on 08700 660 115
• Use your mobile; www.highways.gov.uk/mobile. But remember to use your mobile only at rest points - it's dangerous and illegal to drive while using your phone.
Remember to get your car serviced regularly to reduce the chances of a breakdown. Finally, in case the worst does happen you should always carry an emergency kit. Ideally this should contain a map, battery jump leads, a torch, a warning triangle, a fluorescent jacket, relevant medication, food and water.

The Highways Agency is responsible for England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Department for Transport. For more information please visit our website at www.highways.gov.uk.

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