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Getting the Train to Alton Towers | Stations, Routes & FAQs

April 30, 2024

Are you seeking a thrilling getaway filled with exhilarating twists and turns, minus the stress of driving? Hop aboard the train to Alton Towers, the UK's premier theme park renowned for its adrenaline-pumping rides and family-friendly attractions. Feel your heart race with excitement, not stress, and discover the best way to reach Alton Towers by train, explore nearby stations, and plan your unforgettable adventure with our guide below.

Why visit Alton Towers?

Alton Towers is a must-visit destination for adrenaline seekers. Home to world-class roller coasters and unique attractions, this theme park promises non-stop excitement. Experience the heart-pounding thrills of rides like " The Smiler ," featuring a record-breaking 14 inversions, and " Wicker Man ," the UK's first wooden roller coaster in over 20 years, combining wood and fire effects for an unforgettable experience.

Not ready for the thrills and spills of the big rides, yet? Families can also enjoy immersive attractions like " CBeebies Land ," offering interactive rides and shows for young children.

Beyond the rides, Alton Towers boasts stunning gardens, enchanting themed areas, and captivating live entertainment. Don't miss out on iconic attractions such as " Galactica ," a virtual reality roller coaster that takes you on an interstellar journey, or " Oblivion ," the world's first vertical drop coaster.

Train stations nearby Alton Towers

Located approximately 9 miles from Alton Towers, Uttoxeter station is the closest railway station. From here, you can take a short taxi ride or bus (the X41) to reach the theme park.

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent station is a major transport hub with direct bus services to Alton Towers. Trains from cities like Manchester and Birmingham also serve this station. Its 15 miles away from Alton Towers, and a taxi would take around 25 minutes

Located around 25 miles away from Alton Towers, Derby station offers connections to Uttoxeter (23-minute EMR service), with bus services available to Alton Towers. Trains from London and other major cities stop at Derby.

Popular Routes to Alton Towers

London to uttoxeter via derby.

Travel from London to Derby by train, then transfer to a bus or taxi to reach Alton Towers.

Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent

Take a train from Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent, then hop on a direct bus or get a taxi service to Alton Towers.

Birmingham to Uttoxeter

Journey from Birmingham to Uttoxeter by train, followed by a short bus (the X41) or taxi ride to the theme park.

Sheffield to Derby

Travel from Sheffield to Derby by train, then continue your journey to Alton Towers via bus (Swift service) or train (23-minute EMR service).

Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent

Catch a train from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent and transfer to a bus or train for convenient access to Alton Towers.

Trains to Alton Towers FAQs

How far is alton towers from uttoxeter station, are there direct buses from stoke-on-trent station to alton towers, can i purchase alton towers tickets at the train station, is there accommodation near alton towers, what are the park opening hours, are there special facilities for guests with disabilities at alton towers, <h2>blogs</h2>.

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By the Avanti Web Team

5 min read | April 11, 2023

Navigating your way to the world-famous Alton Towers resort from the UK's biggest cities can seem intimidating and daunting, especially if you don’t have a car or get overwhelmed with road signs.

We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be difficult as you can access Alton Towers resort by train. Whether you're visiting from London, Bristol or Manchester, there are some simple and affordable ways of getting to the nearest train station from each city with relative ease.

This guide will tell you how to get to Alton Towers from the UK’s major cities by train, with options for all types of budgets. Read on to find a train station close to Alton Towers that’s best for your plans.

The closest train station to Alton Towers

While there is no dedicated Alton Towers train station, the closest train station to Alton Towers theme park is Uttoxeter station. It is approximately 16km away from the theme park. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to get to Alton Towers and it takes about 20 minutes to get there.

Another option is to reach Stoke-on-Trent railway station which is around 24km away from the theme park, and then take public transport or a taxi to Alton Towers.

There are several bus companies that operate from Stoke-on-Trent station to Alton Towers, including First Potteries and D&G Bus. The journey takes around 45 minutes and drops you off at the main entrance to the theme park.

For accurate directions, take a look at the official Alton Towers website . You can also search for ‘Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB’ on Google Maps for the Alton Tower address pin that will take you between the M1 and the M6.

Manchester trains to Alton Towers

Manchester is approximately 80km away from Alton Towers, and it will take you less than an hour and a half to reach.

The large industrial city in the northwest of England has several main train stations. Manchester Piccadilly is the main train station in Manchester, and it's where you'll be departing from. The station is located in the city centre, so it's easily accessible from anywhere in Manchester.

To get to Alton Towers, you'll need to take a train to Stoke-on-Trent station. This journey typically takes around an hour, depending on which train you take.

London to Alton Towers

There are so many fun weekend getaways from London, and most, like Alton Towers, are accessible by train . There are several stations in London where you can catch a train to Alton Towers, including London Euston, London St Pancras, and London Marylebone.

The journey time and ticket prices will vary depending on which station you choose. ‘How long does it take to get to Alton Towers from London?’ you may ask, and we’re here to tell you that you can reach it in about two hours.

Birmingham to Alton Towers

Getting to Alton Towers from Birmingham by train is one of the least complicated ways to make the roughly 58km journey. The fastest route involves catching a train from Birmingham New Street Station to Stoke-on-Trent Station, where you can then transfer onto a bus or taxi to take you to Alton Towers in under an hour and a half.

Liverpool to Alton Towers

The best way to get to Alton Towers from Liverpool is to take a train from Liverpool Lime Street Station to Stoke-on-Trent Station and then change to a train for the final leg of the journey to Uttoxeter Station. The journey can be completed in just over two hours.

Sheffield to Alton Towers

Located in South Yorkshire, Sheffield is only an hour and 30 minutes train journey away from Alton Towers. Getting there involves taking a direct train from Sheffield station that stops at Derby and Stoke-on-Trent before arriving at Uttoxeter.

Leicester to Alton Towers

The train to Alton Towers from Leicester is only an hour’s journey. Like most of the other routes, you will need to change trains at Derby.

Leeds to Alton Towers

Travelling to Alton Towers by train from Leeds is a convenient and comfortable way to reach the theme park. You can take a train that changes at either Derby or Stoke-on-Trent to then make your way down to Uttoxeter.

Use the journey planner to find the route that is most convenient for you on your date of travel.

Bristol to Alton Towers

Riding the rails from Bristol to Alton Towers means you can chill before you take on the thrills and spills of the park. So why risk getting stuck in traffic? Change at Derby and you’ll make it in under three hours.

Edinburgh to Alton Towers

The hilly Scottish city of Edinburgh seems like a very far place to travel from to reach Alton Towers, but with a fantastic railway system, it is convenient and easy.

The journey requires two changes, however it can be done in over five hours. The first change is at Preston and the second one at Crewe will then take you directly to Uttoxeter.

Glasgow to Alton Towers

Similarly to those departing from Edinburgh, Glasgow travellers will also need to change twice in their train journey to Alton Towers. First change at Wigan North Western and then at Crewe station.

Get to Alton Towers by train

Whether you’re looking for fun things to do on a long weekend away or would like to spend a full day out at Alton Towers , make sure you book your train ticket with Avanti to enjoy the best savings.

This way you don’t have to worry about how to get to Alton Towers without a car. The thrilling adventure park is a must-visit attraction for couple, families, and groups of friends of all ages.

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The kids really want an amusement park.

Need help to decide according to our needs.

Family with 3 kids:

15 yo boy - like Rollercoasters but without loops

10 yo - not yet 1.40 meters. Want to go on all the scary things.

9 yo - not yet 1.40 meters. Like simple and not too scary Rollercoasters.

We stay at peak district so 20 minutes to AT and an hour to DM.

None of the kids like Thomas.

In the dates we can go in July, DM has school week so the park might be busier.

Any opinions?

2 replies to this topic

I'm not sure what you mean by "has school week" - if its school holidays in the UK then that will impact AT as well as DM.

Which exact date are you looking at? Might impact views as to crowd levels etc.

Ah, I see! Its the last week of school term, which they have designated for school trip visits! Yeah...that doesn't sound good!

AT has school trips as well, though don't think its as structured as a week dedicated to it. That said, its total peak week for school trips...so there may be some there too.

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3 ways you can save money on Alton Towers tickets (and the fine print you need to know to bag the best bargain)

Did you know you can go to Alton Towers from as little as £11? But it might leave older children a little miffed - here's why

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Alton Towers is offering some families the chance to visit the resort for as little as £11, but only certain families will be able to benefit from the money-saving offer.

As all parents (and thrill-seekers) know, Alton Towers can be an expensive day out. On paper, visiting the theme park seems like a great thing to do with kids , getting them out in the fresh air and keeping them entertained all day. But definitely wouldn't normally be described as a cheap day out, with on the day tickets costing a whopping £68 per adult. At certain times of year, especially around Black Friday , you can usually take advantage of some hefty discounts, but sadly they're not available all year round.

School holidays can also be an expensive time to visit, which can make it difficult to make ends meet , but there are clever things you can try to reduce the cost of admission.

1. Look for Merlin vouchers on cereal boxes

Cereal fans should check the boxes of their favourite breakfast foods before throwing them in the recycling bin to check whether there is a Merlin voucher on the box. This promotion has been running for years, and offers discounted tickets to those with the 10-digit code (which can be found on the inside of Kellogg's cereal packets with the Merlin promotion). This has historically been a 'kids-go-free' promotion whenever a full-price adult ticket is purchased.

This can be a crucial way to save money if the only time you can go as a family is at the weekend or during school holidays.

2. Book in advance

Turning up to a theme park like Alton Towers on the day and buying your tickets on the door is a sure fire way to pay the highest prices. Instead, make sure you book online in advance of when you go. For example, an on the day pass for Alton Towers costs £68 for an adult, while advance tickets start from £29 . The cheapest tickets can be found on less busy days, which is great for adults who can take a random day off work and take advantage of off-peak prices, but can be much harder for families whose kids are in school. Even if you have to visit at more peak times, like weekends and school holidays, booking in advance can help save you some money.

3. Take advantage of the Parent & Toddler Pass

If you have a child who hasn't reached school age yet, then a Parent and Toddler Pass is the way to visit Alton Towers for less. The pass costs £29 and will give a parent and child under 5 access to the whole theme park and CBeebies Land, working out at just £14.50 per person. For an extra £5, you can take an additional child under £5, which works out at just over £11 per person.

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While children this age will be too young to go on a lot of the rides in the main park, CBeebies Land (which celebrates its tenth birthday this year) could be right up their street, thanks to attractions including Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig, and JoJo & Gran Gran At Home. And new for 2024, there's a chance for a meet and greet with Bluey !

If you were desperate to have a go on some of the adult rides yourself during off-peak times, you could rope another friend in to come along where you could take turns watching the kids. Even buying an advance adult ticket at off peak times, is likely to work out cheaper than an on-the-day adult ticket.

However, this pass does have its limitations. It's only valid Monday to Friday during term time and it is only for children under five. This can be hugely difficult to navigate if you have one child in school and one under the age of five. But if you plan ahead for any TED days that might be in your child's calendar, you might be able to take advantage of cheaper tickets for the whole family.

If you do head for a family day out at an attraction like Alton Towers and it's ruined by the rain. All may not be lost. Check to see if they have a rainy day guarantee in place, that means you can go again free of charge.

Sarah is GoodtoKnow’s Consumer Writer & Money Editor and is passionate about helping mums save money wherever they can - whether that's spending wisely on toys and kidswear or keeping on top of the latest news around childcare costs, child benefit, the motherhood penalty. A writer, journalist and editor with more than 15 years' experience, Sarah is all about the latest toy trends and is always on the look out for toys for her nephew or Goddaughters so that she remains one of their favourite grown ups. When not writing about money or best buys, Sarah can be found hanging out with her rockstar dog Pepsi, getting opinionated about a movie or learning British Sign Language. 

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The best UK theme parks and when to visit

From exhilarating rollercoasters to dinosaurs and lego, britain offers myriad options for a high-octane day out, article bookmarked.

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With summer around the corner – with longer days and better weather – Brits begin to have more options for an enjoyable day out – including exploring one of the nation’s many theme parks.

Most UK parks have something for everyone, from 205ft high-speed rollercoasters to interactive learning areas for kids. Whether going on a thrill-seeking trip to Thorpe Park or taking the kids to the Peppa Pig World during the holidays , there’s a big enough choice of attractions to cater to different tastes and ages.

We’ve rounded up the best theme parks in the UK , from the big names you’ll likely have heard of to lesser-known ones that nevertheless offer a fun-packed excursion.

See below for all the latest information on attractions, ticket prices and opening times too, so that you can plan the ideal day out to experience some thrills and spills.

Thorpe Park, Surrey

One of the UK’s most famous theme parks, Thorpe Park recently re-opened in March after the winter closing period.

The Chertsey park welcomed 1.7 million visitors in 2021 and is opening two new rides in the near future, hoping to keep visitor numbers steady after the pandemic.

The next generation Ghost Train opening in late 2023, while Hyperia – an £18m investment that will be the park’s tallest ride – welcomed its first riders in May 2024 ( though it did close just days later ).

Another top attraction is Stealth. Standing at over 200ft tall and reaching maximum speeds of 80mph, this is one for the thrill-seekers.

Opening Hours

Open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Watch out for extended opening hours on special dates, as well as closure dates on Wednesdays in May and Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September.

Ticket Prices

Prices start at £29 for advanced tickets bought online. Under-threes go free. thorpepark.com

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Crowned Theme Park of the Year at the 2022 annual UK Theme Park Awards, Alton Towers opened a new ride, The Curse at Alton Manor, in 2023.

The Curse takes riders on “a hair-raising journey” and joined long-time favourites such as Nemesis and Oblivion.

The park also contains several child-friendly attractions, such as Heave Ho and Postman Pat’s Parcel Post. These contributed to the park also winning the award for Best Large Theme Park for Families.

Open from 10am to 4pm until mid-May, when times change from 10am to 5pm. Open for an hour later on weekends, and from 10am until 6pm on every day in July and August.

Prices start at £29 for online bookings made in advance. Kids under three are admitted for free. altontowers.com

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Another Staffordshire offering, Drayton Manor is more child-friendly than other UK parks but still contains enough adrenaline-inducing rides to keep adults entertained.

Home to Europe’s only Thomas Land (which welcomed a new Submarine Splash ride last year) and a recently opened Vikings Land, Drayton Manor also offers several rollercoasters and its own zoo containing tigers, monkeys and several species of snake.

Drayton Manor is open from 10.30am until 4pm on Monday through Thursday. On Fridays and weekends, the park opens between 10.30am and 9pm. In July and August, the park is open from 10.30am until 5pm every day. Plan ahead and watch out for zoo-only days in May.

Prices start at £24.90 for over-threes, with tickets for two and three-year-olds costing from £15. Under-twos go free. draytonmanor.co.uk

Legoland, Berkshire

The second Legoland park in the world (after the original was opened in Denmark in 1968), Legoland Windsor celebrates its 28th year in operation in 2023. Recent additions include Lego Ferrari Build and Race Experience, along with the Lego Duplo Build Zone for kids.

Featuring several interactive zones and allowing visitors to “create your own Ferrari race car and fine-tune it while you test drive it”, the experience is sure to be a hit for racing fans of all ages. It joins several new openings at the park over the last few years, such as the Magical Forest last year and the Lego Mythica area in 2021.

Open 10am until 5pm between Sunday and Friday. Open from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays. Plan in advance to avoid closure days and to take advantage of later opening times in June, July and August.

Tickets from £29 if booked in advance. Children under 0.9m tall get free entry. legoland.co.uk

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Originally a zoo, Chessington opened as a theme park in 1987 and has been a popular UK attraction ever since. With several areas based on different parts of the world, Chessington is more family-oriented than Thorpe Park and Alton Towers and has recently refurbished the Shipwreck Coast area, opening two new rides – Trawler Trouble and Barrel Bail Out – in 2022.

New last year was the ‘World of Jumanji’. This large themed area contains three new rides, including the world’s only Jumanji rollercoaster (Mandrill Mayhem), as well as six new Jumanji-themed rooms at the Chessington Safari Hotel .

Open from 10am until 5pm during the week and 10am until 6pm on weekends.

Under-threes go for free. Tickets start at £29 if booked in advance. chessington.com

Read more on  UK travel :

• The best UK holiday destinations for families
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• How Lancashire forged a sublime food scene to rival the best in France

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire

With several new openings since the end of Covid, Blackpool Pleasure Beach remains the main attraction in a town that received almost 19 million visitors in 2021 .

Valhalla, the park’s major dark ride in which riders board a ‘longboat’ and are taken on a journey to the realm of Norse mythology, reopened last year – and there’s plenty more for adrenaline seekers.

Open from 11am until 5pm on weekdays and Sundays. Open until 6pm on Saturdays.

Online tickets start at £33 for adults and over-12s. Tickets for under-12s are £28, while kids under three go free. blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

M&D’s, Lanarkshire

Branded as ‘Scotland’s Theme Park’ on its website, M&D’s is located near Motherwell and is Scotland’s biggest theme park. Although there are no new attractions opening this year, M&D’s still boasts several popular rides and attractions.

Along with a zoo containing 60 different animal species, M&D’s has 23 rollercoasters, thrill rides and water rides, including Twister and White Water.

Rides are closed throughout a large portion of May and June, although are open every weekend from 11am until 6pm. From July, rides are open every day from 11am until 6pm.

Entry to the park is free. Wristbands – for access to the rides – start at £19.95 and can be bought in adult and toddler packages for £25. scotlandsthemepark.com

Paulton’s Park, Hampshire

Designed mainly for families and children, Paulton’s Park contains a plethora of kid-friendly attractions. Visitors will find everything from Peppa Pig World to several animal areas, showcasing 80 different species.

Rides such as Cobra and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club ensure there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained.

Attractions are open from 10am until 5pm during the week and until 5.30pm on weekends.

Day tickets start at £43.50 for anyone over 1m tall. paultonspark.co.uk

Gulliver’s World, Cheshire

Designed for kids up to 13 years old, Gulliver’s World opened in 1989 and was the second Gulliver’s theme park to be opened in the UK. Main rides include the Antelope (a figure of eight rollercoaster) and Apache Falls (a river rapids ride).

Part of a new car-themed area, the Grand Prix Racer rollercoaster takes drivers through a journey filled with twists and turns, while Overdrive gives riders a 360-degree thrill.

Park is closed through a lot of weekdays in May and June. Open from 10.30am until 5pm every weekend and 10.30am until 4pm on some weekdays.

Prices start at £24 if booked online in advance, while entry for children under 90cm tall is free. gulliversworldresort.co.uk

Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

Containing an award-winning zoo and several attractions suitable for both children and adults, Flamingo Land sits on 375 acres of Yorkshire’s famous countryside.

The park boasts impressive rides such as Mumbo Jumbo, a steel rollercoaster with a 112-degree vertical drop that once saw it hold the record for ‘world’s steepest rollercoaster made from steel’.

Park is open between 10am and 5pm every day.

Tickets start at £44.50 if booked in advance. Children under three receive free entry. flamingoland.co.uk

Read more of our reviews of the  best UK hotels

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I took my kids to Alton Towers' CBeebies Land and couldn't drag them away from one thing

Alton Towers could be the 'BEEB's knees for families with little kids looking for a May half-term treat. The Midlands theme park is marking the first decade of its theme park for little thrillseekers - CBeebies Land.

And the birthday bash has been boosted by a week of live events and extras with the real stars (both human and furry) from the beloved BBC channel.

On Saturday, I attended the first day of the 10th (older than nearly all of its viewers!) celebrations with my four young daughters. The centre-piece was House Party Live, a stage show hosted with boundless enthusiasm by Kingswinford's bubbly presenter Evie Pickerill.

Read more: We went to Alton Towers and reviewed every single ride for 2024 - including Nemesis Reborn

It was a half-hour of family fun, with confetti cannons and giant balloons launched into the audience, and sketches with several members of the CBeebies team. Some live, some on the giant screen.

On this occasion, Justin 'Mr Tumble' Fletcher, Dodge The Dog and the arty Mr Maker also appeared, but guests and hosts change each day until Sunday. Also this week, the nearby front lawns area hold a range of activities. Party games, turning everyday objects into instruments, bubble-making, and more.

But beyond the temporary additions, there is the usual Alton Towers appeal for young and old. A huge factor to be considered with a trip to the Staffordshire resort is, of course, the queues. Especially during half-term.

There's no getting away from the fact that you'll have to keep kids patient (an impossible task at times) while waiting for the next ride. But we found plenty to do that didn't take any time to get stuck into.

I could barely drag my quartet away from the lovely, and safe, Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge playground. Justin’s Pie-O-Matic Factory is an absolute blast, literally. It's a manic two-storey hall full of cannons firing thousands of soft red balls down on all below.

A lot of the people gleefully manning the cannons looked a few decades beyond CBeebies age...)

And there's a new star in town - TV's best in breed Bluey . Canine characters from the animated Aussie classic now perform a short but fun dance show at the Big Fun Showtime venue.

And it was packed, with families queuing (that word again) around the block afterwards for pics with Bluey and co. There's a bit of everything inside CBeebies Land, from Postman Pat car rides for toddlers to unscary rollercoasters for the slightly older.

Although, with my seven year-olds, they could just about stomach some coasters in the main theme park like Runaway Mine Train and Spinball Whizzer - and, of course, the old watery favourite Congo River Rapids. So, if you have a little patience, there's plenty to celebrate at CBeebies Land and beyond this half-term.

How to book

Guests can experience the CBeebies Land 10 Year Celebrations from £39 per person. This includes access to the wider theme park. The event runs until Sunday, June 2.

This May half-term, families can enjoy a staycation at one of the on-site accommodations from £37 per person (based on 2 adults and 2 children staying in a Stargazing Pod). All stays include buffet breakfast, 9-holes of Extraordinary Golf, exclusive evening entertainment and free hotel parking.

To book, head to www.altontowers.com for more info.