Travelling by car

Loughborough’s nearest motorway link is the M1, which runs north from London; the campus is just 2 miles from junction 23. The University is clearly signed on all other main approach roads to Loughborough. Please make your way to the West Entrance (LE11 3AJ) where you will be greeted by our Security who will be able to direct for parking.

Travelling by coach or bus

Coach and bus services operate to/from the centre of Loughborough. Travel by National Express or regional bus services to Loughborough then connect with the local Sprint bus service to the Loughborough University campus (see Getting around Loughborough).

Travelling by rail

Loughborough train station is located 2.5 miles from Loughborough University and the campus is easily reached in 20 minutes by bus. There are direct trains to Loughborough from London St Pancras International station that leave several times every hour and take less that 1.5 hours. Eurostar services also terminate at St Pancras, making it easy to transition to domestic rail services. From the bus stand located at Loughborough train station, the Sprint bus can be caught to the University campus.

Just 7 miles away, East Midlands airport (EMA) is the closest airport to the Loughborough campus. The airport links to destinations mainly in the UK and Europe. From EMA, the Skylink Derby bus can be caught into Loughborough town (30 mins), where the Sprint bus can then be used to access the campus (12 mins) (see Getting to Loughborough from EMA).

Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is a larger airport that serves more global destinations. A free air-rail link directly connects the airport with Birmingham International train station. Unfortunately there isn't a direct train from Birmingham to Loughborough, and the journey takes between 1.5-2hrs. Car hire options are available at the airport and the drive takes around an hour (depending on traffic!).

London Stansted (STN) and London Luton (LTN) airports both serve destinations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMEA region). Budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair offer a large number of flights from Luton and Stansted respectively. Luton airport is directly connected to Luton Airport Parkway station via the DART monorail system; from where trains to Loughborough take approximately 1.5 hours. It is possible to travel from Stansted to Loughborough by train but it is much quicker in a hire car (~2 hours).

The largest selection, and most likely the cheapest flights, will be to/from London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW) airports, particularly from long haul destinations. Both are only 2.5 hrs train journey to Loughborough. A range of public transport options link the two airports to London St Pancras International station, from where there are direct trains to Loughborough (see Travelling by Rail). The Transport for London website is particularly useful for navigating London's public transport system.

East Midlands Airport is a short 20-minute car journey and there are both taxi companies and car hire providers that operate from the airport. In addition, Kinchbus run a 24/7 SkyLink bus service to/from Loughborough and East Midlands Airport approximately every 20 minutes. More information on the route and fares can be found on the Kinchbus website.

Travel from East Midlands Airport to Loughborough Town Centre

To catch the Skylink bus from EMA to Loughborough town centre head to Bay D of the Coach Park and catch the Skylink Derby bus heading towards Leicester. If your accommodation is in Loughborough town centre, is it best to get off at the Derby Road stop (Stand DA) for the Travelodge, or stay on the bus for another two stops to Aumberry Gap for the Premier Inn. 

Travel from East Midlands Airport to Loughborough University

To take public transport from EMA to Loughborough University accommodation (e.g. Burleigh Court or The Link Hotel), head to Bay D of the Coach Park, and catch the Skylink Derby bus heading towards Leicester. Get off the bus at the Derby Road Stop (Stand DA) and walk 2 minutes down Derby Road to The Rushes bus stop (Stand RA). From there you can pick up the Sprint bus towards campus, and alight at Engineering for Burleigh Court Hotel, or Holywell Park for The Link Hotel.

Kinchbus Sprint bus service

Kinchbus is the main bus operator for Loughborough and Leicester, providing lots of routes to help you get around during your stay in Loughborough. Their Sprint bus service runs every 10 minutes and links the University with the town centre and station. More information on routes and fares can be found using the following link: https://www.kinchbus.co.uk/services/sprint

Travel from Loughborough Station to Loughborough Town Centre

For those staying at the Travelodge, Premier Inn, or other accommodation in Loughborough town centre, the Sprint bus service runs every 10 minutes from Loughborough Station, alongside taxis. If you take the bus from Loughborough station, alight at Ashby Square (Stand AA), for a short walk to your hotel destination. This is the stand you can also use to catch the same bus through to the conference centre.

Travel from Loughborough Town Centre to Holywell Conference Centre

For those staying at the Travelodge, Premier Inn, or other accommodation in Loughborough town centre, the best public transport option is to take the Sprint bus to Loughborough University from the Ashby Square stand (stand AA) and alight at Holywell Park (last stop). This bus takes you through the Loughborough University campus and has various stops throughout to explore other areas of campus if you prefer.

From the Holywell Park bus stop, the Holywell conference centre is a 4-minute walk.

Travel from Holywell Conference Centre to Loughborough Town Centre/Loughborough Station

To return to Loughborough town centre, you can catch the Sprint bus (direction: Railway Station) from the Holywell Park bus stop, and alight at the Greenclose Lab stop (Stand GA), opposite the Ashby Square stand. Continue on this line to the last stop for Loughborough Station.