Searches for London to Epsom are mostly about trains, and Epsom has good ones from three London termini. On Derby weekend, though, the question changes to the last mile: how to get to the Downs, where to be dropped and how to get home afterwards.
The Derby Festival at Epsom Downs: what it is and when it runs
The Derby is one of Britain’s five Classic horse races, run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. The Jockey Club lists the 2027 Betfred Derby Festival as Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June 2027, on its Epsom Derby page: Friday is Ladies Day with the Betfred Oaks, and Saturday is Derby Day with the Betfred Derby. Check that page for the racing programme and ticket information.
The enclosures have different dress expectations. Smart clothes are normal on both days, and the more formal enclosures expect more. Check the Jockey Club’s information for your ticket before you go, and bring flat shoes for walking on the Downs.
London to Epsom: train, bus or car
Train. Epsom has trains from London Waterloo (South Western Railway), London Victoria (Southern) and London Bridge, all shown on National Rail. Other stations on the Downs side, such as Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner, are served from other routes. The Jockey Club has a directions and parking page that gives the recommended routes for the Derby; read it before you choose a station.
Bus. Local buses serve Epsom and the Downs. On Derby weekend, check the Jockey Club and Surrey County Council for temporary arrangements and diversions.
Car. From central London the drive is 19 miles, about 50 minutes without traffic, via the A3 or the A24. Racecourse parking is managed by the Jockey Club; prices and booking details are on their website, not here. Roads on the Downs are closed or restricted during the festival.
| Train | Bus | Chauffeur | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | No | No | Yes |
| Change needed | Sometimes | Often | Never |
| Return time | Any train | Any service | When you choose |
| Best for | One or two fans | Local visitors | Groups, formal dress, hospitality guests |
Choosing a station for the Derby
Epsom station is in the town, and the racecourse is up on the Downs, a few miles away, so the last leg is by bus, taxi or a long uphill walk. Other stations on the Downs side are closer to the course but have fewer trains from central London. The Jockey Club’s directions and parking page is the place to see which it recommends for your day, and whether any shuttle runs from the station. We do not quote fares or shuttle charges, because they are set by the operators and change each year.
A chauffeur to the Derby: how the day works
With hourly hire, the car and chauffeur are yours for the hours you book. The chauffeur collects you from your home, hotel or office, drives to the Downs and drops you at the point the Jockey Club publishes for taxis and private cars for your ticket. After the last race, you meet the car at the same place.
If your party is travelling from different places, tell us all the addresses and we can collect everyone on the way, for example a hotel in the West End and a home in Wimbledon, and bring you to the Downs together. The extra stops go into the hours at the same hourly rate, and we confirm the total before you book. For corporate groups, a V-Class or minibus keeps the whole party in one vehicle, which makes it easier to arrive and leave together.
The caveat is the exit. After the Derby, many thousands of people leave the Downs within an hour, and the roads are slow whichever way you leave. A chauffeur does not remove the queue; it removes the train platform, the taxi rank and the search for your car. Many groups stay on for a drink so that the roads clear before they leave.
What an Epsom chauffeur costs
Epsom is outside Greater London for our pricing, so the outside-London hourly rate applies: £70 an hour in an E-Class, £85 in an S-Class or V-Class and £105 in a Range Rover, with a 4-hour minimum, VAT included.
For a day at the Derby we estimate 8 hours (50 minutes each way plus six hours at the course): £560 in an E-Class, £680 in an S-Class or V-Class and £840 in a Range Rover. The price covers the whole car, not per person, and is agreed before you book. A V-Class carries up to 8, which suits a party. See the prices page for the full table.
Which car for Epsom
The E-Class or BMW 5 Series takes up to 3 passengers, and so does the S-Class or BMW 7 Series, which has more rear space for formal dress. The Range Rover takes up to 4. The V-Class or VW Transporter takes up to 8. A Mercedes Sprinter minibus carries up to 16 and is quoted on request; see coach and minibus hire.
Heathrow, other races and the summer season
Heathrow is 28 miles from the Downs, about 40 minutes without traffic. If you are flying in for the Derby we can collect you and take you to the course or your hotel; see our Heathrow airport transfer page, where the first hour of waiting is free.
The Derby is one of several summer events we cover. See our pages for Royal Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta and Wimbledon tennis, or our general chauffeur service in London.
How to book your Epsom Derby chauffeur
- Use the form below or our contact page with your date, ticket type, pick-up address and passengers.
- Tell us whether you need a return and what time racing finishes for you.
- We send a fixed price, VAT included, with the right car.
- Your chauffeur arrives at the agreed time and waits at the Downs.
Epsom without the racing
The Downs are open parkland for most of the year, and Epsom town has a market and a long high street. If you are visiting for a different reason, such as a family event or a business meeting, the same pricing applies: hourly hire with a 4-hour minimum, quoted before you book. Our chauffeur service page explains what is included.
Tips for Derby weekend
Read the Jockey Club’s travel information a few days before you go. Wear shoes that cope with grass and a long walk. Agree a meeting point with your chauffeur that you can both find in the crowd. And allow an extra hour at both ends of the day, because Epsom is a popular weekend even without the Derby.
Last updated 22 October 2026.
