Ipswich station, initially called Ipswich Stoke Hill, opened in 1846. At that time, steamboats were the main source of transport in and out of the town, but the arrival of rail soon spelt the end for the waterways. To accommodate the rail line, a tunnel was built and is still used today. During its construction, the fossil of a turtle, a lion and a woolly mammoth were found. The station eventually moved to its present location, on Burrell Road, in 1860.
Coming into the town by train, visitors arrive in the south side of the city, well within walking distance of the town's best features, including Gippeswyk Park, which can be reached by bicycle (bikes can be hired at the station).
Ipswich has over 800 years of heritage and culture, from Darwin to Dickens, making it a hotspot for curious readers and science boffins alike. Less bookish offerings include the beautiful Ipswich Waterfront and the state-of-the-art Portman Road, home to Ipswich Town FC and the club's famously friendly 'Tractor Boys' fans.
Ipswich train station is mainly served by Greater Anglia trains, which connect Lowestoft to Ipswich in 1h 32m, Norwich to Ipswich in 41m, Cambridge to Ipswich in 1h 17m and London to Ipswich in 1h 16m.
Need more information on how to get to Ipswich by train? Check out our dedicated page to trains to Ipswich.
Want to know when your next train from/to Ipswich station departs? Scroll down this page and click on the ‘Departures’ tab if you want to check all trains departing from Ipswich railway station or click on the ‘Arrivals’ tab for more information about all services arriving into Ipswich.
Ipswich train station has coffee shops and refreshment kiosks, waiting rooms, toilets and free WiFi. Lifts provide step-free access to the footbridge between platforms 1 and 3a to 4c. All toilets are next to platform 2, and there are baby-changing facilities on the concourse.
Ipswich train station has three car parks off Burrell Road: the first one is for long-stay parking, the second one is for short-stay parking and the third one (the West End Car Park) is for long-stay and pay and display parking.
Looking for a hotel near Ipswich railway station? There’s a wide range of hotels you can choose from. Simply click on the button below and book now your accommodation in Ipswich.
Ipswich station is open every day that services are running to and from the station. The station usually opens just before the first train of the day leaves and then closes after the last train departs. Ticket office opening hours may vary.
Trains arrive into and depart from Ipswich station almost every day, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains running to and from Ipswich.
Yes, there are toilets available to use at Ipswich station.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Ipswich station, but they should be kept on a lead or in a pet carrier at all times.
Looking for a coffee on the way to the station? We've collected a list of our favourite independent coffee houses and eateries within walking distance of the station - check them out below!
Cafe |
How far? |
What's it all about? |
---|---|---|
Cool Beanz Coffee House | 6 minutes | Serving great coffee and local tasty food. Do pop in... |
Hullabaloo vegan cafe and wholefoods | 11 minutes | Vegan cafe and wholefoods, ethically and locally sourced, educational space. Worth a detour! |
Departing to | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
to Norwich | Greater Anglia | 19:10 | 3 | On time |
to London Liverpool Street | Greater Anglia | 19:10 | 2 | On time |
to Lowestoft | Greater Anglia | 19:17 | 1 | On time |
to Cambridge | Greater Anglia | 19:20 | 2B | On time |
to Colchester | Greater Anglia | 19:33 | 2B | On time |
Arriving from | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
from London Liverpool Street | Greater Anglia | 19:08 | 3 | On time |
from Norwich | Greater Anglia | 19:09 | 2 | On time |
from London Liverpool Street | Greater Anglia | 19:22 | 4 | On time |
from Peterborough | Greater Anglia | 19:27 | 2B | On time |
from Lowestoft | Greater Anglia | 19:35 | 1 | On time |