The town is served by London Northwestern Railway with regular direct connections to London Euston (around 1 hour) and Birmingham New Street (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes), with around 2 trains per hour. The main train station, Northampton Station, is conveniently located near the town centre.

If you are travelling from Europe, Eurostar train services operate to/from London St Pancras Station, from where there are trains to Northampton with a change at London Euston.

To plan your train journey, visit National Rail Enquiries website.

National Express operates coaches from major cities, including London, Birmingham, and Manchester, to Northampton. The central bus station, North Gate bus station, is situated in the heart of the town, making it easy to access local transport options or walk to nearby destinations.

Northampton is easily accessible from the M1 motorway, with junctions 15, 15A, and 16 providing convenient entry points. Approximate driving times are 1 hour 30 minutes from London (70 miles via the M1 motorway) and 1 hour from Birmingham (50 miles via the M6 and M1 motorways).

Northampton is located close to London Heathrow, Birmingham, East Midlands and London Luton airports – taking up to 2 hours from Northampton Town Centre.

• London Heathrow Airport: The easiest way to reach Northampton from London Heathrow is to take a train via central London. Heathrow Express overground trains and London Underground services connect the airport with central London taking up to 60 mins. You could also get a taxi from London Heathrow which would take around 1 hour 30 minutes, and cost around £100 depending on the time of day and taxi provider.
• Birmingham Airport: The most convenient option is taking a direct train from Birmingham International Station, located at the airport, to Northampton, which takes around 50 minutes. You could also get a taxi from Birmingham Airport which would take around an hour, and cost around £70 depending on the time of day and taxi provider.
• East Midlands Airport: For the fastest public transport, take the Skylink Derby bus to Derby Station (40–45 minutes) and then a train with a transfer at Birmingham or Milton Keynes, totalling about 2 hours. Alternatively, the Skylink to Long Eaton Station and a train via Birmingham offers similar timing. For a budget option, National Express coaches provide a direct service in around 2 hours 30 minutes. The quickest option is a taxi or private hire, taking about 1 hour and costing £60–£100.
• Luton Airport: You can take a direct bus service from Luton Airport to Northampton via National Express, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St. Pancras and connect to a train at Euston. You could also get a taxi from Luton which would take around an hour, and cost around £65 depending on the time of day and taxi provider.

Car hire is available at these airports for visitors looking to drive themselves. Several major rental companies operate, and advance booking is recommended during peak travel times.