What is the nearest train station to the Norfolk Coast Path?

King’s Lynn is the main rail gateway for the western start of the route, with connections to London King’s Cross.

Can you access the route by train along the coast?

Yes. Sheringham, Cromer, and Great Yarmouth all provide rail access to the route.

Which train companies serve the Norfolk Coast Path?

Great Northern operates services to King’s Lynn, while Greater Anglia connects Norwich with Sheringham, Cromer, and Great Yarmouth.

Can you walk the route without a car?

Yes. The Norfolk Coast Path works well as a car-free route, with rail and local transport supporting access along the coastline.

Is it possible to walk one way and return by train?

Yes. Walkers can start at one end of the route and return from another using rail connections along the coast.

Getting to the Norfolk Coast Path by Train

Access to the Norfolk Coast Path is straightforward by rail, with connections linking the coastline to London and the wider network. As a self-guided walking route, the trail works naturally with public transport, allowing walkers to arrive at one end of the route and leave from another without retracing their steps.

Main Rail Gateway: King’s Lynn

The primary rail access point for the western start of the route is
King’s Lynn railway station.

King’s Lynn provides direct services to London King’s Cross via
Great Northern, making it the main gateway for walkers starting the Norfolk Coast Path at Hunstanton.

From King’s Lynn, the coast is reached by bus or taxi, with regular connections to Hunstanton.

Rail Access Along the Route

Although much of the Norfolk Coast Path follows a rural coastline, several towns along the route provide direct or nearby rail access.

Sheringham

Sheringham is one of the most accessible points on the route, with a railway station in the town.

It is served by
Greater Anglia, with services connecting to Norwich and onward routes across the network.

Cromer

Cromer also has a railway station, located within walking distance of the coast.

Like Sheringham, it is served by
Greater Anglia, providing access via Norwich.

Great Yarmouth

At the eastern end of the route, Great Yarmouth provides another major rail access point.

It is served by
Greater Anglia, with connections to Norwich and the wider rail network.

Arriving from London

Walkers travelling from London can reach the Norfolk Coast Path using a simple rail journey:

London King’s Cross to King’s Lynn via
Great Northern

From King’s Lynn, onward travel to Hunstanton completes the journey to the start of the route.

For those starting further along the coast, routes via Norwich connect to Sheringham, Cromer, and Great Yarmouth using
Greater Anglia services.

Planning a One-Way Journey

One of the advantages of the Norfolk Coast Path is the ability to travel in one direction without needing to return to the starting point.

A typical journey might include:

Arrival at King’s Lynn for the start at Hunstanton
Walking east along the coast
Departure from Great Yarmouth or Cromer

This structure allows the route to be walked as a continuous journey, with rail connections supporting both arrival and departure.

Combining Rail and Walking Sections

Rail access at Sheringham, Cromer, and Great Yarmouth allows the route to be divided into shorter sections.

This makes it possible to:

Walk individual stretches of the route
Start and finish at different points along the coast
Return to accommodation bases using rail connections

A Connected Coastal Route

The Norfolk Coast Path is well suited to rail-based travel, with inland connections linking coastal towns to the wider network.

Although not every part of the route has direct rail access, the combination of rail and local transport provides a practical and flexible way to reach and walk the coastline.