Situated close to Milton Keynes and Bedford, the Cranfield campus is situated in Wharley End, very close to Cranfield village, and is about 10 minutes from the M1 motorway. There is rail and road access to most major airports as well as coach and train stations. Cranfield campus also has its own airport for private executive business travel.
Please visit one of the five receptions to collect your visitor pass and parking permit, if needed.
Parking your vehicle
As parking enforcements operate on the campus, all vehicles need to be registered with the University. When you collect your visitor pass, you will be able to register your vehicle, if this hasn’t already been done for you by your host, and collect a parking permit. The reception teams will direct you to the nearest visitor parking area.
You will also be able to register your vehicle and collect a parking permit. The reception team will direct you to the nearest visitor car park to the building you are visiting.
Rail travel
From London St Pancras to Bedford - a bus service is available from Bedford to Cranfield University (see ‘Bus Travel’ below).
From London Euston to Milton Keynes Central - frequent, fast services. A bus service is available from Milton Keynes station to Cranfield University (see ‘Bus Travel’ below).
Please note that different companies refer to the University in different ways. The main bus stop is named either as 'Cranfield University' or 'Wharley End (Cranfield), Cranfield University main gate'.
National Express - runs coaches from several major UK airports to nearby towns.
If you have any comments regarding the above bus services please contact the relevant company direct via their website.
Air travel
London Luton
Our nearest public airport is London Luton which is situated just off Junction 10 of the M1.
From here you can catch a train direct from Luton Airport Parkway station to Bedford - for further information, please see the National Rail website. On arriving at Bedford, you can take a bus or taxi to the campus (see 'Bus travel' and 'Taxi').
Alternatively, there are bus services to Milton Keynes (see 'Bus travel'), where you can change for a bus to Cranfield campus. Alternatively, a quicker option is to take a taxi (see 'Taxi').
Other surrounding airports
There are good airport links from several airports around Cranfield. These include:
There is information about travel from these airports to Milton Keynes and Bedford on their respective websites.
Cranfield Airport
Private, executive air travel is also an option to Cranfield campus via
Cranfield Airport.
Travel by coach from airports
National Express runs coaches from several major UK airports to nearby towns.
Taxi
There are several taxi companies operating from Milton Keynes, Bedford or locally at Cranfield. The taxi journey from Milton Keynes or Bedford takes about 20 minutes to Cranfield.
Cycling
Cycle parking and storage
Cycle hoops and shelters are available throughout Cranfield campus. Bicycle lockers are also available near the sports hall which provide extra security.
All cyclists who are parking their bicycle on campus need to register with security.
Cycle paths and routes
We now have two cycle paths which connect both the north and south side of the campus to Cranfield Village. The north cycle path route bypasses Crawley Road, whilst the south cycle path connects the campus from near Martell House to the village. Using the routes, it is an approximately 10-15 minute cycle ride or a 20-30 minute walk from the campus to the village.
Did you know the campus links to National Cycle Route No.51? Sustrans hold a library of national cycle routes around the UK. Visit the Sustrans website for more information.
Bicycle sales and repairs
Cycle Saviours (based in Milton Keynes) will visit campus on a regular basis to carry out repair works and sales of bicycles. It is recommended you contact the charity before you visit. Keep an eye out on the intranet for announcements relating to these events.
You will also find a bicycle repair stand in the CSA recycling centre for all basic repair needs (find this behind the CSA, opposite the Vincent building).
Car sharing
We have allocated car sharing spaces on campus located in central locations. Car share parking permits are available to staff and students who share a car journey onto campus.