Epsom Derby, UK 2026: a complete travel guide from the UAE

Epsom Derby 2026 will take place on June 5–6 at Epsom Downs Racecourse. It is the main event of British horse racing, drawing over 130,000 spectators. The Epsom Derby 2026, known simply as ‘The Derby’ in horse racing circles, will be held at the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, near London. The event will take place as part of The Betfred Derby Festival on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The metaphor ‘the Сrown of the British May’ is no coincidence. The Epsom Derby traditionally takes place on the first Saturday of June, yet in the British ‘Social Season’ calendar, this period is regarded as the peak of May. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the event, along with some useful tips and tricks.

How to get from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to London

For travellers from the UAE, there are several flight options.

Flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi are available with Emirates and Etihad Airways to major London airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick.

Additionally, from March 29, 2026, Air Arabia is launching new budget direct flights twice daily from Sharjah to London Gatwick Airport. The same airline also offers flights from Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.
National Gulf Air has resumed flights to London from Dubai via Bahrain, and Turkish Airlines flies to London via Istanbul.

From Gatwick, you can reach the racecourse by train with connections in about 1–1.5 hours. If you arrive at other airports — for example, London City Airport — the journey by public transport takes approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes, and from Хитроу about 2 hours and 30 minutes by train and tube.

How to get to Epsom from London

The racecourse is 24 km from central London. Here are the best options.

By train

We highly recommend this option. But remember this kack: Don’t go to Epsom station. You need Tattenham Corner station – it is directly at the racecourse entrance.

• Departure: London Victoria
• Travel time: 35–45 minutes
• Cost: approx. £15 return

By car in a group

• Satnav: KT18 5LQ
• Parking: £15–40 (free zones promised for 2026 with pre-registration – do not skip this)

Shuttle from Epsom station

If you do end up at Epsom station, use shuttle to racecourse: £3 one way, £5 return, travel time: 10 minutes.

Places to stay

Within walking distance of the racecourse:

• Holiday Inn Express London Epsom Downs (< 1 mile)
• Premier Inn Epsom Town Centre (1.8 miles)

Best for tourists: a hotel near London Victoria station – take the direct train in the morning and return to central London in the evening.

Premium options:

• Beaverbrook (Leatherhead, 30–40 min by car)
• Woodlands Park Hotel (7.1 miles)

Tickets and zones

Epsom Derby 2026 runs June 5–6. The main race is on Saturday, June 6 at 4:00 PM.

Good to know: Free entry for children under 18 in all general admission areas.

Key сhanges for a UK visa from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2026

If you are applying for a UK visa from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2026, note these three major updates:

• Switch to eVisas (from February 25, 2026) – physical visa vignettes in your passport are no longer issued. You receive an electronic status.
• Passport not retained – you can travel to other countries while your UK visa application is being processed.
• No ETA for existing visa holders – if you already have a valid UK work, student, or family visa, you do not need an ETA.

Why apply for a UK visa through our service?

According to our statistics, we save our clients up to 30 hours of time on completing the application form, preparing documents and finding an available appointment slot. If you think about it, this is almost one full working week of your time. This is especially important if you need a visa quickly, if you have had previous refusals, if you applied by yourself or through another agency before, or if you plan to travel with a large family and bring personal staff, such as nannies, chefs or assistants.

We know the UAE market very well. We understand the specific details of applying through local visa centres and what visa officers usually pay attention to when reviewing documents.

We also know how to prepare a strong explanation letter if your financial transfers are not fully straightforward, or if family members have passports from different countries.

According to our internal statistics, we increase the chance of approval by up to 45% compared with applying independently.

So do not leave your visa application until the last moment. Contact us today, and our UK visa expert will carefully review your case and prepare the best visa application strategy for you.