How to travel from Ipswich to Leicester, United Kingdom

The distance between Ipswich and Leicester is around 197km (123 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 10m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Ipswich to Leicester by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out LeicesterIpswich if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Leicester.

  • Duration2h 30m
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    £70($83)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Stansted Airport London and then to Leicester St Margarets Bus Station.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £13($15)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Leicester.

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Distance197km (123 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ipswich and Leicester

There are several options for getting from Ipswich to Leicester by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £13 ($15) and will take around 4h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £35 ($41).

The distance between Ipswich and Leicester is around 197km (123 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 168km (104 miles)

It takes around 2h 30m to get from Ipswich and Leicester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ipswich to Leicester is to drive which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx £35 ($41).

The cheapest way to travel between Ipswich and Leicester, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £13 ($15) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Ipswich and Leicester. It typically takes around 2h 30m and departs every 30 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Ipswich to Leicester. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Liverpool Street, King's Cross St. Pancras station and London St Pancras International. These services run every 30 mins and will take a minimum of 2h 30m.

Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railways and CrossCountry run train services between Ipswich and Leicester. Trains depart every 30 mins and will take around 2h 30m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ipswich and Leicester. It typically takes around 4h 25m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ipswich to Leicester. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Stansted Airport London. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 4h 25m.

National Express run regular bus services between Ipswich and Leicester. Buses run every 20 mins and take around 4h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ipswich to Leicester. We recommend that you take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Leicester. instead which will take 2h 30m.

The closest major airport to Leicester is East Midlands Airport (EMA) (EMA) which is approximately 25km (15 miles) from Leicester. Birmingham Airport (BHX) (BHX) and Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) (DSA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Ipswich and Leicester. The distance is around 197km (123 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ipswich to Leicester is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 30m and will usually cost around £70 ($83).

How do I get from Ipswich to Leicester

Compare travel optionsbetween Ipswich and Leicester

Transport options from Ipswich to Leicester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2h 30m
£70($83)
every 30 mins272km (169 miles)
Train via Cambridge3h 5m
£84($100)
hourly245km (152 miles)
Bus
4h 25m
£13($15)
every 20 mins238km (148 miles)
Drive
2h 10m
£35($41)
on demand197km (123 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ipswich and Leicester

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Leicester

The following major airports near Leicester offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

EMA
East Midlands Airport (EMA)
International Airport
Distance
25km (15 miles) from Leicester
BHX
Birmingham Airport (BHX)
International Airport
Distance
45km (28 miles) from Leicester
DSA
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA)
International Airport
Distance
94km (59 miles) from Leicester