How to travel from Leeds to Leicester, United Kingdom

The distance between Leeds and Leicester is around 157km (98 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 40m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Leeds 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 LeicesterLeeds if you're planning a return trip.

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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Sheffield and then to Leicester.

  • Duration1h 40m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £55($65)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Leicester St Margarets Bus Station.

  • Duration2h 35m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    £8($9)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Leicester.

  • Duration1h 40m
  • Distance157km (98 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Leeds and Leicester

There are several options for getting from Leeds to Leicester by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £8 ($9) and will take around 2h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £28 ($33).

The distance between Leeds and Leicester is around 157km (98 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 132km (82 miles)

It takes around 1h 40m to get from Leeds and Leicester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Leeds to Leicester is to drive which takes around 1h 40m and will set you back approx £28 ($33).

The cheapest way to travel between Leeds and Leicester, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £8 ($9) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Leeds and Leicester. It typically takes around 1h 40m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Leeds to Leicester. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Sheffield. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 1h 40m.

CrossCountry, Northern Rail and East Midlands Railways run train services between Leeds and Leicester. Trains depart hourly and will take around 1h 40m, 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 Leeds and Leicester. It typically takes around 2h 35m and departs twice daily.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Leeds and Leicester with no changeovers required. The bus runs twice daily and takes 2h 35m.

National Express run regular bus services between Leeds and Leicester. Buses run twice daily and take around 2h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Leeds to Leicester. We recommend that you take the train to Sheffield and then to Leicester. instead which will take 1h 40m.

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 Leeds and Leicester. The distance is around 157km (98 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Leeds to Leicester is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 40m and will usually cost around £55 ($65).

How do I get from Leeds to Leicester

Compare travel optionsbetween Leeds and Leicester

Transport options from Leeds to Leicester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 40m
£55($65)
hourly165km (103 miles)
Bus
2h 35m
£8($9)
twice daily162km (101 miles)
Drive
1h 40m
£28($33)
on demand157km (98 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Leeds 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