- Must visit
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Cheapest price
£16
Average price
£21
Fastest journey
2 h 40 m
Average duration
3 h 4 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
132 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Leeds to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leeds to Leicester will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £16.
Of the 5 buses that leave Leeds for Leicester every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 132 km distance in an average of 3 h 4 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 3 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
NX195
NX180
NX240
NX240
NX183
NX183
NX180
NX240
NX195
NX240Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leeds to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, and a train costs an average of £16.
Distance: 132 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£12 Average Price Cheapest | £32 Average Price |
3h 4m Average total duration 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Leeds to Leicester coaches for today, Sunday 23 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX240 | 0:20 Leeds, Coach Station | 3h00 | 3:20 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 23 August | |||||
![]() | 23:55 Leeds | 3h20 | 3:15 Leicester | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 24 August | |||||
NX180 | 2:30 Leeds, Coach Station | 2h50 | 5:20 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX240 | 6:15 Leeds, Coach Station | 3h40 | 9:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX183 | 17:30 Leeds, Coach Station | 2h40 | 20:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX195 | 18:00 Leeds, Coach Station | 3h10 | 21:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Leeds to Leicester run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 11 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 132 km distance in 1h 55m.
Distance 132 km |
Average bus duration 2h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 11 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 1h 55m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.
Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.
Lively regenerated waterside with bars, boats, public art and an easy walk linking the city centre to the canal heritage area.
Large central park with formal gardens, broad lawns and space to relax near the university and city centre.
Attractive green space around abbey ruins and the River Soar, good for walks, wildlife and traces of medieval Leicester.
Red Leicester is a crumbly orange cow’s milk cheese from Leicestershire, long linked to the county and traditionally coloured with annatto for its rich hue.
Melton Mowbray pork pie is a hand-raised pie from Leicestershire with seasoned chopped pork and a distinctive free-form crust, traditionally eaten cold.
Stilton is a famous English blue cheese historically traded through Leicestershire, prized for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour on local cheeseboards.
Popular Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile known for rich curries, tandoori dishes and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar in St Martins Square, known for seasonal plates, cocktails and a polished but relaxed dining room.
Long-running vegetarian Gujarati restaurant serving thalis, snacks and sweets in a simple, busy setting loved by local families.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
It's a journey of 96 miles from the West Yorkshire city of Leeds to the Midlands town of Leicester. Multiple buses between these two important northern cities run seven days a week from conveniently located stations, taking around 3 hours on average. There are options throughout the day, but about half of buses between Leeds and Leicester set off before breakfast, getting you to the town centre in time for a full day of activities.
All buses are direct, but journey times can vary substantially. The bus from Leeds to Leicester can take as little as 2 hours 40 minutes or close to 4 hours depending on the service. Roughly half of journeys take a bit more or a bit less than 3 hours.
Passengers have a choice of 12 buses between Leeds and Leicester every day. Although it's possible to travel at most times of day, this is very much a service for early risers. Most buses leave before noon, with 5 departures between midnight and 8:00 a.m., and 2 further departures by the end of lunch time. Buses become more scarce in the afternoon and evening, with the last setting off around 10:00 p.m. The same picture repeats itself on Saturdays and Sundays, providing a full weekend service too.
Departure bus station: All buses depart from Leeds Coach Station. This is on Dyer Road to the east of Kir kgate Market, in the heart of the city centre, with Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet just opposite on the other side of Duke Street. The coach area connects straight into Leeds bus station for local transport connections, and its roster of amenities includes a coffee shop, diner, newsagents and charging points for tablets, phones and other devices.
Arrival bus station: St Margaret's Bus Station has a cafeteria, newsagents, eatery and payphones. It's on Gravel street, with quick access to the Ring Road if you're travelling on by car. If you're in town for a fun day out, a short stroll south will take to the Haymarket Shopping Centre and the rest of the town centre, with its theatres, clubs and shops.
Currently, there's only provider of buses between Leeds and Leicester, National Express. Thankfully it makes sure this important route is well covered with a range of overnight, early morning and day time services every day of the week. All services are direct, although travel times can vary by as much as an hour depending on the time of day.
National Express offers a regular roster of buses throughout the week, including at the weekends. The operator's main focus is on early morning services, but there's a sprinkling of afternoon and evening options too. Some buses are quicker than others, so it's worth checking your options carefully if you're less concerned about when you arrive and keener to minimise the time you have to spend in a bus seat.
Passengers can choose between standard fare, which is exchangeable but non-refundable, or a fully flexible ticket which you can both exchange and return for a full refund. You can take on board one piece of "soft luggage", meaning a bag without a hard shell or wheels. Maximum measurements for this are 45 x 35 x 20 cm. The coach's hold can also store two medium cases weighing 20 kg, maximum size 70 x 45 x 30 cm. (For travelling cases any larger than this, you can only take one.) Folding bikes and prams are also welcome. The only animals permitted on board are guide dogs. There should be space and lifts for wheelchair-bound users on all National Express coaches but to avoid any delay in boarding, you're recommended to telephone in advance so the staff can make all the necessary preparations.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leeds to Leicester by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Leeds to Leicester buses use the Leeds, Coach Station to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda). Use this guide to compare Leeds and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Leeds, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafe and snack kiosks available.
Free Wi-Fi available in the waiting area. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Leeds, Coach Station.
Available at Leeds, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leeds, Coach Station: Wheelchair accessible with assistive services.
Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Nearby cafes and eateries available
Wi-Fi is available at Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre). ATMs are available at Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre).
Ticket office support is available at Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre).
Available at Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre): Wheelchair accessible entrances and facilities.
Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and restaurants available at the Playhouse.
Wi-Fi is available at Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse. ATMs are available at Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse.
Ticket office support is available at Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse.
Available at Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leeds, Yorkshire Playhouse: Wheelchair accessible routes available.
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