Leeds to Leicester bus with Megabus

Coach from Leeds to Leicester

​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.​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How long is the journey by bus from Leeds to Leicester?​

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. 

​How many coaches are there from Leeds to Leicester?

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.

What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Leeds to Leicester?

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.

 Which coach providers travel from Leeds to Leicester?

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 bus from Leeds to Leicester

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.

Leeds to Leicester Coach: Services on Board

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.​