- Must visit
Museum of Making
Interactive museum in a restored mill exploring making, industry and design through hands-on galleries and working displays.
Cheapest price
£4
Average price
£7
Fastest journey
50 m
Average duration
1 h 1 m
Buses per day
33
Distance
39 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Leicester to Derby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Derby will cost around £7 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £4.
Of the 33 buses that leave Leicester for Derby every day 33 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 39 km distance in an average of 1 h 1 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 50 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 5 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
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NX440
NX440
NX440
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Derby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 26m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, and a train costs an average of £3.
Distance: 39 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£6 Average Price Cheapest | £11 Average Price |
1h 44m Average total duration 1h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 56m Average total duration Fastest 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg 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 Leicester to Derby coaches for today, Thursday 13 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX230 | 15:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h35 | 17:20 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 17:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h40 | 18:50 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 17:15 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h30 | 18:45 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX440 | 17:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h10 | 18:50 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 17:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h05 | 18:45 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 18:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 20:10 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:10 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 2h00 | 21:10 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 19:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h35 | 21:10 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX440 | 20:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h05 | 21:50 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 21:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 22:30 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:10 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h45 | 22:55 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h25 | 22:55 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:55 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h45 | 23:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 22:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 23:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h25 | 23:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX440 | 22:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h00 | 23:35 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:35 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h30 | 0:05 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:55 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h45 | 0:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h05 | 0:05 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 23:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 0:35 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h25 | 0:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 14 August | |||||
NX230 | 0:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 2:10 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 1:00 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1h40 | 2:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 1:20 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h20 | 2:40 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 2:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h20 | 3:20 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 2:40 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 0h50 | 3:30 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 | 3:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h40 | 5:25 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX196 | 5:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h30 | 7:15 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX196 | 7:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1h40 | 9:20 Derby, Bus Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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 Leicester to Derby run on average 19 times per day, taking around 1h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £4 but you can travel from only £3 by train.
There are 19 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:03, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 39 km distance in 55m.
Distance 39 km |
Average bus duration 1h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £4 |
Buses per day 19 |
Direct buses 19 |
Fastest bus 55m |
First bus 0:03 |
Last bus 23:57 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Derby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Derby trip today.
Interactive museum in a restored mill exploring making, industry and design through hands-on galleries and working displays.
City museum and art gallery with collections on local history, archaeology, natural history and paintings by Joseph Wright.
Independent contemporary art gallery in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, showing changing exhibitions by regional and national artists.
Historic shopping and cultural quarter with independent businesses, heritage buildings and easy access to key city sights.
Revitalised city-centre square with water features, seating and event space, ideal for a pause between nearby attractions.
Large landscaped park with lakes, open lawns and riverside paths, popular for walks, picnics and seasonal events.
A soft white bread roll unique to Derby, often filled with bacon, cheese or salad. It is a local bakery staple with a name strongly tied to the city.
A blue veined cow’s milk cheese traditionally made in Derbyshire. It is prized for its rich, mellow flavour and long connection to the county’s cheesemaking.
A crumbly, buttery oat biscuit from Derbyshire, traditionally baked on a griddle. It is a historic local bake often served with cheese or butter.
Elegant modern British dining in a refined setting, known for carefully prepared tasting and seasonal menus in the city centre.
Well known Derby ale house and eatery serving British pub dishes, cobs and local beers in a characterful historic building.
Smart yet relaxed restaurant serving Italian inspired dishes, steaks and seafood. Popular for polished service and central location.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is often included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is usual for good service. Round up or add £1-2 for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Derby Bus Station -> Derby City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester to Derby 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 Derby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Leicester to Derby buses use the Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station to Derby, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Leicester and Derby bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need