- 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.
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Croydon to Leicester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 19 Sept
Cheapest price on 19 Sept
£43
Average ticket price on 19 Sept
£82
Fastest journey on 19 Sept
2 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 19 Sept
3 h 4 m
Trains on 19 Sept
11
Distance
156 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Croydon to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Croydon to Leicester will cost around £82 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £43.
Fast trains
To travel from Croydon to Leicester you need to make at least 2 changes.
W70944 · EM726300+
C026015:403h05East Croydon (ECR)8:45Leicester station (LEI)£431One-way2 changes- W70851 · EM726100+C02581+
L119545:463h37West Croydon (WCY)9:23Leicester station (LEI)£431One-way3 changes 
W33711+
Tube from London Bridge to London Euston+
XC029500+L119545:463h24West Croydon (WCY)9:10Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way4 changes- W70941 · EM712000+W455144:403h06East Croydon (ECR)7:46Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way2 changes
- C21551 · EM726400+C026065:103h04East Croydon (ECR)8:14Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way2 changes
- W33743+
G88366+Tube from London Victoria to London Euston+XC0237008:152h55East Croydon (ECR)11:10Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way3 changes - C21551 · EM726400+C026065:103h04East Croydon (ECR)8:14Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way2 changes
- W70944 · EM726300+C026015:403h05East Croydon (ECR)8:45Leicester station (LEI)£431One-way2 changes
- W70941 · EM712000+W455144:403h06East Croydon (ECR)7:46Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way2 changes
- C21563 · EM725200+W456538:453h10East Croydon (ECR)11:55Leicester station (LEI)£911One-way2 changes
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Croydon to Leicester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Croydon to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 15m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, while a train costs an average of £73.
Distance: 156 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£73 Average Price | £14 Average Price Cheapest | £31 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 5m Average total duration 2h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Croydon to Leicester is a coach with an average price of £14.
This is compared to other travel options from Croydon to Leicester:
A coach is £59 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Croydon to Leicester costing on average £73.
The fastest way to travel from Croydon to Leicester is by train with an average journey time of 1h 45m.
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 35m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Croydon and Leicester including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.
You'll arrive about 1h 15m sooner (1h 45m by train vs 3h 0m by car). Tickets start at around £73 compared to roughly £31 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Croydon to Leicester train times
The table below shows live departures for Croydon to Leicester trains for tomorrow, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W45514+W70941 · EM712000 | 4:40 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h06 | 7:46 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
| C02606+C21551 · EM726400 | 5:10 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h04 | 8:14 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
| C02601+W70944 · EM726300 | 5:40 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h05 | 8:45 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
| Tube from London Bridge to London Euston+W33711+C02581+XC029500 | 5:46 West Croydon (WCY) | 3h24 | 9:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 4 changes | |
| L11954+C02581+W70851 · EM726100 | 5:46 West Croydon (WCY) | 3h37 | 9:23 Leicester station (LEI) | 3 changes | |
| C02592+C21553 · EM725400 | 8:03 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h32 | 11:35 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
| G88366+Tube from London Victoria to London Euston+W33743+XC023700 | 8:15 East Croydon (ECR) | 2h55 | 11:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 3 changes | |
| W45652+XC032400 | 8:15 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h35 | 11:50 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
| W45653+C21563 · EM725200 | 8:45 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h10 | 11:55 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
C82793+Tube from London Victoria to London Euston+ C17994+XC003500 | 8:49 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h17 | 12:06 Leicester station (LEI) | 3 changes | |
| C02610+W70864 · EM725000 | On time 9:03 East Croydon (ECR) | 3h32 | 12:35 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Croydon to Leicester by train or coach
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.
Sat
19 Sept
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
24 Sept
Fri
25 Sept
25 Sept
Why should you book Croydon to Leicester trains with Omio?
East Midlands Railway as well as Thameslink offer trains services from Croydon to Leicester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Croydon to Leicester.
Why book with Omio vs East Midlands Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for East Midlands Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Thameslink to find the best option for your trip from Croydon to Leicester.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare East Midlands Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Croydon to Leicester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Rome2rio?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Thameslink to find the best option for your trip from Croydon to Leicester.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Croydon to Leicester.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Croydon to Leicester?
The best time to book your train from Croydon to Leicester is 7 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Croydon to Leicester route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Croydon to Leicester per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Croydon to Leicester.
Trains
from £43Journey information
Overview: Train from Croydon to Leicester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Croydon to Leicester run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £43 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:09, the last at 22:52. The fastest train covers the 156 km distance in 1h 50m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £7
Distance 156 km |
Average train duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price £43 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 1h 50m |
First train 4:09 |
Last train 22:52 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £7
Train companies: East Midlands Railway, Thameslink from Croydon to Leicester trainsEast Midlands Railway, Thameslink trains will get you between Croydon and Leicester from £7. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Railway
About
East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average East Midlands Railway Duration
1h 50m
Cheapest East Midlands Railway Price
£43
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)
Quiet zone
Thameslink
About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Thameslink Duration
1h 43m
Cheapest Thameslink Price
£58
Thameslink frequency
25 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone
Complete guide to Leicester
Things to do in Leicester
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
- Recommended
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.
- Recommended
Jewry Wall Museum
Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.
- Recommended
St Martin's Square
Lively regenerated waterside with bars, boats, public art and an easy walk linking the city centre to the canal heritage area.
- Recommended
Victoria Park
Large central park with formal gardens, broad lawns and space to relax near the university and city centre.
- Recommended
Abbey Park
Attractive green space around abbey ruins and the River Soar, good for walks, wildlife and traces of medieval Leicester.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Red Leicester Cheese
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
Melton Mowbray pork pie is a hand-raised pie from Leicestershire with seasoned chopped pork and a distinctive free-form crust, traditionally eaten cold.
- Gluten-free
Stilton
Stilton is a famous English blue cheese historically traded through Leicestershire, prized for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour on local cheeseboards.
Laguna
Popular Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile known for rich curries, tandoori dishes and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Knight & Garter
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar in St Martins Square, known for seasonal plates, cocktails and a polished but relaxed dining room.
Shivalli
Long-running vegetarian Gujarati restaurant serving thalis, snacks and sweets in a simple, busy setting loved by local families.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for a coffee.
Tipping culture
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.
Leicester Buses
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2
- Day pass
- £4.80
To the city centre
Leicester Railway Station -> Clock Tower, Leicester
- Distance
- 0.8 km
- Travel time
- 10 min
- Contactless tap-on and tap-off with fare capping is being introduced across Leicester buses; check the operator or Leicester Buses site for current rollout details.
- Leicester Buses Flexi tickets are valid across participating operators in the Flexi area and can be bought in participating operators’ ticketing apps.
FAQs: Croydon to Leicester train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Croydon to Leicester by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Croydon to Leicester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £43, while the average price tends to be around £73.
The train journey from Croydon to Leicester covers a distance of 156 km and takes approximately 1h 50m. Trains run 5 per day.
The train distance from Croydon to Leicester is 156 km.
The first train from Croydon to Leicester leaves at 4:09.
The last train from Croydon to Leicester departs at 22:52.
Trains from Croydon to Leicester run approximately 5 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Croydon to Leicester.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Croydon to Leicester.
To get from Croydon to Leicester, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Croydon to Leicester.
The train station in Croydon that goes to Leicester is East Croydon (ECR), and it arrives at Leicester station (LEI).
The cheapest way to get from Croydon to Leicester is by coach, costing approximately £7.
Booking trains from Croydon to Leicester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Croydon to Leicester offers a blend of urban and rural scenery, with views of the rolling English countryside interspersed with glimpses of historic towns and modern cityscapes. While not traditionally known for being particularly scenic, it provides passengers with a varied and pleasant view of the Midlands landscape.
A day trip from Croydon to Leicester is feasible with a journey duration of 1h 50m and a distance of 156 km. There are 4 trains per day available for this route.
Two to three days is typically enough to explore Leicester's key attractions, including the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester Cathedral, and the National Space Centre, while also enjoying the local culture and dining.
Yes, you can take the train from Croydon to Leicester.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Croydon and Leicester
Most Croydon to Leicester trains use the East Croydon to Leicester station pair. Use this guide to compare Croydon and Leicester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Departure train stations in Croydon
Arrival train stations in Leicester
Which Croydon station do trains to Leicester leave from?
Trains from Croydon to Leicester leave from East Croydon. The station is 1 km from Croydon city centre at East Croydon station, Station Approach, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 1LF.
East CroydonEast Croydon station, Station Approach, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 1LF
City-centre transport
Getting to East Croydon from Croydon city centre
East Croydon is 1 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:
BusN68 · 11m · £2 · every ~2 min
East Croydon train station facilities and services
East Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at East Croydon.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at East Croydon. ATMs are available at East Croydon.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at East Croydon.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at East Croydon: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at East Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at East Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms. Lifts to overbridge from all platforms and side entrance. Long steep ramps to platforms from main entrance. (over 1:10 gradient). Assistance Meeting Point is the Information Point on station concourse, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
West CroydonWest Croydon station, London Road, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 2TA
City-centre transport
Getting to West Croydon from Croydon city centre
Bus289 · 4m · £2 · every ~20 min
450 · 5m · £2 · every ~22 min
157 · 7m · £2 · every ~20 min
West Croydon train station facilities and services
West Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at West Croydon.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at West Croydon.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at West Croydon.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at West Croydon: Parking.
Bike and car services
Available at West Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at West Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: B2 station category. Step free access available for platform 1 and 3 using the London Road car park entrance . This side gate is kept locked but has help buttons to request use. Step-free access via separate entrance to platform 4 (to Sutton), Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Which Leicester station do trains from Croydon arrive at?
Trains from Croydon to Leicester most often arrive at Leicester. Some services arrive at South Wigston, so check your ticket before travel to confirm your Leicester arrival station.
LeicesterLeicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB+44 8457125678
City-centre transport
Getting to Leicester from Leicester city centre
BusX7 · 4m · £2 · every ~3 min
16 · 7m · every ~6 min
Hop · 11m · £2 · every ~14 min
Leicester train station facilities and services
Leicester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Leicester.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester. ATMs are available at Leicester.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Leicester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Leicester: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Leicester: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the main entrance and lifts to all platforms. Customers with wheelchairs who require assistance on graduated slopes should press the ticket gate 'assistance' button located at the bottom of the stairs near the self service ticket machines. To ensure availability of staff to assist, it is imperative that customers book assistance in advance. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms and at the bottom of all staircases, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Most popular train connections from Croydon
More options for your journey from Croydon to Leicester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Leicester and Croydon
Most popular train connections to Leicester
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