Glasgow to Leeds train with Northern Rail

Trains from Glasgow to Leeds

The trains from Glasgow to Leeds take 4h 30min on average for the journey. There are about 45 trains per day on weekdays, and the frequency decreases to about 30 per day at the weekend. The distance covered by trains from Glasgow to Leeds is 179 miles (288 km). There are no direct trains on this route.

Glasgow to Leeds Train Time: Daily Departures

There are 3-4 trains per hour every day from Glasgow to Leeds except for the early and late hours, when there may be just one or two trains per hour. On average, there are about 300 trains in a week. The first train runs between 04:00 and 05:00 from Monday to Friday, and the last train runs between 19:00 and 20:00; this also operates on Sundays. On Saturdays, the first train of the day is close to 06:00, whilst on Sunday it is at about 08:00. Find accurate departure times of trains from Glasgow to Leeds here.

How long is the journey by train from Glasgow to Leeds?

It takes close to 4h 30min on average to arrive in Leeds from Glasgow by train. The fastest train will get you there in 3h 57min, and it can take as long as 5h 20min on the slowest train with two transfers. Depending on the train provider, there are one or two transfers en route to Glasgow.

George square in Glasgow. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Glasgow to Leeds?

Departure train station: Trains depart from either Glasgow Central Station or Queen Street Station, both in the city centre. For the former, you can find bus stops close by on Hope Street and Union Street and taxi ranks right outside the station at the Gordon Street entrance. Besides offering many shopping and eating options, it has accessible showers and toilets for the disabled, trolleys on every platform, photo booths and Left Luggage facilities. Glasgow Queen Street station is located next to Glasgow’s major civic square and is connected to the Glasgow subway network. There are free shuttles between the two main train stations. Queen Street Station has toilets, baby changing rooms, public telephones, accessible areas for the disabled and free Wi-Fi. Taxis are available right outside.

Arrival train station: Trains from Glasgow arrive at Leeds Train Station, which is no more than a 5-min walk from the city centre and the main shopping area. You can catch a bus or taxi from outside the station for your onward journey. There is step-free access to the station, and you will find various amenities, including left luggage and bike storage facilities, public telephones, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi.

Which train companies travel from Glasgow to Leeds?

The train companies operating from Glasgow to Leeds are Avanti West Coast, Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, and TransPennine Express, with transfer trains operated by Cross Country and Northern Rail. When the last train of the day departs at around 19:00, it is usually operated by TransPennine Express and is one of the slowest options. There is one transfer at Manchester Piccadilly. The first train of the day, between 04:30 and 08:00 depending on the day of travel, is usually run by either Scotrail or by Avanti West Coast. There is always one transfer, and this train is usually faster than others. Trains with two transfers between Glasgow and Leeds are mostly operated by Scotrail.

Night trains Glasgow

The last train of the day from Glasgow to Leeds is around 19:00-19:30, depending on the day of the week. It’s a night train that takes the longest, about 5 hours, to reach its destination. You will have to transfer at Manchester Piccadilly or at Edinburgh Waverly, depending on whether you are travelling with TransPennine Express or Scotrail. This could also be the cheapest train of the day on this route.

Avanti West Coast trains from Glasgow to Leeds

The Avanti West Coast trains from Glasgow Central Station to Leeds Train Station run once every 2-4h on weekdays, with the last service by this company at around 17:30. The trains usually have one transfer, but at least one train per day has two transfers. On Sundays, there are two transfers on all journeys. Avanti West Coast offers the cheapest ticket and fastest train on this route during the week and the most expensive at the weekend.

TransPennine Express trains from Glasgow to Leeds

The TransPennine Express trains operate out of Glasgow Central Station. There are 1-2 trains per hour in the morning and one train per hour after 17:00. Trains take on average 5h from Glasgow to Leeds and always require one transfer, making it one of the slowest options on this route.

Scotrail trains from Glasgow to Leeds

Scotrail trains run at least once or twice per hour during the week. They have one or two transfers and take about 4h 30 minutes to reach Leeds from Glasgow. When the last train of the day is after 19:30, it is run by Scotrail. It is usually the cheapest and slowest train of the day. On Sundays, Scotrail trains tend to offer the cheapest fares. Journeys require two transfers and can take anywhere from 5-7h to reach Leeds.

London North Eastern Railway trains from Glasgow to Leeds

London North Eastern Railway trains depart for Leeds from Glasgow Queen Street Station. Their travel partner is Scotrail, and all trains have one or two transfers. Trains run frequently at about 1-2 trains per hour, every day, taking an average of around 4h 30min to reach Leeds.

Trains from Glasgow to Leeds: Sustainability travel

Being the greenest and cleanest mode of public transport, trains from Glasgow to Leeds play a major role in sustainable travel. This route is very well served with daily, frequent trains operated by at least five providers. As trains don’t need to be replaced frequently, fewer virgin resources are needed, and some trains are built with recycled materials. In addition, the electric trains operating on this route are fast and not very loud, therefore reducing noise pollution and saving time.

Train Glasgow to Leeds: Services on Board

Avanti West Coast, Scotrail, TransPennine Express and London North Eastern Railway are some of the operators of trains from Glasgow to Leeds. You can bring a bicycle on trains by any of these providers, but you must make a reservation as bike spaces are limited. Three pieces of luggage are allowed on board these trains: a large suitcase, a small carry-on bag, and a handbag. Two pets are allowed with you for free. For passengers with disabilities, assistance is available through the Passenger Assist program. There are designated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers on board, and free Wi-Fi is also available when you travel by train from Glasgow to Leeds. All listed providers have Standard- as well as First-Class seating areas, with power plugs available mostly in First-Class.

How to find cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Leeds?

You can find cheap tickets for trains from Glasgow to Leeds if you are flexible with your dates and time. Some train providers like TransPennine Express offer cheaper fares but also take longer to reach Leeds. Late evening trains are also cheaper by comparison. There is a greater possibility of finding cheaper tickets for this journey if you can book in advance. Trains with 2 transfers tend to be cheaper than those with just one transfer.

woman on a train to Leeds. Source: Shutterstock

To Leeds by train - travel tips

Leeds is famous for its Royal Armouries Museum, where you can experience sword demonstrations and view oriental and medieval weaponry displays. Temple Newsam Park is a great place to visit if you are travelling with children. It has a large children’s play area, a rare breeds farm, and you can take walks in the wooded area. The Harewood House is a Georgian-era site known for its splendid architecture. You can take the chain ferry and explore the walled garden or enjoy the sight of flamingos, penguins, and parrots. For a mix of history and religion, visit Kirkstall Abbey to get a glimpse of early Christian architecture. To find out more about Leeds, do visit the Omio online travel magazine The Window Seat.

• Roundhay Park is great for a family outing with its sprawling lawns and proximity to restaurants.
• Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of Europe’s largest markets displaying cultural diversity and character.
• Leeds Beer Tours allow you to explore the rich beer heritage of Leeds.
• Leeds Waterfront has some great restaurants and bars.
• Leeds City Museum with its six galleries has something for everyone.