Cheap trains to Leeds - Tickets & train times

Trains to Leeds

Leeds is one of the biggest and busiest cities in the north, as well as in the UK as a whole. Easily reached by train from other British major towns and cities, one of the most regular lines serving Leeds is the London to Leeds routes. Millennium Square is the city's social hub. Buzzing with a variant of plays alternating attractions. Pop-up markets, street shows and exhibitions all take place here throughout the year. If you're more of a shopper, head to the Victorian Quarter. Here you'll find some of the best designer boutiques among some stunning period architecture.

Passengers who are looking for tickets to Leeds will find that the duration may differ. Even though this duration might change, the London to Leeds train station time averages from 2h 12min to 3h 18min, depending on when you choose to travel and which provider that you travel with. Travel is frequent with approximately 2 trains running per hour, meaning tickets and travel is easy to find and source.

London to Leeds train time: daily departures

There is a frequent service from London to Leeds with a total of 37 trains running per day with a selection of different providers. Whilst there is a frequently running service, London North Eastern Railway offers the most frequent service with 33 trains running per day. A passenger can also find that 1 train runs approximately every 30min between the operating hours. The first train departs at 5:55 a.m. and the last departing train is at 11:33 p.m.

How long is the journey from London to Leeds?

London to Leeds train station times can differ depending on a number of factors like when you choose to travel, if you choose a direct route or a connecting route, which connecting location you choose, and also which provider that you choose to travel with. Travelling a direct route with popular companies like London North Easter Railway takes approximately 2h 15min for a direct route. However, a train that requires changes with providers like Grand Central Trains will take approximately 2h 24min.

Leeds at Night. Source: Shutterstock

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

Departure train station: Depending on which train provider you choose to travel with on your journey to Leeds, passengers will see trains departing at either London Kings Cross or London St Pancras. This station includes facilities like ATM machines, eateries, toilet facilities, wheelchair access, and more. Whilst they’re both popular, London Kings Cross is the most popular departing station that serves trains to Leeds. Central London is just 3 miles (4.8 km) from London St Pancras and this is the same distance from London Kings Cross. The distance takes just 16min if a passenger was to walk 7min to Leicester Square Station and take the Piccadilly line and disembark at King’s Cross & St Pancras Station.

Arrival train station: The station which will serve all your trains from London to Leeds is Leeds Railway Station. This station is the main station in all of Leeds and sees the leading providers depart and arrive. Popular with companies like London North Eastern Railway, Hull Trains, Grand Central Trains, and East Midlands Trains, the railway station sees frequent service. The station is just 0.4 miles (0.6 km) from Leeds City centre. It can be reached in just 6min if passengers take either the 42 or 60 buses. A passenger will need to walk 3min and pick up the bus at Wellington J and disembark at either Civic K or Civic L. This station has some great facilities like money withdrawal, toilet facilities, wheelchair access, eateries, and more.

Which train companies travel from London to Leeds?

There is a selection of train providers that will take passengers to Leeds from London. Whilst there are 4 possible trains to choose from, they all differ in their frequency of travel and their duration. London North Eastern Railway is the most frequent train, the quickest train, and also offers direct trains, as well as travel with stopover locations. Alternatively, the train providers, Hull Trains, Grand Central Trains, and East Midlands Trains, offer 1 or 2 trains per day and are longer in duration. Despite their low frequency, these trains offer great service to passengers and feature good onboard amenities for people to enjoy.

London North Eastern Railway from London to Leeds

London North Eastern Railway is the most frequent provider that travels between London to Leeds with a total of 33 trains running per day. All trains will depart from London Kings Cross. Not only are they the most frequent trains but they’re also the quickest in duration, offering both direct trains and connecting trains. The fastest running train is 2h 12min and departs at 7:33 a.m. Passengers can enjoy stopover destinations like York and Doncaster. In addition, a passenger can make use of the environmentally-friendly, mobile ticket.

East Midlands Trains from London to Leeds

The provider, East Midlands Trains, runs just once to Leeds from London per day. This train departs at 4:32 p.m. and is due to arrive at 7:39 p.m. with a duration of 3h 7min. The trains that are offered are completely direct and don’t require any changes. These trains will depart from London St Pancras Station and arrive at Leeds Railway Station. Passengers can also enjoy a mobile ticket.

Grand Central Trains from London to Leeds

There are 2 trains running per day with Grand Central Trains and passengers can use a mobile ticket. The first train departs at 4:48 p.m. and arrives at 7:12 p.m. with a duration of 2h 24min with 1 change via York Station where you’ll have to change provider. The last departing train of the day is at 7:48 p.m. with a duration of 2h 24min and an arrival time at 10:12 p.m. This route requires you to change at Doncaster where you’ll board a train with another provider. A passenger will always depart from London Kings Cross Station.

Hull Trains from London to Leeds

The provider, Hull Trains, runs just once per day to Leeds from London. Hull Trains departs at 8:30 p.m. and arrives at 11:03 p.m. with a duration of 2h 33min. This is the duration for a train that is due to change at Selby where a train with another provider will then be boarded. A passenger can use a mobile ticket where they’ll depart from London Kings Cross Station and arrive at Leeds Railway Station.

Leeds Castle. Source: Shutterstock

To Leeds by train – travel tips

Leeds is very popular with all kinds of tourists, visitors, and residents. Some of the leading attractions are some of the things that draw people into the city. Just some of the top ones include Harewood House Trust, Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Roundhay Park, National Coal Mining Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey House Museum, Golden Acre Park, and much more.

Alternatively, there are some great restaurants and dining options within Leeds that are suitable for those travelling with families, groups, or even friends. The leading restaurants in Leeds include La Taberna Leeds, HOME, Da Baga Restaurant, Fazenda Leeds, Kuala Lumpur Café, Döner Summer, Tattu Restaurant and Bar, The Restaurant Bar & Grill Leeds, as well as many others.

Train to Leeds