- Recommended
Pontefract Museum
Town museum beside the castle with displays on local history, everyday life and Pontefract’s past. A practical first stop for understanding the area.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£6
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£6
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
30 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
32 m
Trains on 18 Sept
5
Distance
19 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leeds to Pontefract is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leeds to Pontefract will cost around £6 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £6.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 trains from Leeds to Pontefract, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 19 km distance in an average of 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 30 m .
The slowest trains will take 34 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leeds to Pontefract among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 3m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, while a train costs an average of £6.
Distance: 19 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£6 Average Price | £4 Average Price Cheapest | £5 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 3m Average total duration Fastest 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 33m Average total duration 1h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Leeds to Pontefract:
A coach is £2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leeds to Pontefract costing on average £6.
Other travel options to Pontefract take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 3m.
Tickets start at around £6 compared to roughly £5 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-0.91. The journey takes 33m versus 28m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Leeds to Pontefract trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G89916 | On time 8:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 9:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86112 | On time 8:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 9:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89921 | On time 9:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 10:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86115 | On time 9:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 10:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89927 | On time 10:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 11:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86126 | On time 10:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 11:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89935 | On time 11:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 12:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86137 | On time 11:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 12:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89943 | On time 12:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 13:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86146 | On time 12:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 13:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89950 | On time 13:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 14:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86152 | On time 13:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 14:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89957 | On time 14:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 15:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86158 | On time 14:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 15:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89965 | On time 15:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 16:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86160 | On time 15:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 16:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89975 | On time 16:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 17:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86164 | On time 16:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 17:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89989 | On time 17:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 18:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86166 | On time 17:59 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h32 | 18:31 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89999 | On time 18:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h35 | 19:04 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86168 | On time 18:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 19:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G90007 | On time 19:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h35 | 20:04 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
G86172 | On time 19:58 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h30 | 20:28 Pontefract Monkhill (PFM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G90018 | On time 20:29 Leeds station (LDS) | 0h34 | 21:03 Pontefract Tanshelf (POT) | 0 changesdirect | |
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.
Trains from Leeds to Pontefract run on average 8 times per day, taking around 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £6 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:24, the last at 23:20. The fastest train covers the 19 km distance in 29m.
Distance 19 km |
Average train duration 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 29m |
First train 5:24 |
Last train 23:20 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Pontefract — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Pontefract trip today.
Town museum beside the castle with displays on local history, everyday life and Pontefract’s past. A practical first stop for understanding the area.
Castle visitor exhibition interpreting the site’s royal, military and prison history. A compact museum-style stop that adds context to the ruins outside.
Volunteer-run heritage centre covering the district’s coal mining story through machinery, artefacts and personal memories. An informative local favourite.
Central pedestrian-friendly shopping street with historic buildings and easy access to major sights. A useful area for getting a feel for the town centre.
Traditional market area lined with historic frontages and civic buildings. Worth a stroll for the town’s layout, atmosphere and regular market activity.
Open parkland around the racecourse with paths and broad views. Suitable for a longer walk and for seeing a different side of Pontefract.
Soft liquorice sweets made with liquorice root and sugar. Pontefract is famous for these historic lozenge-style cakes first produced here in the 18th century.
A robust Yorkshire stew of beef, root vegetables and gravy, slowly cooked for comfort in colder months. A classic local pub and home dish across West Yorkshire.
Minced beef and onion in shortcrust pastry, commonly sold by Yorkshire bakers. It is a staple savoury snack in the region and popular for lunch.
Established Indian restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and familiar favourites in a comfortable town-centre setting.
Traditional pub in Pontefract known for classic British meals, cask ales and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Stylish restaurant and bar in nearby Darrington serving modern British dishes, steaks and cocktails in smart surroundings.
Moderate for the UK. Dining and local transport are manageable, while hotel prices are usually lower than in major cities such as London or York.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leeds to Pontefract 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 Pontefract, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Leeds to Pontefract trains use the Leeds to Pontefract Monkhill station pair, with some services arriving at Pontefract Tanshelf. Use this guide to compare Leeds and Pontefract train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Leeds has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Caffè Nero, KFC, Leon, McDonald's, The Pasty Shop, Starbucks, Pret a Manger, JD Wetherspoon, Delice de France
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located in the West Footbridge and South Concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:45 - 23:59, Sun: 06:45 - 22:30. Information desks are located on the North Concourse near the Wellington Street entrance. Open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Luggage storage is located on the main concourse. Services provided by Excess Baggage Co, open daily from 08:00 until 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leeds: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leeds: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leeds: There are elevators or level access to all platforms in the whole station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Leeds City Center, The Queens Hotel, Leeds Marriott Hotel.
Pontefract Monkhill has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pontefract Monkhill.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pontefract Monkhill: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Pontefract Monkhill: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pontefract Monkhill: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, Station is unstaffed. No step-free access to platform2, which is via stepped footbridge. There is level access from the station entrance to platform 1, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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.
Pontefract Tanshelf has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pontefract Tanshelf.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Station is unstaffed. However no access problems for disabled or wheelchair users as the access to the platforms is via the ramped footbridge, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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