Leicester to Barnstaple train with CrossCountry

Mon 21 Sept
+ Add return
CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Leicester to Barnstaple

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 21 Sept

Cheapest price on 21 Sept

£239

Average ticket price on 21 Sept

£250

Fastest journey on 21 Sept

4 h 41 m

Average journey duration on 21 Sept

5 h 7 m

Trains on 21 Sept

25

Distance

265 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leicester to Barnstaple is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Leicester to Barnstaple will cost around £250 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £239.

Fast trains

To travel from Leicester to Barnstaple you need to make at least 2 changes.

  • East Midlands Railways
    6:025h23
    Leicester
    11:25Barnstaple
    £2391One-way
    4 changes
  • East Midlands Railways
    7:135h12
    Leicester
    12:25Barnstaple
    £2391One-way
    4 changes
  • East Midlands Railways
    8:135h16
    Leicester
    13:29Barnstaple
    £2391One-way
    4 changes
  • East Midlands Railways
    9:125h15
    Leicester
    14:27Barnstaple
    £2391One-way
    4 changes
  • East Midlands Railways
    10:135h12
    Leicester
    15:25Barnstaple
    £2391One-way
    4 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Leicester to Barnstaple

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Barnstaple among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £45 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 1m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £45, while a train costs an average of £161.

Distance: 265 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£161

Average Price

£45

Average Price

Cheapest

£55

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 1m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 31m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 55m

Average total duration

7h 25m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 57m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Leicester to Barnstaple is a coach with an average price of £45.

This is compared to other travel options from Leicester to Barnstaple:

A coach is £116 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Barnstaple costing on average £161.

The fastest way to travel from Leicester to Barnstaple is by train with an average journey time of 4h 31m.

Other travel options to Barnstaple take longer:

Coach takes on average 7h 25m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Leicester and Barnstaple including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £161 compared to roughly £55 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-105.93. The journey takes 4h 31m versus 3h 57m 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.

Live departures

Leicester to Barnstaple train times

The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Barnstaple trains for today, Sunday 20 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Cross Country13:50 Leicester
5h37
19:27 Barnstaple2 changes
East Midlands Railways13:59 Leicester
5h28
19:27 Barnstaple4 changes
Cross Country14:50 Leicester
5h36
20:26 Barnstaple2 changes
East Midlands Railways14:59 Leicester
5h27
20:26 Barnstaple4 changes
Cross Country15:50 Leicester
5h41
21:31 Barnstaple2 changes
East Midlands Railways16:13 Leicester
5h18
21:31 Barnstaple4 changes
Cross Country18:50 Leicester
11h29
6:19 Barnstaple2 changes
Cross Country20:50 Leicester
11h35
8:25 Barnstaple3 changes
East Midlands Railways20:59 Leicester
9h20
6:19 Barnstaple4 changes
Cross Country22:20 Leicester
12h09
10:29 Barnstaple3 changes
Cross Country22:20 Leicester
12h09
10:29 Barnstaple2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Barnstaple 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.

Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
Fri
25 Sept
Sat
26 Sept
Sun
27 Sept

Why should you book Leicester to Barnstaple trains with Omio?

CrossCountry as well as Great Western Railway offer trains services from Leicester to Barnstaple.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Leicester to Barnstaple.

Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Barnstaple.
  • 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Leicester to Barnstaple.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Barnstaple.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Leicester to Barnstaple.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Leicester to Barnstaple

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Leicester to Barnstaple run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £133 but you can travel from only £42 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 06:02, the last at 22:41. The fastest train covers the 265 km distance in 4h 26m.

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 £42
Distance
265 km
Average train duration
4h 31m
Cheapest ticket price
£133
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
4h 26m
First train
6:02
Last train
22:41
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Oct - Dec
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 £42

Train companies: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway from Leicester to Barnstaple trainsCrossCountry, Great Western Railway trains will get you between Leicester and Barnstaple from £42. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

CrossCountry

About
CrossCountry is a fast-speed train operator in the United Kingdom, offering both express and regional services across the country. Express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and XC Trains, provide quick and comfortable journeys with amenities like free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Regional services, including the CrossCountry Regional and Regional Express, make more local stops for a leisurely trip. Ticket options include Standard Class and First Class, as well as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak fares to suit different budgets and schedules. Popular routes include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average CrossCountry Duration
4h 26m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£133
CrossCountry frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled services
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require ticket
Quiet zone

Great Western Railway

About
Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
4h 33m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£140
Great Western Railway frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at 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
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Complete guide to Barnstaple

Things to do in Barnstaple

Discover the best of Barnstaple — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barnstaple trip today.

  • Recommended

Barnstaple Museum

Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.

  • Recommended

The Burton at Bideford

Contemporary art gallery inside The Burton, showing changing exhibitions and craft-focused displays in a central modern venue.

Barnstaple Railway Museum

Family-focused heritage attraction with model railways, transport displays and interactive exhibits linked to local engineering history.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining cost less than in major tourist cities, while local buses and casual meals are fairly affordable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£15-25 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£45+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.80-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.

FAQs: Leicester to Barnstaple train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester to Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Leicester to Barnstaple can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £133, while the average price tends to be around £161.
The train journey from Leicester to Barnstaple covers a distance of 265 km and takes approximately 4h 26m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Leicester to Barnstaple is 265 km.
The first train from Leicester to Barnstaple leaves at 6:02.
The last train from Leicester to Barnstaple departs at 22:41.
Trains from Leicester to Barnstaple run approximately 6 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Leicester to Barnstaple.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Leicester to Barnstaple.
To get from Leicester to Barnstaple, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Leicester to Barnstaple.
The train station in Leicester that goes to Barnstaple is Leicester station (LEI), and it arrives at Barnstaple station (BNP).
The cheapest way to get from Leicester to Barnstaple is by coach, costing approximately £42.
Booking trains from Leicester to Barnstaple in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Leicester to Barnstaple offers scenic views, particularly as you approach the rural landscapes of Devon, with rolling hills and picturesque countryside along the way.
A day trip from Leicester to Barnstaple is not feasible as the travel duration is 4h 26m. Trains run 3 times per day over a distance of 265 km.
A visit to Barnstaple can typically be enjoyed over 2 to 3 days, giving you enough time to explore the town's historic centre, visit the Pannier Market, and enjoy the nearby countryside and coast.
Yes, you can take the train from Leicester to Barnstaple.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Leicester and Barnstaple

Most Leicester to Barnstaple trains use the Leicester to Barnstaple station pair. Use this guide to compare Leicester and Barnstaple train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Leicester
Arrival train stations in Barnstaple

Which Leicester station do trains to Barnstaple leave from?

Trains from Leicester to Barnstaple leave from Leicester. The station is 1 km from Leicester city centre at Leicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB.
LeicesterLeicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB+44 8457125678WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
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.

More options for your journey from Leicester to Barnstaple

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone