Leicester to Watford train with West Midlands Trains

Sun 13 Sept
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West Midlands Trains
East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast
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Cross Country
2,000+ travel companies
West Midlands Trains
East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast
east_midlands_trains
Cross Country
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Leicester to Watford

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 13 Sept

Cheapest price on 13 Sept

£52

Average ticket price on 13 Sept

£77

Fastest journey on 13 Sept

2 h 7 m

Average journey duration on 13 Sept

2 h 16 m

Trains on 13 Sept

16

Distance

120 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Leicester to Watford will cost around £77 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £52.

Fast trains

To travel from Leicester to Watford you need to make at least one change.

  • East Midlands RailwayW70737+West Midlands TrainsW11114+ThameslinkX05504
    10:452h13
    Leicester station (LEI)
    12:58Watford Junction (WFJ)
    £521One-way
    2 changes
  • East Midlands RailwayW70833+West Midlands TrainsW11102+London OvergroundL22389+ThameslinkX05585
    8:292h49
    Leicester station (LEI)
    11:18Watford High Street (WFH)
    £521One-way
    3 changes
  • East Midlands RailwayW70833+West Midlands TrainsW11102+ThameslinkX05585
    8:292h29
    Leicester station (LEI)
    10:58Watford Junction (WFJ)
    £521One-way
    2 changes
  • East Midlands RailwayW70833+West Midlands TrainsW11102+London OvergroundL22389+ThameslinkX05585
    8:292h51
    Leicester station (LEI)
    11:20Bushey (BSH)
    £521One-way
    3 changes
  • CrossCountryG66934+West Midlands TrainsC17882
    10:202h07
    Leicester station (LEI)
    12:27Watford Junction (WFJ)
    £751One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train for Leicester to Watford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Watford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £50 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £50, while a train costs an average of £50.

Distance: 120 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£50

Average Price

Cheapest

£24

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 55m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 25m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 44m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

West Midlands Trains

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Leicester to Watford is a train with an average price of £50.
The fastest way to travel from Leicester to Watford is by train with an average journey time of 1h 25m.
Yes, you can take a train between Leicester and Watford.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 19m sooner (1h 25m by train vs 1h 44m by car). Tickets start at around £50 compared to roughly £24 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

Leicester to Watford train times

The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Watford trains for today, Saturday 12 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
CrossCountryG00983+Avanti West CoastW33588
On time
19:50 Leicester station (LEI)
1h39
21:29 Watford Junction (WFJ)
1 change
CrossCountryG00983+Avanti West CoastW33588+London OvergroundL2253719:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h21
0:11 Watford High Street (WFH)2 changes
CrossCountryG00983+West Midlands TrainsC18006+London OvergroundL2253719:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h21
0:11 Watford High Street (WFH)2 changes
CrossCountryG00983+Avanti West CoastW33588+London OvergroundL2253719:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h23
0:13 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
CrossCountryG00983+West Midlands TrainsC18006+London OvergroundL2253719:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h23
0:13 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21531 · C04282+ThameslinkC02693+West Midlands Trainsdarwin_rsid20:43 Leicester station (LEI)
3h28
0:11 Watford High Street (WFH)4 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21531 · C04282+ThameslinkC02693+West Midlands Trainsdarwin_rsid20:43 Leicester station (LEI)
3h30
0:13 Bushey (BSH)4 changes
CrossCountryG00986+West Midlands TrainsW11364 · P6953320:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h03
23:53 Watford Junction (WFJ)2 changes
Sunday 13 September
East Midlands RailwayW70833+ThameslinkX05585+West Midlands TrainsW111028:29 Leicester station (LEI)
2h29
10:58 Watford Junction (WFJ)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayW70833+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+London OvergroundC342058:29 Leicester station (LEI)
2h57
11:26 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayW70833+ThameslinkX05585+West Midlands TrainsW11102+London OvergroundL223898:29 Leicester station (LEI)
2h49
11:18 Watford High Street (WFH)3 changes
East Midlands RailwayW70833+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+London OvergroundC342058:29 Leicester station (LEI)
2h59
11:28 Watford High Street (WFH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayW70833+ThameslinkX05585+West Midlands TrainsW11102+London OvergroundL223898:29 Leicester station (LEI)
2h51
11:20 Bushey (BSH)3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21881+West Midlands TrainsL12298+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston8:53 Leicester station (LEI)
2h48
11:41 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21881+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+London OvergroundP025118:53 Leicester station (LEI)
3h05
11:58 Watford High Street (WFH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21857+ThameslinkX05583+West Midlands TrainsW111089:27 Leicester station (LEI)
2h31
11:58 Watford Junction (WFJ)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21857+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+London OvergroundC342339:27 Leicester station (LEI)
3h01
12:28 Watford High Street (WFH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21857+ThameslinkX05583+West Midlands TrainsW11108+London OvergroundP024309:27 Leicester station (LEI)
2h53
12:20 Bushey (BSH)3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21857+West Midlands TrainsW70575+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston9:27 Leicester station (LEI)
2h46
12:13 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21857+ThameslinkX05583+West Midlands TrainsW11108+London OvergroundP024309:27 Leicester station (LEI)
2h51
12:18 Watford High Street (WFH)3 changes
CrossCountryG66934+West Midlands TrainsC17882 · W7028110:20 Leicester station (LEI)
2h19
12:39 Bushey (BSH)2 changes
CrossCountryG66934+West Midlands TrainsC1788210:20 Leicester station (LEI)
2h07
12:27 Watford Junction (WFJ)1 change
East Midlands RailwayW70737+ThameslinkX05504+West Midlands TrainsW1111410:45 Leicester station (LEI)
2h13
12:58 Watford Junction (WFJ)2 changes
CrossCountryG01048+West Midlands TrainsC17879 · Y8080411:20 Leicester station (LEI)
2h14
13:34 Watford Junction (WFJ)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Watford by train

Compare train 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.

Sun
13 Sept
Mon
14 Sept
Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept

Why should you book Leicester to Watford trains with Omio?

West Midlands Trains as well as East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country and more offer trains services from Leicester to Watford.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Leicester to Watford.

Why book with Omio vs West Midlands Trains?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for West Midlands Trains, but also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, east_midlands_trains or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Watford.
  • 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.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Rome2rio or Raileurope?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, east_midlands_trains or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Watford.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Leicester to Watford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Leicester to Watford run on average 19 times per day, taking around 1h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £41 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 00:13, the last at 22:52. The fastest train covers the 120 km distance in 2h 15m.

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
Distance
120 km
Average train duration
1h 25m
Cheapest ticket price
£41
Trains per day
19
Fastest train
2h 15m
First train
0:13
Last train
22:52
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
3 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

Train companies: West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country from Leicester to Watford trainsWest Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country trains will get you between Leicester and Watford from £41. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

West Midlands Trains

About
West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average West Midlands Trains Duration
2h 15m
Cheapest West Midlands Trains Price
£41
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket conditions
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for an additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs require a ticket at 50% of adult fare. Guide dogs travel free
Quiet zone

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
2h 36m
Cheapest East Midlands Railway Price
£53
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

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Avanti West Coast frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average east_midlands_trains Duration
1h 25m
Cheapest east_midlands_trains Price
£58
east_midlands_trains frequency
23 a day

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Cross Country Duration
1h 46m
Cheapest Cross Country Price
£126
Cross Country frequency
3 a day

Complete guide to Watford

Things to do in Watford

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

  • Must visit

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

A visitor attraction and working studio where tours reveal how Harry Potter films were made, with original sets and props.

  • Recommended

Watford Museum

Watford's local museum in a historic house, with exhibitions on the town's people, industry and changing streets.

Watford Palace Theatre

An arts centre with galleries, performances and cinema, making it a useful stop for contemporary local visual culture.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for southern England. Hotels can be pricey on London commuter routes, but dining and local transport are usually a little cheaper than central London.

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
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, 10% is usual for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.

FAQs: Leicester to Watford train

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

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Leicester to Watford can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £41, while the average price tends to be around £50.
The train journey from Leicester to Watford covers a distance of 120 km and takes approximately 2h 15m. Trains run 19 per day.
The train distance from Leicester to Watford is 120 km.
The first train from Leicester to Watford leaves at 0:13.
The last train from Leicester to Watford departs at 22:52.
Trains from Leicester to Watford run approximately 19 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Leicester to Watford.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Leicester to Watford.
To travel from Leicester to Watford, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Leicester to Watford.
The train station in Leicester that goes to Watford is Leicester station (LEI), and it arrives at Watford Junction (WFJ).
The cheapest way to get from Leicester to Watford is by train, costing approximately £41.
Booking trains from Leicester to Watford 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 Watford primarily passes through urban and suburban areas, offering limited scenic views. However, some parts of the route may include glimpses of the English countryside.
A day trip from Leicester to Watford is not feasible as the journey duration is 2h 15m. Trains run 16 times per day and the distance is 120 km.
In Watford, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as attending performances at the Watford Palace Theatre or exploring the shops and dining options at Intu Watford. For entertainment, try Topgolf Watford, or attend community arts events at The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre. Nature enthusiasts can visit the Rickmansworth Aquadrome for walking and cycling, or explore Cassiobury Park and its nature reserve. Don't miss the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for a behind-the-scenes look at the Harry Potter films. Additionally, Watford Museum offers insights into the town's history, while Cheslyn House and Gardens provide a tranquil escape. For luxury, The Grove features beautiful gardens, a golf course, and spa facilities.
To fully explore Watford's attractions, including Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, Cassiobury Park, and Watford Palace Theatre, a two to three-day visit is recommended.
Yes, you can take the train from Leicester to Watford.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Leicester and Watford

Most Leicester to Watford trains use the Leicester to Watford Junction station pair, with some services arriving at Watford High Street. Use this guide to compare Leicester and Watford 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 Watford

Which Leicester station do trains to Watford leave from?

Trains from Leicester to Watford 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 Watford

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

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Watford Leicester to Watford train

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