The cheapest and fastest trains from Luton to Leicester
Cheapest price
£23
Average price
£25
Fastest journey
54 m
Average duration
1 h 1 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
97 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Luton to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Leicester will cost around £25 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £23.
Of the 5 trains that leave Luton for Leicester every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 97 km distance in an average of 1 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 54 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 9 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.










Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Luton to Leicester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Luton to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £11, and a train costs an average of £12.
Distance: 97 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£38 Average Price | £19 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 2m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 23m Average total duration 1h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Luton to Leicester train times
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Leicester trains for today, Saturday 21 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C51840 · Y12195 | On time 08:10 Luton station (LUT) | 1h06 | 09:16 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C51877 · C52158 | On time 08:40 Luton station (LUT) | 1h05 | 09:45 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C52341 · Y12198 | On time 09:10 Luton station (LUT) | 1h06 | 10:16 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C52613 · Y12201 | On time 09:40 Luton station (LUT) | 1h05 | 10:45 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C52451 · Y12203 | On time 10:10 Luton station (LUT) | 1h06 | 11:16 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C51851 · Y12206 | On time 10:40 Luton station (LUT) | 1h05 | 11:45 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Luton to Leicester 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.
22 Feb
23 Feb
24 Feb
25 Feb
26 Feb
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
02 Mar
03 Mar
04 Mar
05 Mar
06 Mar
07 Mar
Why should you book Luton to Leicester trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs East Midlands Trains?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for East Midlands Trains, but also compare tickets for the likes of National Express, Thameslink or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Leicester.
- 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 East Midlands Trains with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Luton to Leicester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Rome2rio?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of National Express, Thameslink or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Leicester.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Luton to Leicester.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Luton to Leicester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Luton to Leicester
Trains from Luton to Leicester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:20, the last at 23:46. The fastest train covers the 97 km distance in 54m.
Distance 97 km |
Average train duration 1h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 54m |
First train 04:20 |
Last train 23:46 |
Train companies: East Midlands Trains, National Express, Thameslink, east_midlands_trains from Luton to Leicester trainsEast Midlands Trains, National Express, Thameslink, east_midlands_trains trains will get you between Luton and Leicester from £11. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Trains
Thameslink
National Express
east_midlands_trains
Trains from Luton to Leicester
If you are touching down from a flight or just want to visit the resting place of Richard III, getting from Luton to Leicester by train is easy. East Midlands Trains run direct and indirect services once every hour, starting at 6:12 a.m. and finishing at 11:46 p.m., where most journeys take just over an hour. Should you require a transfer, it won't add much to the journey. Transfers will take place at Luton Parkway, just outside the airport.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Luton to Leicester?
Departure Station: There are a number of departure points for trains from Luton to Leicester. The first is Luton Station, which is on Hucklesby Way in the centre of town. The second is Luton Airport Parkway. The number 30 bus runs from the town centre straight to the station entrance.
Arrival Station: All trains from Luton get into Leicester's elegant Victorian station. From there, you can walk about 800 metres down Granby Street to the city centre or take the 48 bus, which also runs southwards to outside the King Power Stadium.
Taking the Train from Luton
Luton's main railway station is close to the centre of town, and it is served by regular buses from around the area. Passengers travelling from London Luton Airport can benefit from a fast rail link to the main train station from London Airport Parkway. The station has parking available for motorists, or alternatively you can travel there by taxi.
Getting into Leicester by Train
Leicester's new Richard III visitor centre has become a major draw for tourists, following the discovery of the king's body in the city. However, the city also has many other visitor attractions, including its castle, museums and art galleries. Leicester is also a popular destination for both shopping and eating out. People taking trains from Luton to Leicester arrive at the train station in London Road, just five minutes from the city centre by foot. There are frequent bus services from outside the rail station to locations around Leicester, as well as a taxi rank at the front of the station. Buses also regularly depart from the city centre for East Midlands Airport in Castle Donington.
FAQs: Luton to Leicester train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Leicester
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 21:45 Saturday 05:45 - 22:00 Sunday 06:45 - 21:45
- Car Park: Station Road Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: Available during staffing hours
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Waiting rooms location: There are heated waiting areas on platforms 1 to 4
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front and rear entrances
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 00:30 Saturday 06:30 - 00:00 Sunday 07:30 - 00:00
- Type of shops available: Coffee shops
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: There is a heated waiting area on platforms 2 and 3 and also adjacent to platform 4
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front of station and Kimpton Road
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 19:30 Saturday 06:00 - 19:20 Sunday 07:45 - 17:45
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station. Step free access to southbound platform 1 and northbound platform 4 (via a separate entrance). No step free access to northbound platform 2 or southbound platform 3. Most services call at platforms 1 and 2. The assistance meeting point is Platform 4 next to ticket office.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 4
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:20 - 22:30 Saturday 05:20 - 22:30 Sunday 07:15 - 22:30
- Car Park: Short stay car park
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on the Main Concourse, Platform 1/2 and Platform 3/4. The National key toilets are located on Platform 1/2 and Platform 3/4; these toilets are operated by a radar key. The radar key is available from the Duty Manager located on the end of Platform 3/4.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle hub situated on the lower floor (old Red Star parcels area) which can be accessed via the lift located to the left of the Customer Information desk. Stands also available in main car park and station front near short stay car park.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- 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
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Coaches leave from the Station front
More options for your journey from Luton to Leicester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

