- Must visit
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Cheapest price
£38
Average price
£65
Fastest journey
1 h 40 m
Average duration
2 h 6 m
Trains per day
10
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Leicester will cost around £65 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £38.
To travel from Manchester to Leicester you need to make at least one change.
G01026 · G00822
W29883 · G66641
G01007 · G66629
W84657+
W70840
W84663+
C21677
W33237+
G00816
W33287+
G00819
W84657+
W70840
W33088+
G00790
G01011 · G00810Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 3m. 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 £7, and a train costs an average of £16.
Distance: 119 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£37 Average Price | £14 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 33m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 59m Average total duration 3h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Leicester trains for today, Saturday 15 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W33589+ G66617 | Delayed 4:04 5:04Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h46 | 6:50 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W33780+ G66619 | Delayed 4:53 5:54Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h56 | 7:50 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W29870 · G00792 | On time 11:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h48 | 13:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01017 · G00817 | On time 11:25 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h45 | 14:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W29876 · G66636 | On time 12:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h48 | 14:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01021 · G00820 | On time 12:25 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h45 | 15:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W29881 · G66639 | On time 13:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h48 | 15:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01025 · G00823 | On time 13:25 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h45 | 16:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01149 · G66642 | On time 14:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h48 | 16:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01028 · G00827 | On time 14:25 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h45 | 17:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W70840+ W84657 | 8:12 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h13 | 10:25 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01007 · G66629 | 8:26 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h22 | 11:48 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
V14686+ C17882+ G66629 | 8:30 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h18 | 11:48 Leicester station (LEI) | 2 changes | |
C21677+ W84663 | 9:09 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h50 | 11:59 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
G01011 · G00810 | 9:27 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h43 | 12:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W33088+ G00790 | 10:35 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h13 | 12:48 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
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 Manchester to Leicester run on average 9 times per day, taking around 2h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:45, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 119 km distance in 2h 8m.
Distance 119 km |
Average train duration 2h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 9 |
Fastest train 2h 8m |
First train 3:45 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.
Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.
Lively regenerated waterside with bars, boats, public art and an easy walk linking the city centre to the canal heritage area.
Large central park with formal gardens, broad lawns and space to relax near the university and city centre.
Attractive green space around abbey ruins and the River Soar, good for walks, wildlife and traces of medieval Leicester.
Red Leicester is a crumbly orange cow’s milk cheese from Leicestershire, long linked to the county and traditionally coloured with annatto for its rich hue.
Melton Mowbray pork pie is a hand-raised pie from Leicestershire with seasoned chopped pork and a distinctive free-form crust, traditionally eaten cold.
Stilton is a famous English blue cheese historically traded through Leicestershire, prized for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour on local cheeseboards.
Popular Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile known for rich curries, tandoori dishes and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar in St Martins Square, known for seasonal plates, cocktails and a polished but relaxed dining room.
Long-running vegetarian Gujarati restaurant serving thalis, snacks and sweets in a simple, busy setting loved by local families.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
Official public transport app
Leicester Railway Station -> Clock Tower, Leicester
With around two to three scheduled train services an hour between Manchester and Leicester, it's easy to travel between these cities quickly and flexibly. Journeys can take as little as one and a half hours and there tends to be one change at Sheffield or Nuneaton.
Train services between Manchester and Leicester are operated by East Midlands Trains, Virgin and West Midlands Railway. Some services depart from Manchester Picadilly station and others from Manchester Oxford Road. These stations are only a 10-15 minute walk from each other and there are connecting trains every few minutes from Manchester Oxford Road, travelling just one stop to Manchester Picadilly.
Trains between Manchester and Leicester can take as little as one and a half hours, although most journeys seem to average out at around two hours and have one changeover. A few journeys have two changeovers.
There are around two to three scheduled services every hour from Manchester Oxford Road or Manchester Picadilly through to Leicester Train Station. Services begin at around 6:00 a.m. and run until 10:00 p.m., even at weekends. This is a popular commuter and tourist route that is very well served with scheduled services, making it ideal for flexible travel.
Departure train station: Manchester trains depart from either Manchester Oxford Road, the terminus station, or Manchester Picadilly, which is the stop just before. Both stations are easily linked with a ten-minute walk or a quick hop on a train. Both stations have ticketing facilities, waiting areas with seating, coffee shops and accessible toilets. Manchester Piccadilly is the city's largest station and also has showers, retail outlets, food outlets and trolleys.
Arrival train station: Leicester station was refurbished in 2002 and now boasts an attractive open-plan layout, accessible facilities, a retail zone with shops, coffee and food facilities, lifts, ticket facilities, trolleys and more. There is a large car park outside, a taxi rank directly in front of the station and the city bus routes are just a short walk away.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester 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.

Most Manchester to Leicester trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Leicester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, 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.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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 options are available at Leicester.
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester. ATMs are available at Leicester.
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.
Available at Leicester: Parking, WC.
Available at Leicester: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
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.
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