The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Leicester
Cheapest price
£35
Average price
£50
Fastest journey
1 h 57 m
Average duration
2 h 16 m
Trains per day
6
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 £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £35.
To travel from Manchester to Leicester you need to make at least one change.
C72660 · C72207
Y12357 · C51244
Y12357 · Y12153
L36558+
C51596
L36552+
Y12151
W02898+
C72205
L36552+
Y12151
L36558+
C51596
Y12357 · Y12153
Y12357 · C51244Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Manchester to Leicester
Omio recommends booking the coach 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 £17.
Distance: 119 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£43 Average Price | £17 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 33m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 55m Average total duration 3h 25m 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.
Live departures
Manchester to Leicester train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Leicester trains for today, Wednesday 31 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 17:35 Manchester | 1h39 | 19:14 Leicester | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 1 January | |||||
L36552+ Y12151 | On time 08:13 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h17 | 10:30 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
Y12357 · Y12153 | On time 08:43 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 11:03 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
Y12357 · C51244 | On time 08:43 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h27 | 11:10 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
W02898+ C72205 | On time 08:54 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h57 | 10:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
C72660 · C72207 | On time 09:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h48 | 11:51 Leicester station (LEI) | 1 change | |
L36558+ C51596 | On time 09:13 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h18 | 11:31 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 Manchester 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.
01 Jan
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07 Jan
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Leicester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Leicester
Trains from Manchester to Leicester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 01:49, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 119 km distance in 2h 3m.
Distance 119 km |
Average train duration 2h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 2h 3m |
First train 01:49 |
Last train 23:56 |
Train companies: East Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Northern Rail (3), West Midlands Trains, first_transpennine_express, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country from Manchester to Leicester trainsEast Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Northern Rail (3), West Midlands Trains, first_transpennine_express, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country trains will get you between Manchester and Leicester from £7. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
Avanti West Coast
TransPennine Express
Northern Rail (3)
West Midlands Trains
first_transpennine_express
east_midlands_trains
Cross Country
Trains from Manchester to 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.
Which train companies travel from Manchester to Leicester?
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.
How long is the train from Manchester to Leicester?
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.
How many trains are there from Manchester to Leicester?
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.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Manchester and Leicester?
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.
FAQs: Manchester to Leicester train
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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Leicester
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- 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
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- 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
Most popular train connections from Manchester
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