Southampton to Leicester train with CrossCountry

Tue 08 Sept
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CrossCountry
East Midlands Railway
South Western Railway
Cross Country
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
CrossCountry
East Midlands Railway
South Western Railway
Cross Country
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Southampton to Leicester

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 08 Sept

Cheapest price on 08 Sept

£69

Average ticket price on 08 Sept

£119

Fastest journey on 08 Sept

3 h 21 m

Average journey duration on 08 Sept

3 h 33 m

Trains on 08 Sept

6

Distance

194 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Southampton to Leicester will cost around £119 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £69.

Fast trains

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

  • CrossCountryG00855 · G00812
    8:153h55
    Southampton Central (SOU)
    12:10Leicester station (LEI)
    £691One-way
    1 change
  • CrossCountryG00855 · G66627+West Midlands TrainsW11297
    8:153h36
    Southampton Central (SOU)
    11:51Leicester station (LEI)
    £831One-way
    2 changes
  • South Western RailwayL78764+East Midlands RailwayC21762+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International
    9:003h35
    Southampton Central (SOU)
    12:35Leicester station (LEI)
    £1011One-way
    2 changes
  • South Western RailwayL78756+East Midlands RailwayW70964+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International
    8:003h36
    Southampton Central (SOU)
    11:36Leicester station (LEI)
    £1371One-way
    2 changes
  • South Western RailwayL78760+East Midlands RailwayW70967+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International
    8:303h35
    Southampton Central (SOU)
    12:05Leicester station (LEI)
    £1371One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Southampton to Leicester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £49.

Distance: 194 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach
Driving

£49

Average Price

£18

Average Price

Cheapest

£39

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 35m

Average total duration

5h 5m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 58m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

East Midlands Railway

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Southampton to Leicester is a coach with an average price of £18.

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

A coach is £32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Leicester costing on average £49.

The fastest way to travel from Southampton to Leicester is by train with an average journey time of 2h 53m.

Other travel options to Leicester take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 5m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Leicester including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 5m sooner (2h 53m by train vs 2h 58m by car). Tickets start at around £49 compared to roughly £39 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

Southampton to Leicester train times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Leicester trains for tomorrow, Tuesday 8 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
South Western RailwayL78756+East Midlands RailwayW70964+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International8:00 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h36
11:36 Leicester station (LEI)2 changes
CrossCountryG00855 · G008128:15 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h55
12:10 Leicester station (LEI)1 change
CrossCountryG00855 · G66627+West Midlands TrainsW112978:15 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h36
11:51 Leicester station (LEI)2 changes
CrossCountryG00855+East Midlands RailwayW70964+Great Western RailwayW35358+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International8:15 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h21
11:36 Leicester station (LEI)3 changes
South Western RailwayL78760+East Midlands RailwayW70967+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International8:30 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h35
12:05 Leicester station (LEI)2 changes
South Western RailwayL78764+East Midlands RailwayC21762+TubeTube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International9:00 Southampton Central (SOU)
3h35
12:35 Leicester station (LEI)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Southampton 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.

Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
Fri
11 Sept
Sat
12 Sept
Sun
13 Sept
Mon
14 Sept

Why should you book Southampton to Leicester trains with Omio?

CrossCountry as well as East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway, Cross Country and more offer trains services from Southampton to Leicester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Southampton to Leicester.

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 East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Southampton 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Southampton 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 East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Southampton to Leicester.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Southampton to Leicester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Southampton to Leicester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Southampton to Leicester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £40 but you can travel from only £14 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 04:41, the last at 22:52. The fastest train covers the 194 km distance in 3h 36m.

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 £14
Distance
194 km
Average train duration
2h 53m
Cheapest ticket price
£40
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
3h 36m
First train
4:41
Last train
22:52
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
28 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £14

Train companies: CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway, Cross Country from Southampton to Leicester trainsCrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway, Cross Country trains will get you between Southampton and Leicester from £14. 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
3h 36m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£40
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

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
3h 20m
Cheapest East Midlands Railway Price
£51
East Midlands Railway frequency
2 a day
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

South Western Railway

About
South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average South Western Railway Duration
3h 36m
Cheapest South Western Railway Price
£73
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas at end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund depends on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service with hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee, free for some ticket types
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free, dogs must be on lead
Quiet zone

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Cross Country Duration
3h 16m
Cheapest Cross Country Price
£190
Cross Country frequency
26 a day

Complete guide to Leicester

Things to do in Leicester

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

  • 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.

  • Recommended

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.

  • Recommended

Jewry Wall Museum

Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.

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
£2.80-4 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

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.

FAQs: Southampton to Leicester train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton 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.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Southampton to Leicester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £40, while the average price tends to be around £49.
The train journey from Southampton to Leicester covers a distance of 194 km and takes approximately 3h 36m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Southampton to Leicester is 194 km.
The first train from Southampton to Leicester leaves at 4:41.
The last train from Southampton to Leicester departs at 22:52.
Trains from Southampton to Leicester run approximately 6 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Southampton to Leicester.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Southampton to Leicester.
To get from Southampton to Leicester, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Southampton to Leicester.
The train station in Southampton that goes to Leicester is Southampton Central (SOU), and it arrives at Leicester station (LEI).
The cheapest way to get from Southampton to Leicester is by coach, costing approximately £14.
Booking trains from Southampton to Leicester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Southampton to Leicester offers varied scenery, including glimpses of the countryside, small towns, and urban landscapes. While not considered one of the most scenic routes in the UK, it provides a pleasant view of England's diverse environments.
A day trip from Southampton to Leicester is not feasible, as the journey takes 3h 36m. Trains run 6 times per day over a distance of 194 km.
Two to three days is typically enough to explore Leicester's key attractions, including the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester Cathedral, and the National Space Centre, while also enjoying the local culture and dining.
Yes, you can take the train from Southampton to Leicester.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Leicester

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

Departure train stations in Southampton
Arrival train stations in Leicester

Which Southampton station do trains to Leicester leave from?

Trains from Southampton to Leicester leave from Southampton Central. The station is 1 km from Southampton city centre at Southampton Central station, Blechynden Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1AL.
Southampton CentralSouthampton Central station, Blechynden Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1AL+44 345 600 0650WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton Central from Southampton city centre

BusX4, X5 · 5m · £2 · every ~20 min

Southampton Central train station facilities and services

Southampton Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Southampton Central.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Southampton Central. ATMs are available at Southampton Central.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton Central.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Southampton Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Southampton Airport ParkwaySouthampton Airport Parkway station, Wide Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 2HW+44 345 600 0650WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton Airport Parkway from Southampton city centre

Southampton Airport Parkway is 5 km from Southampton city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainSalisbury - Romsey, Weymouth - London Waterloo, Bournemouth - Winchester, Poole - London Waterloo, Southampton Central - London Waterloo, Weymouth - Woking, Bournemouth - Basingstoke, Poole - Winchester, Southampton Central - Basingstoke, Bournemouth - London Waterloo, Poole - Eastleigh, Weymouth - Eastleigh, Romsey - Romsey, Southampton Central - Woking, Salisbury - Salisbury, Salisbury - Eastleigh, Southampton Central - Eastleigh, Southampton Central - Romsey · 10m · £3 · every ~8 min
BusU1a, U1e · 34m · £2 · every ~21 min
U1a, U1e · 40m · £2 · every ~37 min

Southampton Airport Parkway train station facilities and services

Southampton Airport Parkway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Southampton Airport Parkway.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Southampton Airport Parkway. ATMs are available at Southampton Airport Parkway.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton Airport Parkway.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton Airport Parkway: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Southampton Airport Parkway: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton Airport Parkway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

SwaythlingSwaythling station, Wessex Lane, Swaythling, Hampshire, SO18 2LB+44 345 600 0650WifiParkingDiningAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Swaythling from Southampton city centre

Swaythling is 4 km from Southampton city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainSouthampton Central - London Waterloo, Salisbury - Romsey, Romsey - Romsey, Salisbury - Salisbury, Bournemouth - Basingstoke, Southampton Central - Basingstoke, Bournemouth - Winchester, Southampton Central - Woking, Weymouth - Eastleigh, Salisbury - Eastleigh, Southampton Central - Romsey · 7m · £2 · every ~3 min
BusU6h · 22m · £2 · every ~11 min
2 · 28m · £4 · every ~22 min
U1a, U1e · 30m · £2 · every ~21 min
U1a, U1e · 33m · £2 · every ~37 min

Swaythling train station facilities and services

Swaythling has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Swaythling.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Swaythling.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Swaythling.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Swaythling: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Swaythling: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Swaythling: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Step-free category B station - This station has no step-free access to Platform 1 (for trains towards Eastleigh/ London Waterloo). There is level access to Platform 2 (for trains towards Southampton Central). Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Leicester Southampton to Leicester train

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