- Must visit
Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds’s principal art gallery shows British art, sculpture and changing exhibitions in an elegant central building.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£53
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£57
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
3 h 14 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
3 h 15 m
Trains on 17 Sept
2
Distance
250 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Watford to Leeds is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Watford to Leeds will cost around £57 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £53.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 2 trains from Watford to Leeds, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 250 km distance in an average of 3 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 14 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 15 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Watford to Leeds among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £84 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 26m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £84, while a train costs an average of £84.
Distance: 250 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£84 Average Price Cheapest | £48 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 26m Average total duration Fastest 2h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 13m sooner (2h 56m by train vs 3h 9m by car). Tickets start at around £84 compared to roughly £48 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.
The table below shows live departures for Watford to Leeds trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:07 Watford | 3h14 | 11:21 Leeds | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:09 Watford | 3h15 | 11:24 Leeds | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Watford to Leeds run on average 14 times per day, taking around 2h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £52 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 02:01, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 250 km distance in 2h 31m.
Distance 250 km |
Average train duration 2h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price £52 |
Trains per day 14 |
Fastest train 2h 31m |
First train 2:01 |
Last train 23:49 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Leeds — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leeds trip today.
Leeds’s principal art gallery shows British art, sculpture and changing exhibitions in an elegant central building.
A major city museum with natural history, archaeology and local history displays suitable for all ages.
A large industrial museum in a former mill, covering textiles, engineering and Leeds’s manufacturing heritage.
A grand pedestrianised square framed by major buildings, often hosting events, markets and seasonal installations.
A lively regenerated waterfront with canalside walks, converted warehouses, public art and independent venues.
A handsome Victorian shopping arcade with mosaics and period detail, ideal for architecture and boutique browsing.
A Leeds speciality of white fish baked in cream and topped with mashed potato. It is tied to Victorian cookery in the city and wider West Yorkshire.
Classic Yorkshire pudding served as a savoury starter with onion gravy. It is a defining county dish commonly eaten in Leeds pubs and Sunday roasts.
Slow-cooked beef stew with root vegetables and herbs under a suet pastry lid. A hearty northern pub dish long associated with Yorkshire cooking.
Popular Indian restaurant serving classic curries and tandoori dishes in a smart, welcoming room. Well suited to Leeds' strong South Asian food scene.
Refined British tasting menus in an intimate, modern dining room. A strong choice for seasonal Yorkshire produce and a special-occasion meal.
Lively city-centre restaurant known for dry-aged steaks, burgers and cocktails. Stylish but relaxed, suited to a polished casual dinner.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while public transport and everyday tourist costs stay fairly manageable.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Leeds Bradford Airport -> Leeds Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford to Leeds 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 Leeds, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Watford to Leeds trains use the Watford Junction to Leeds station pair. Use this guide to compare Watford and Leeds train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Watford Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Watford Junction.
ATMs are available at Watford Junction.
Ticket office support is available at Watford Junction. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Watford Junction: Parking, WC.
Available at Watford Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Watford High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Watford High Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Watford High Street. ATMs are available at Watford High Street.
Ticket office support is available at Watford High Street.
Available at Watford High Street: Parking.
Available at Watford High Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford High Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only, Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bushey is 1 km from Watford city centre. Public transport options include:
Bushey has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bushey.
Wi-Fi is available at Bushey.
Ticket office support is available at Bushey. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bushey: Parking.
Available at Bushey: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bushey: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Leeds has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Caffè Nero, KFC, Leon, McDonald's, The Pasty Shop, Starbucks, Pret a Manger, JD Wetherspoon, Delice de France
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located in the West Footbridge and South Concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:45 - 23:59, Sun: 06:45 - 22:30. Information desks are located on the North Concourse near the Wellington Street entrance. Open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Luggage storage is located on the main concourse. Services provided by Excess Baggage Co, open daily from 08:00 until 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leeds: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leeds: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leeds: There are elevators or level access to all platforms in the whole station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Leeds City Center, The Queens Hotel, Leeds Marriott Hotel.
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