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Trains from London to Leicester

Save 61% on average when you buy in advance †

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Leicester by train

It takes an average of 1h 42m to travel from London to Leicester by train, over a distance of around 88 miles (142 km). There are normally 90 trains per day travelling from London to Leicester and tickets for this journey start from £15.20 when you book in advance.

First train

04:27

Last train

23:35

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Leicester

Journey time

From 1h 2m

Distance

88 miles (142 km)

Frequency

90 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £15.20

Train operators

East Midlands Railway

Travelling from London to Leicester by train

Planning a day out and looking to travel from London to Leicester by train? You've come to the right place!

The train from London to Leicester usually takes around 1h 35m but can take just 1h 2m on the fastest services, with around 81 trains running on this popular route every day. You won’t need to worry about making any changes along the way either as direct trains are available.

Train services on this route are run by East Midlands Railway (EMR). Their Intercity services are kitted out with free WiFi and a spacious First Class carriage if you feel like treating yourself.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we’ll show you how much you can save on your train tickets to Leicester from London if you travel Off-Peak or get a Railcard.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from London to Leicester.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Leicester? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Leicester take?

The average journey time by train between London and Leicester is 1 hour and 42 minutes, with around 90 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Leicester by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Leicester is 1 hour and 2 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Leicester cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Leicester can start from as little as £15.20 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Leicester?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Leicester without having to change trains. There are 90 direct trains from London to Leicester each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Leicester leave?

The first train from London to Leicester leaves at 04:27. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Leicester leave?

The last train from London to Leicester leaves at 23:35. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Leicester by train?

Trains travelling from London to Leicester cover a distance of around 88 miles (142 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Leicester to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Leicester.

Cheap train tickets from London to Leicester

Train tickets from London to Leicester start at £15.20‡ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Leicester is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

‡Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

An evening journey from London to Leicester

After a busy day of eating, drinking and seeing the sites in London, we arrive back at St Pancras station to take the train back up to Leicester.

We’re here about 30 minutes before our train is due to leave, and the station has quite a buzzy atmosphere as people are heading on nights out. As we entered the station from the main Underground entrance, we wander in and out of the many shops along the lower level, to background music of someone playing one of the pianos that are spotted around the station. We grab some chips from Prime Burger to take on the train back and head up the escalators (only the set furthest away from the platform go up FYI) towards the platform that East Midlands Railway trains depart from.

The train is already on the platform so we board straight away, unlike earlier, we don’t have a table seat this time, but there are individual fold-down tables we can use instead. My seat is facing backwards, so as the train departs and pulls out of St Pancras I get an amazing view of all the nearby buildings (including the BT Tower) lit up in the night. The journey takes slightly longer from London to Leicester, around an hour and a half instead of the hour it took on the way down, as it stops at several stations along the way like Luton Airport Parkway, Wellingborough, and Kettering.

Once the train arrives into Leicester station, we hop off and head up the stairs to the exit and taxi rank. All in all, it was a comfortable relaxing journey after a great day out in London.

About Jorja

Jorja, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between London and Leicester.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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