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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.

Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly by train

It takes an average of 1h 14m to travel from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly by train, over a distance of around 36 miles (57 km). There are normally 70 trains per day travelling from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly and tickets for this journey start from £3.70 when you book in advance.

First train

02:31

Last train

02:30

Departure station

Leeds

Arrival station

Manchester Piccadilly

Journey time

From 56m

Distance

36 miles (57 km)

Frequency

70 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £3.70

Train operators

TransPennine Express

Travelling from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly by train in just 50 minutes

​🍃 Create 67% less CO2 when you choose train over car*

Is switching to train one of the best ways to lower your CO2 impact? Sure is. Keep it simple. Keep it low carbon.

Want to spend some time exploring fascinating museums and trendy shops and looking for more information on how to travel by train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly? Start your journey here! 

Usually, the journey from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly by train takes around 1h 13m, but can be as quick as 50m on the fastest TransPennine Express services. As there are around 61 direct trains available from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly, you don’t need to worry about changing along the journey either.  

On this route, you’ll board a train at Leeds station. Once you’ve found your seat, you can take advantage of the onboard amenities including free WiFi and comfortable seating. In just 50 minutes, you will travel through 36 miles of Great British countryside and arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station.  

After exiting the station, you’re just a short walk from the city centre. From here, you can easily reach Manchester’s most popular landmarks including the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery and National Football Museum. For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best things to do in Manchester.  

If you’d like to snap up the cheapest train tickets, try travelling Off-Peak, as tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times. Also, if you tend to travel by train a few times a year, why not get a Railcard? You’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.  

Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today for cheap train tickets from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly. If you’d like to find out more about the journey first, keep reading for our timetable, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs including first and last train times.

*Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly? 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 Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly take?

The average journey time by train between Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly is 1 hour and 14 minutes, with around 70 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 Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly is 56 minutes.

How much does the train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly cost?

Train ticket prices from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly can start from as little as £3.70 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 Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly without having to change trains. There are 70 direct trains from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly leave?

The first train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly leaves at 02:31. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly leave?

The last train from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly leaves at 02:30. 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 Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly by train?

Trains travelling from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly cover a distance of around 36 miles (57 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds.

Cheap train tickets from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly

Train tickets from Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly start at £3.70 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 Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly 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 blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Leeds to Manchester on a TransPennine Express train

My journey from Leeds to Manchester took just over an hour. I travelled on a TransPennine Express train, the main operator of services on the Leeds-Manchester route.

I was travelling with an Off-Peak single ticket, meaning I had lots of choices over which train I took. I had to be in Manchester by 5 pm, so I took the 15:45 service. I stated my seat preference on Trainline and could therefore secure a seat reservation; window-side and forward-facing is always my choice. Combined with my 16-25 Railcard I got a very good price on my ticket.

The journey

The journey went by very smoothly. I made use of the free WiFi on board, which was serviceable if a little slow in places. The scenery on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border is very pleasant, although I spent most of the journey with my nose in a book!

I was travelling in Standard Class, which was perfectly comfortable, but I also had a peek into First Class. Seats were arranged in a 2+1 formation, and they looked to be roomier and more comfortable than Standard Class seats. Nonetheless, Standard Class served my purposes just fine!

Arriving into Manchester

Manchester Piccadilly is conveniently located in the city centre. I was meeting a friend in the Northern Quarter so the station couldn’t have been better placed to meet them. A short walk up the road got me to the trendy bars and shops to begin my weekend in Manchester.

About Freddie

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly.

† 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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