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Trains from Leicester to London

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East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast

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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.
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Trains to London from Leicester

It takes an average of 1h 23m to travel from Leicester to London by train, over a distance of around 88 miles (142 km). There are normally 131 trains per day travelling from Leicester to London and tickets for this journey start from £15.90 when you book in advance.

First train

03:43

Last train

22:52

Departure stationLeicester
Arrival stationLondon
Journey time

From 1h 3m

Distance

88 miles (142 km)

Frequency

131 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £15.90

Train operators

East Midlands Railway

Travelling from Leicester to London by train in just 1 hour

Thinking of taking a trip to the capital of England need more information on how to travel from Leicester to London by train? Look no further! 

On average, the train journey from Leicester to London takes around 1h 26m, but can take just 1h 3m on the fastest East Midlands Railway services. With around 95 direct trains running on this popular route each day, you can make yourself comfortable as you don’t need to worry about changing along the way.  

When travelling on this route, you’ll board a train at Leicester station. Once you’ve found your seat, you can start to enjoy the onboard amenities included on East Midlands Railway services, including free WiFi and comfortable seating. Fancy travelling in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll take advantage of reclining seats, free newspapers and complimentary food and drink. After a little over an hour, you will have travelled the 88 miles from Leicester to London and will arrive at London St Pancras station. 

Once you’ve stepped off the train, you can start soaking up the city’s vibrant culture and visiting its iconic landmarks. There are so many things to see and do in London, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 best things to do in London, including a trip to the Shard and the Victoria and Albert Museum.  

Want to save money on your train tickets? Try travelling Off-Peak, as trains are generally cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. Also, you can get yourself a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.  

Feeling ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Leicester in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. Continue reading for more information, including our timetable where you’ll see first and last train times, FAQs and tips on how to find cheaper train fares.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Leicester to London?

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

How do you travel to London from Leicester?

To get to London from Leicester, why not take the train? With 131 trains per day and an average journey time of 1 hour and 23 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. You can also catch the bus from Leicester to London. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Leicester to London by train?

On average, it takes around 1 hour and 23 minutes to travel from Leicester to London by train, although you can get there in 1 hour and 3 minutes on the fastest services. With 131 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Leicester to London?

The price of a train ticket from Leicester to London can start from as little as £15.90, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

How fast can trains travel from Leicester to London?

The fastest time a train can travel the 88 miles (142 km) from Leicester to London is 1 hour and 3 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Leicester to London?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from Leicester to London start at £15.90§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

4. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

6. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Leicester to London is right for you.

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.

A day trip from Leicester to London

We arrive at Leicester train station nice and early, excited to spend the day in London. We get there around 20 minutes before our 10:03 train is due to leave, so have time to grab a coffee and a croissant to snack on during the journey, then we head down to the platform to wait for the train.

As the train pulls up, I’m glad to see it’s one of the newer trains, so we’ll have comfier seats and plug sockets at our table. One of the great things about EMR trains from Leicester to London is that certain services have no stops along the way, so once we leave Leicester, we only have just over an hour to wait until we reach St Pancras.

We whizz through towns and countryside on our way down to London, we’ve got a table seat so have plenty of space to stretch out, relax and watch the world go by as we make our way through Market Harborough, Bedford and eventually into the London suburbs, where we spot the arch of Wembley Stadium out of the window to our right.

All East Midlands Railway services arrive into the upper level of St Pancras station, so once we step off the train, we’re torn between heading straight for the champagne bar in front of us (a great way to start a day out in London, no?) or heading down the escalators to hop to the Underground at the other end of the station.

The trip by train was quick, comfortable and we saved a bit of money when booking as we used a Two Together Railcard. What’s not to like?

About Jorja

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

† 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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