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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.

Leicester to London by train

It takes an average of 1h 32m to travel from Leicester to London by train, over a distance of around 88 miles (142 km). There are normally 122 trains per day travelling from Leicester to London and tickets for this journey start from £15.20 when you book in advance.

First train

03:40

Last train

22:52

Departure station

Leicester

Arrival station

London

Journey time

From 1h 3m

Distance

88 miles (142 km)

Frequency

122 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £15.20

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.

Journey details

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 long does the train from Leicester to London take?

The average journey time by train between Leicester and London is 1 hour and 32 minutes, with around 122 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 Leicester and London by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Leicester to London is 1 hour and 3 minutes.

How much does the train from Leicester to London cost?

Train ticket prices from Leicester to London 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 Leicester to London?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Leicester to London without having to change trains. There are 122 direct trains from Leicester to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

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

The first train from Leicester to London leaves at 03:40. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

The last train from Leicester to London leaves at 22:52. 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 Leicester and London by train?

Trains travelling from Leicester to London 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 London to Leicester. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Leicester to London.

Cheap train tickets from Leicester to London

Train tickets from Leicester to London 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 Leicester to London 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.

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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