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Outbound fromLondon to Leeds by train
It takes an average of 2h 33m to travel from London to Leeds by train, over a distance of around 169 miles (272 km). There are normally 42 trains per day travelling from London to Leeds and tickets for this journey start from £21.10 when you book in advance.
Travel from London to Leeds by train in 2 hours and 10 minutes
Leeds is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in Northern England. Packed with museums, markets, shopping centres, performing arts centres and nightlife, this West Yorkshire city should be at the top of your list of places to visit in the UK. It’s also easy to get to from London—just over 2 hours away by train!
Direct trains from London to Leeds depart from London King’s Cross station and you’ll travel on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) trains. From there, trains arrive at Leeds station just over 2 hours later.
Onboard, you’ll enjoy a range of amenities, from free WiFi and plug sockets to food and drinks available for purchase from the onboard café. If you fancy an even more luxurious experience, you can upgrade your ticket to First Class and receive complimentary food and drink delivered straight to your table.
Once you arrive in Leeds, you’ll already be right in the city centre and only a quick walk from the top attractions. Leeds is home to fantastic art galleries and museums, including the Royal Armouries. You’ll also find excellent shopping opportunities at Trinity Leeds and historical market spots Kirkgate Market and Leeds Corn Exchange.
Ready to book? Head straight up to our journey planner at the top of the page and enter the dates and times you’d like to travel. We’ll take care of the rest. If you want to find out more about the journey and what to do when you arrive in Leeds, read on!
- Today’s train times
- LNER trains from London to Leeds
- LNER train classes from London to Leeds
- Onboard services from London to Leeds
- How to get to London King’s Cross station
- Everything you need to know about London King’s Cross station
- Arriving at Leeds station
- What to do in Leeds
- Where to travel next after Leeds
- LNER Simpler Fares
FAQs about the train journey from London to Leeds
Want to know more about your journey from London to Leeds? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Is there a direct train from London to Leeds?
How far is Leeds from London by train?
Can I get from London to Leeds without flying?
What is the best way to get from London to Leeds?
When is the first train from London to Leeds?
When is the last train from London to Leeds?
How often do trains run from London to Leeds?
How far in advance can I book tickets from London to Leeds?
Looking for a return trip from London to Leeds?
Cheap train tickets from London to Leeds
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 Leeds 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.
LNER trains from London to Leeds
If you’re taking a direct train from London to Leeds, you’ll be travelling on an LNER train.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
LNER has been operating on the East Coast Main Line since June 2018 and is the only train company offering direct high-speed trains between London and Leeds. With its fleet of new Azuma trains, LNER offers frequent services and gives you the choice between Standard and First Class tickets.
Learn more about LNER trains.
LNER train classes from London to Leeds
Compare the seating classes on LNER trains in a bit more detail.
Standard Class
Standard Class seats are either arranged airline style with two seats next to each other on either side of the central aisle or with four seats around a table. These amenities come as standard:
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Plug sockets |
✔ |
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Free WiFi |
✔ |
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Table at every seat (fold-down or fixed) |
✔ |
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Luggage storage |
✔ |
First Class
First Class seats are arranged with four seats around a table, two seats side by side, two seats facing each other, or one seat on its own. You’ll benefit from these additional amenities:
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Complimentary food and drinks |
✔ |
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Plenty of legroom |
✔ |
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Larger tables |
✔ |
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Reclining seats |
✔ |
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Plug sockets and USB outlets at seats |
✔ |
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Ambient lighting |
✔ |
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LNER’s best-ever WiFi connection |
✔ |
Onboard services from London to Leeds
Here are the services to expect on board LNER trains, as well as rules and restrictions.
Food and drink
Luggage
Entertainment
Pets
Bikes
Travelling with children
Special Assistance
How to get to London King’s Cross station
Your train to Leeds will depart from London King’s Cross station. Here’s how to get there.
London King’s Cross station is directly north of Central London and is easily accessible by public transport—you can even walk there if you’re up for it!
- By tube: King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station is served by six Tube lines: the Hammersmith and City (pink), Circle (yellow), Metropolitan (magenta), Northern (black), Piccadilly (dark blue) and Victoria (light blue) lines.
- By bus: There are 13 daytime bus routes which serve King's Cross station: 17, 30, 46, 63, 73, 91, 205, 214, 259, 390, 476, 748 Green Line, A8.
- By taxi: It will most likely be more expensive to take a taxi than public transport, but if you opt for a cab, there is a drop-off point just outside the station's side entrance on Pancras Road.
- By car: There is a Click and Park car park across the road at London St Pancras International station. It has 315 spaces and is open and staffed 24/7.
- By bike: You'll find sheltered and CCTV-monitored cycle storage in the station at Platforms 1, 8 and 9. There are 204 spaces in total.
Everything you need to know about King's Cross station
Did you know? London King’s Cross station opened in 1852.
Facilities
You’ll find the following facilities in King’s Cross station:
- Toilets (including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities)
- Cash machines
- Left luggage
- Waiting room
- Cafes, shops and restaurants
- Luggage trolleys
LNER First Class Lounge
Travelling in First Class with LNER from London to Leeds? You can unwind in their newly redesigned First Class Lounge at London King's Cross. The entrance is right next to Waitrose. Here's what you'll enjoy in the lounge:
- Comfortable modern seating
- Complimentary hot and cold drinks and light snacks
- TVs showing the latest news
- Free WiFi
- Wireless phone chargers
Arriving at Leeds station
Also known as Leeds City station, Leeds station is the busiest train station in the North of England.
Leeds station is right in the centre of the city—step outside and you’re no more than a 10-minute walk from most of the top attractions. If you want to take public transport to your final destination, there are a number of options.
- By train: From Leeds station, you can reach local towns and cities across West Yorkshire and beyond by train, including to Bradford, Wakefield and Harrogate.
- By bus: You can catch buses from nearby Boar Lane and Neville Street. The Leeds bus network serves the city centre and surrounding suburbs.
- By taxi: There is a taxi rank outside the station’s main entrance on New Station Street.
What to do in Leeds
Leeds was one of the powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution in England. Even on a quick walking tour of the city, you can explore the city’s rich history.
Shopping
A prosperous market town for its entire history, Leeds continues to offer fantastic options for retail therapy. The Trinity Shopping Centre is the go-to for a modern shopping experience, offering fashion and luxury brands as well as restaurants. If you’re looking for more independent retailers, Leeds Corn Exchange is the city’s old corn exchange in a beautiful 19th-century oval-shaped building. For more shopping in beautiful Victorian surroundings, explore the Kirkgate Market and Victoria Quarter.
Arts and Culture
The Leeds Art Gallery, The Henry Moore Institute and The Tetley are the top art galleries to visit in the city. Among museums, as well as the Leeds City Museum, Leeds Industrial Museum and Abbey House Museum, you’ll find the Royal Armouries Museum, which is the National Museum for arms and armour in the UK (entrance free). The Grand Theatre is the home of Opera North.
Where to travel next after Leeds
Leeds is an excellent jumping-off point to explore the North of England. Check out our guide to 8 of the best day trips from Leeds. Also, scroll through some of the most popular train routes from Leeds for more inspiration:
Enjoy Simpler Fares from London to Newcastle with LNER
LNER’s new Simpler Fares pilot has launched on the journey between London and Newcastle. From 16th January 2024, there are now just three ticket types available to buy for travel from 5th February 2024, to make planning your journey easier:
Advance (non-flexible)
Tis ticket remains the same and is valid for a specific time and date that you book in advance. Find out more about Advance train tickets.
70min Flex (semi-flexible)
This new ticket type is valid for a single journey and allows you to travel on any LNER service that departs up to 70 minutes before or after your original booked train. Like Advance tickets, you’ll have a seat reservation on your original booked train, but can simply board another valid train and find an available seat with your 70min Flex ticket.
Anytime (fully-flexible)
This ticket remains the same and is valid on any service within the booked date validity. Find out more about Anytime train tickets.
Can I book the 70min Flex ticket on Trainline?
Yes you can! Once you make a search for times and tickets, you’ll be able to find the new 70min Flex ticket in the ‘Compare all ticket types’ section on our website and ‘First Class and more’ section on our app.
