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Low prices found by our customers
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.

Manchester to Leeds by train

It takes an average of 1h 16m to travel from Manchester to Leeds by train, over a distance of around 36 miles (58 km). There are normally 314 trains per day travelling from Manchester to Leeds and tickets for this journey start from £3.70 when you book in advance.

First train

02:37

Last train

02:16

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Leeds

Journey time

From 47m

Distance

36 miles (58 km)

Frequency

314 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £3.70

Train operators

TransPennine Express

Travelling from Manchester to Leeds by train in less than an hour

🍃 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 swap Lancashire for Yorkshire and looking for more information on how to travel from Manchester to Leeds by train? Start your journey today! 

Generally, the train journey from Manchester to Leeds takes around 1 hour and 17 minutes, but can take just 49 minutes on the fastest services, with around 258 trains running on this route every day. As there are direct services provided by TransPennine Express and Northern Rail, you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the journey.  

On this route, you’ll hop on a train at either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria station. It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling with on a TransPennine Express or Northern Rail service, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities including free WiFi and comfortable seating. If you like to travel in style, upgrade to First Class. With TransPennine Express First Class, you’ll enjoy more spacious seating, reclining seats and complimentary food and drink.  

If you’d like to snap up the cheapest train fares, try booking an Off-Peak time – tickets are usually cheaper when you travel Off-Peak compared to taking the train at Peak times. If you’d like to save even more, get a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.  

Eager to book? Start a search with us today for cheap train tickets from Manchester to Leeds – just head to our Journey Planner at the top of the page. For more information about the journey, keep reading for our timetable to view live train times, FAQs and tips on how to book cheaper train fares. 

*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 Manchester to Leeds? 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 Manchester to Leeds take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester and Leeds is 1 hour and 16 minutes, with around 314 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 Manchester and Leeds by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester to Leeds is 47 minutes.

How much does the train from Manchester to Leeds cost?

Train ticket prices from Manchester to Leeds 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 Manchester to Leeds?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester to Leeds without having to change trains. There are 314 direct trains from Manchester to Leeds each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

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

The first train from Manchester to Leeds leaves at 02:37. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

The last train from Manchester to Leeds leaves at 02:16. 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 Manchester and Leeds by train?

Trains travelling from Manchester to Leeds cover a distance of around 36 miles (58 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

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

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Leeds

Train tickets from Manchester to Leeds 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 Manchester 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.

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.

Travelling from Manchester to Leeds by train

Our train to Leeds departed from Manchester Piccadilly station, the main railway station in Manchester and a major transport hub for the north of England. From the city centre, we walked to the station for about ten minutes. We got through the ticket gates after showing our digital tickets to the railway staff, and hopped on the train.

We had booked our Advance train tickets online as they were the cheapest option, and we were able to reserve our table seats too. With an Advance ticket, you can only catch the specific train listed on your ticket, so we made sure we boarded the TransPennine Express train departing from platform 1 at 11:35 we had booked online. As we were travelling Off-Peak, the train was quite empty; we just sat back and relaxed while watching the world go by.

We got from Manchester to Leeds in less than an hour. Leeds train station is only a few minutes away from the city’s main attractions, so we just got off our train and started exploring.

Overall, our train journey was quite comfortable and super quick – making only two stops at Stalybridge and Huddersfield, we reached Leeds before we even knew it, without having to worry about traffic nor parking.

About Paola

Paola, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Manchester and Leeds.

† 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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