How to get from Manchester to Leeds: Train, coach or car?

Quickest way from Manchester to Leeds: Driving (traffic can add to journey time, though)

Cheapest way from Manchester to Leeds: Train

Our recommendation: We consider the train to be the best way to travel from Manchester to Leeds. Taking the train only takes slightly longer than driving, while offering better value compared to both other options when booked in advance. You can enjoy the comfort and convenience of taking the train and avoid cramped buses and traffic when driving.

Taking the train from Manchester to Leeds is a fast, convenient way to arrive at your destination. All train services from Manchester arrive at Leeds station in the city centre, landing you in a strategic location for whatever you have planned. As for your departure, there are several options in terms of departing station and train operators. 

Manchester Victoria to Leeds

Both TransPennine Express and Northern run trains from Manchester Victoria to Leeds. TPE trains from Victoria are the quickest way to reach Leeds, usually taking 45–55 minutes. These trains make fewer stops, so this route is ideal for passengers wishing to travel directly between the two cities.

Services from Manchester Victoria run approximately every 30 minutes, but the station is usually less busy, so you can enjoy a simpler station experience. Northern routes from here are also usually cheaper and stop at more intermediate stations, which can be useful if you’re heading to or from a smaller town along the way, in addition to Leeds.

Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds

TransPennine Express also serves the Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds route. Journey times typically hover around 1 hr 30 min, with approximately 86 trains running this route daily, both with changes and direct. When booked in advance and during off-peak hours, tickets can be found for as little as £3.80.

Services from Manchester Piccadilly run every hour or so, and the station is the city’s largest, meaning you can benefit from a wider range of shops, cafes and waiting areas. These benefits, combined with TPE’s comfortable service, make this route ideal for business travellers.

You can enjoy cheap travel from Manchester to Leeds by train when you apply your Railcard discount when booking via the Trip.com app. 

Travelling from Manchester to Leeds by bus is a great option for when you need to arrange last-minute travel, as ticket prices do not rise as steeply for late bookings as train fares do. It also allows you to forget about parking and navigating, while also still offering a relatively comfortable experience.

Coaches from Manchester to Leeds depart from multiple stops around the city, including Manchester Shudehill Interchange, Manchester Central Coach Station, Manchester New Moston and Manchester Miles Platting. The majority of buses arrive at the central Leeds Bus Station, with some connections stopping at the slightly more southern Great Wilson Street, which is convenient for visitors heading to Crown Point Shopping Centre.

Coach services are operated by both FlixBus and National Express, which usually offer free Wi-Fi, charging points and reclining seats. You’ll find the cheapest bus tickets from Manchester to Leeds at about £4.10, with average prices usually hovering between £7 and £10.

When travelling from Manchester to Leeds by car, the journey usually takes between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes, depending on traffic and weather. However, congestion near Huddersfield and Leeds ring roads at peak times can often add to this journey time. 

The 72 km (45-mile) journey follows the M62 for the majority of the route. You won’t come across any tolls on this road, so your expenses of £10–£15 each way will be on fuel and will vary depending on your vehicle and fuel prices.

Driving from Manchester to Leeds allows you to enjoy a flexible schedule and is particularly a good choice when travelling with up to 4 passengers (or however many your vehicle can fit), as costs remain the same whether you travel as 1 or 5. However, you’ll also have to contend with traffic and possible weather challenges, as well as factoring in the hassle of parking, which comes at an additional cost.

Leeds offers many car parks and Park & Ride facilities for you to choose from. We recommend the Elland Road Park & Ride, which is just off the M621 and allows you to avoid driving into the city; or the Temple Green Park & Ride, which is slightly further north off the M1 but offers a modern site with electric charging, toilets and covered waiting areas.