Trains from London to Leicester from €17.32

If you're planning a journey to Leicester, you're in good company. Every day, tens of thousands of passengers arrive in the UK's eighth-largest city, and, with a quick journey time on London to Leicester trains, it's the obvious way to travel. We've put together all the info you need to purchase your London to Leicester train tickets and get the most from your next trip!

What station in London goes to Leicester?

You'll start your journey at London St Pancras International Station. This station - arguably London's most beautiful - was refurbished in the 2000s to accommodate Eurostar services to Europe, hence its name. Its status means that it has facilities akin to an airport. In fact, it probably has more retail options than any other London station.

The concourse is home to extensive retail, café and restaurant facilities that essentially amount to a small arcade. For those with deeper pockets, there is even an iconic champagne bar on the first floor! Most services are open into the evening or even until late at night, with the station itself staying open 24 hours.

If you need to reach St Pancras on the tube, you'll take the shared Kings Cross St Pancras Underground Station (since the two rail stations are next door neighbours). You can catch trains on the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, so there are plenty of options.

The station is well served by buses, too, with no fewer than 13 routes serving the station. Several are 24-hour services, which is handy for early starts and late arrivals!

How much is the train ticket from London to Leicester?

If you book advance tickets and pick quieter times, the London to Leicester train price can be just €17.32. Naturally, prices vary depending on demand for a particular service. Opt for First Class travel, or go at peak times, and you'll pay for the privilege.

To find out how to purchase London train tickets, search our Journey Planner. Once you've entered your requirements, you'll be able to easily compare prices of all the appropriate trains on one page!

Is it possible to commute on a London to Leicester train?

While it will depend on your circumstances, it is totally feasible to commute between London and Leicester. The distance from London to Leicester by train is nearly 90 miles, and most services take between 1h 3m and 1h 15m to make the journey. If you don't have too far to travel at either end, it could make even more sense. If you have complicated onward connections on local transport, though, it might be better suited to those who have a hybrid work arrangement, rather than people who need to travel every day.

On weekday mornings, the first trains leave London very early, so there are plenty of trains that will reach Leicester before the start of the workday. Trains begin running much later on Sundays, though.

If you're travelling to Leicester late at night, trains keep running until late into the evening, reaching Leicester in the small hours. Again, times can vary on weekends. With around 70 trains per day, however, there are plenty of options available.

If you're planning a commute, be sure to check out our season ticket page. They're a lot less hassle than constantly buying individual tickets, and they could save you money!

What is it like on the London to Leicester train?

Services over the London to Leicester City distance are operated by East Midlands Railway, who run most trains on the Midland Main Line. Refreshments are available for First Class ticket holders on each service, but only some services have a refreshments trolley in Standard Class. As you would expect, accessible toilets and cycle spaces are available on every train (but the latter do need to be booked in advance).

The current rolling stock on this route is being replaced with new 'Aurora' trains, which bring more seats, better-designed interiors, free Wi-Fi and plug sockets.

To find out more about the trains used on this route, check out our in-depth guide to East Midlands Railway.

Are there other ways to reach Leicester?

If you fancy exploring other ways of travelling, then why not expand your search to include London to Leicester coach services? It takes longer to make the journey, but fares can be quite a bit cheaper.

What if you're arriving in London by air for onward travel to Leicester? Heathrow Airport is geographically closer to Leicester than Gatwick Airport, but both are roughly the same in terms of overall travel time to Leicester - in the region of two hours.

What is there to enjoy in Leicester?

A settlement has existed in Leicester since before Roman times, so there is a wealth of history to enjoy. In the Victorian era, Leicester was a city of garment manufacturing - so much so that the people of the area held a common belief that Leicester 'clothed the world'.

One of the most famous developments of the Victorian era was sanitation, and nowhere is this brought into sharper focus than the Abbey Pumping Station, which tells the story of how a pair of steam engines cleaned up the city and saved countless lives.

Leicester is also now famous for another rather grisly piece of history. In 2012, archaeologists discovered the remains of King Richard III, the last English king to be killed in battle, in an unmarked grave which was by then the site of a car park. The body was reburied in Leicester Cathedral in a simple but imposing tomb that is now on display. A visitor centre near the cathedral tells the story of how the king was located.

One of the more unusual things to do in the city is to visit the National Space Centre. You can see actual moon rock and real space rockets, housed in a 42-metre-tall tower. Plus, you can explore the mysteries of infinity at one of the pre-bookable shows in the UK's largest planetarium.

There are, of course, plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants in the city centre - perfect for grabbing essential refreshments before catching your return train!

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.