Trains from Doncaster to Leeds from £1.05

The train from Doncaster to Leeds takes around 30 minutes on the fast services and there are 3 trains per hour. LNER and Northern are the main operators. Whether you're commuting, shopping, or watching Leeds United play at Elland Road, here's a helpful guide to this train route.

Planning and booking

You can book Doncaster to Leeds train tickets at great prices right here on Trip.com - just use the search bar at the top of this page to compare times and fares. Below you'll find some useful tips to keep in mind when booking:

Times and frequency

On weekdays, the first train leaves at 05:58 and gets in at 06:46. If you're heading to work, the 07:50 gets you there for 08:23 - the 08:19 departure could also work if your office is near Leeds station.

There are 3 services per hour during the day - usually around 15, 25 and 45 minutes past (give or take a minute, so always double-check). Trains run until late evening too, which is great if you're catching a show or going out in Leeds. Saturdays follow roughly the same timetable as weekdays. On Sunday, the first train goes at 08:27 and there are 2 to 3 trains per hour after that.

Operators

• Northern: There's 1 Northern train per hour, leaving around 26 minutes past. The service starts in Doncaster and terminates in Leeds, with 7 stops on the way and a journey time of around 45 minutes. It takes longer than LNER's train but fares are often cheaper. Wi-Fi and plug sockets may be available on some (but not all) trains. First Class is not available.
• London North Eastern Railway (LNER): 2 LNER trains operate per hour. Both come from London King's Cross, while one goes to Bradford, the other to Harrogate. The journey time is around 30 minutes on each and they stop just once between Doncaster and Leeds. First Class is available if you fancy treating yourself, too.

What you'll pay

Train ticket prices for Doncaster to Leeds start from £1.05 - but you need to book early and avoid peak times to get that price. If you commute, peak fares apply.

How to save money

• Railcards: For a small annual fee, you'll save a third on rail travel. You need to be eligible, with some of the most common Railcards being for young people (16-25 Railcard) or over 60s (Senior Railcard).
• Season tickets: Commute to Leeds three times a week or more? Then you should consider a Season Ticket, as you could save around 20% or more. There are weekly, monthly and annual passes available.
• Off-Peak travel: Travel after 9:30 am on weekdays or anytime at weekends for cheaper rail fares — perfect for Saturday shopping trips to the Victoria Quarter or Sunday afternoons at Leeds Dock. Keen to learn more? Check out our page on Off-Peak travel.
• Split Tickets: Sometimes buying separate tickets for bits of your journey (like Doncaster to Wakefield, then Wakefield to Leeds) works out cheaper than one ticket, even though you stay on the same train. Our Split Ticket guide explains more.

What to expect from your journey to Leeds from Doncaster

Travelling with bikes

If you plan to cycle to your next destination within Leeds, keep in mind that the different operators on this route have different policies. On LNER, you don't need to book a bike space, but it's worth doing as space is limited. Northern has 2 bike spaces per train allocated on a first-come, first-served basis - you can't reserve these in advance.

Check our post on taking bikes on trains for more information.

Getting to Doncaster

There are 2 main car parks at Doncaster - the one at Frenchgate Shopping Centre is short stay only, while West Street Station Car Park is both short and long stay. There are also 6 accessible spaces right outside the main entrance.

There are countless bus routes from across Doncaster that stop close to the station. From Doncaster South Park and Ride and Rossington, take the 355 and X4. If you're near Doncaster Royal Infirmary, routes 381, 382, 384, 384a, 387, 387a and 388 will get you to the station, while from the Doncaster Rovers stadium, you can catch the 56.

Getting around Leeds

For the main shopping areas like Briggate, The Headrow, Victoria Quarter or Trinity Leeds, it's a 5 to 10 minute walk from the station. If you'd rather take a bus, head to City Square at stop I and catch the 16, 19, 19A, 42, 50, 51 or 56. You'll want to jump off at Headrow or Corn Exchange.

Leeds Kirkgate Market is about 10 to 12 minutes on foot through the Trinity and Briggate area. Granary Wharf is close, too - just 2 to 3 minutes behind the station via the riverside exit. Leeds Dock is around 15 minutes away, while the University of Leeds campus is also a 20-minute walk.

Book your Doncaster to Leeds tickets now

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