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London North Eastern Railway
Avanti West Coast

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London to Leeds by train

It takes an average of 2h 42m to travel from London to Leeds by train, over a distance of around 169 miles (272 km). There are normally 39 trains per day traveling from London to Leeds and tickets for this journey start from $26.15 when you book in advance.

First train

4:29 am

Last train

11:33 pm

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Leeds

Journey time

From 2h 10m

Distance

169 miles (272 km)

Frequency

39 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $26.15

Train operators

London North Eastern Railway

Traveling from London to Leeds by train in just over 2 hours

Considering a trip to Yorkshire and need more information on the journey by train from London to Leeds? Look no further! 

On average, the journey from London to Leeds by train takes around 2 hours and 32 minutes, although the fastest services will take you there in just 2 hours and 10 minutes. As there are around 39 direct trains running between these two cities each day, you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the way.  

When traveling on this route, you’ll board a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train at London Kings Cross station. Once you’ve settled in your seat, you can begin to enjoy the onboard amenities, such as comfortable seating, free WiFi, an onboard café, as well as luggage and bicycle storage. If you prefer to travel in style, why not upgrade to LNER First Class? You’ll enjoy all of the benefits of Standard Class, as well as extra legroom, reclining seats, power sockets and complimentary food and drink. In just over 2 hours, you will travel through the Great British countryside and arrive at Leeds station.  

As soon as you’ve arrived in Leeds, you can start to explore everything the city has to offer. Not sure where to begin? Read our expert guide to the best things to do in Leeds, including a trip to the Royal Armouries Museum and the Leeds Corn Exchange. Or if cricket's more your thing, find out everything you need to know about watching cricket in England, including in Leeds.

Hoping to book the cheapest train tickets? Try traveling during Off-Peak times, outside of morning/evening rush hours between Monday and Friday. To save even more, book an Advance ticket – they tend to be released 12 weeks prior to the departure date and are usually cheaper than purchasing tickets on the day of travel.  

Want to book? There’s no need to wait, start a search for cheap train tickets from London to Leeds in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. To find out more about the journey, read on for train timetables including first and last train times, FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train fares.  

FAQs for 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.

How long does the train from London to Leeds take?

The average journey time by train between London and Leeds is 2 hours and 42 minutes, with around 39 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 London and Leeds by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Leeds is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Leeds cost?

Train tickets from London to Leeds can start from as little as $26.15 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.

Is there a direct train from London to Leeds?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Leeds without having to change trains. There are 39 direct trains from London 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 London to Leeds leave?

The first train from London to Leeds leaves at 04:29. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

The last train from London to Leeds leaves at 23:33. 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 London and Leeds by train?

Trains travelling from London to Leeds cover a distance of around 169 miles (272 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Leeds to London.

Cheap train tickets from London to Leeds

Train tickets from London to Leeds start at $26.15 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 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.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

London to Leeds on an Azuma train

My journey from London to Leeds took just under two and a half from station to station. I travelled on one of LNER’s high-speed Azuma trains – a real treat for a train nerd such as myself!

The journey

I had booked an Advance ticket as it was the cheapest option, meaning I had to catch the specific train listed on my ticket. During the booking process I’d specified my seating preferences, so when I boarded I was happy to find that my seat was exactly where I wanted it: forward-facing and next to the window.

Standard Class is perfectly comfortable and served my purposes well. I had access to a fold-down table and a plug socket, and I also connected to the free onboard WiFi. This allowed me to get on with some work, which helped pass the time!

For the purposes of the review, I had a peek into First Class. The carriages are roomier with wider seats. Meals are included as part of the ticket (I was content with bringing my own food on board!) and the seats have plug sockets as well as stand-alone USB ports. Most of the passengers in First Class looked to be travelling on business and were therefore using the USB to charge their phone while their laptop charged in the socket. Suffice to say if the right deal came about, I’d love to travel First Class!

Arrival into London Kings Cross

We arrived into Kings Cross a few minutes late owing to upgrade works taking place on the East Coast Main Line. I was meeting a friend at Granary Square, a bustling canal-side spot with food trucks, which is located conveniently behind Kings Cross station. All in all, it was a very easy and convenient journey.

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Leeds.

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