4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Leicester to Manchester
Cheapest price
€27
Average price
€48
Fastest journey
1 h 55 m
Average duration
2 h 25 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leicester to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Manchester will cost around €48 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €27.
Of the 5 trains that leave Leicester for Manchester on Mon, Dec 15, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 15 the direct trains cover the 119 km distance in an average of 2 h 25 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 55 m .
On Mon, Dec 15 the slowest trains will take 2 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Leicester to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €8, and a train costs an average of €17.
Distance: 119 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus |
|---|---|
€55 Average price | €17 Average price Cheapest |
2h 31m Average total duration Fastest 2h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 12m Average total duration 3h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Leicester to Manchester train times
The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Manchester trains for today, Sunday, December 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C75398 · C72320 | On time 12:50 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2h39 | 3:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| C72529 · C72324 | On time 1:20 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2h40 | 4:00 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
C72529+ W05536+ W02527 | On time 1:20 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2h24 | 3:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 transfers | |
| Monday, December 15 | |||||
| 5:18 AM Leicester | 3h12 | 8:30 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 6:06 AM Leicester | 2h26 | 8:32 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 7:09 AM Leicester | 2h23 | 9:32 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 7:50 AM Leicester | 2h39 | 10:29 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Manchester by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 15
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Leicester to Manchester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Leicester to Manchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Leicester to Manchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €17 but you can travel from only €8 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 01:49, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 119 km distance in 1h 55m.
Distance 119 km |
Average train duration 2h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price €17 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 1h 55m |
First train 01:49 |
Last train 23:56 |
Train companies: East Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country from Leicester to Manchester trainsEast Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, east_midlands_trains, Cross Country trains will get you between Leicester and Manchester from €8. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
West Midlands Trains
east_midlands_trains
Cross Country
Trains from Leicester to Manchester
There are trains between Leicester and Manchester every hour on this busy route operated by Cross Country, Virgin and East Midlands Trains, making it easy to travel on a flexible basis. The journey is also quick, with many trains arriving in less than two hours.
Which train companies travel from Leicester to Manchester?
Trains from Leicester Rail Station to Manchester Piccadilly are operated by Cross Country, Virgin and East Midlands Trains and each operator tends to run one service an hour. The cheapest service is run by Cross Country and mobile ticketing is available on the service for added convenience.
How long is the train from Leicester to Manchester?
The train journey from Leicester to Manchester usually has one change, either at Sheffield or Birmingham. It can be as short as one and a half hours, but most services tend to average out at two hours. Some journeys are a little longer, but few exceed two hours and 45 minutes.
How many trains are there from Leicester to Manchester?
Trains between Leicester Railway Station operate from 6:00 a.m. through to around 10:00 p.m. each day, including weekends. There are some occasions where there are two train services scheduled from different operators, so customers will find plenty of choice on this busy and well-served route.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Leicester to Manchester?
Departure train station: Leicester Railway Station was refurbished in 2012 and has an attractive open-plan layout that is designed to be accessible to all travellers. Facilities include a first class lounge, ticket facilities, a seating area, trolleys, a coffee shop and newsagent, ticket office, ATMs and easy connections to onward travel. There is a taxi rank directly outside and local parking. The city centre shops and other attractions are just a short walk away.
Arrival train station: Manchester Piccadilly is the main train station in Manchester and is located in the city centre. The station has toilets and shower rooms (with change machines for the fee), ATMs, retail and supermarket outlets, coffee shops, newsagents, seating areas, ticketing facilities and more. Passengers can make their onward journey via the taxi rank from outside the station, take the Metro which runs from underneath the train station or take a short walk to the city bus stations in Piccadilly Gardens.
FAQs: Trains from Leicester to Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester to Manchester by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Leicester, which is located around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Manchester Piccadilly, located 0.5 miles (766 m) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Leicester to Manchester
WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:20 - 22:30 Saturday 05:20 - 22:30 Sunday 07:15 - 22:30
- Car Park: Short stay car park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the main entrance and lifts to all platforms. Customers with wheelchairs who require assistance on graduated slopes should press the ticket gate 'assistance' button located at the bottom of the stairs near the self service ticket machines. To ensure availability of staff to assist, it is imperative that customers book assistance in advance. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms and at the bottom of all staircases.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on the Main Concourse, Platform 1/2 and Platform 3/4. The National key toilets are located on Platform 1/2 and Platform 3/4; these toilets are operated by a radar key. The radar key is available from the Duty Manager located on the end of Platform 3/4.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle hub situated on the lower floor (old Red Star parcels area) which can be accessed via the lift located to the left of the Customer Information desk. Stands also available in main car park and station front near short stay car park.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Coaches leave from the Station front
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeBike Parking
- Car Park: No
- Cabral's Restaurant Brazilian Street Food and Grocery Store
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category C station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station , To Manchester : up 47 steps onto the platform. To Glossop/Sheffield : up 47 steps onto the Manchester platform, turn right and up 31 steps, across the footbridge (15 paces) and down 31 steps onto the platform
- Accessible taxis: contact Customer Relations 08002006060
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Pottery Lane (A6010) under railway bridge.
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
ParkingDining
TaxisAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:20 - 23:40 Sunday 08:10 - 23:30
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: Free Metro shuttle bus link from station front serving Manchester City centre including Victoria Station On both sides of Whitworth Street, Deansgate and Chester Road for buses to Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham or Sale. Contact Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Whitworth St.
- Metro: Metrolink G-Mex tram stop linked by footbridge from Manchester platform. 0161 228 7811
WifiLockersParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation DeskLuggage Carts- 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7, accessible via Wilmslow Road.
- The Didsbury
- The Gateway
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- £0.30
- Travelodge Manchester Didsbury
- Premier Inn Manchester Didsbury
- Eleven Didsbury Park Hotel
- Located near the ticket office
- Free
- Hall 1: entrance and ticket office
- Hall 2: access to platforms
- Tram: Metrolink East Didsbury Line
- Bus: Several lines available including 42, 142, 50
Most popular train connections from Leicester
More options for your journey from Leicester to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Manchester and Leicester
Most popular train connections to Manchester
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