Leicester to Manchester train with East Midlands Trains

Sat, Nov 29
+ Add return
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ travel companies
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Leicester to Manchester

Showing times and prices for Dec 01

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

Cheap tickets

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.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Leicester for Manchester on Mon, Dec 01, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Mon, Dec 01 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 01 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.

Northern Rail (3)
06:06AM2h26
Leicester
08:32AMManchester
271One-way
0 transfers
CrossCountry
07:50AM2h39
Leicester
10:29AMManchester
421One-way
0 transfers
CrossCountry
05:18AM3h12
Leicester
08:30AMManchester
551One-way
0 transfers
CrossCountry
09:50AM2h40
Leicester
12:30PMManchester
551One-way
0 transfers
TransPennine Express
10:37PM5h16
Leicester
03:53AMManchester
601One-way
0 transfers

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

East Midlands Trains

Most popular train company

National Express

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, November 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 12:57 AM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
east_midlands_railwayY07203 · Y07538
On time
10:15 AM Leicester station (LEI)
2h21
12:36 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer
east_midlands_railwayY07209 · Y07539
On time
10:54 AM Leicester station (LEI)
2h42
1:36 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer
cross_countryC23607 · C23391
On time
11:17 AM Leicester station (LEI)
3h12
2:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer
cross_countryC23607+avanti_west_coastW09642
On time
11:17 AM Leicester station (LEI)
1h45
1:02 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer
east_midlands_railwayG03476+transpennine_expressC27102
On time
11:54 AM Leicester station (LEI)
2h09
2:03 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer
cross_countryC23611+avanti_west_coastW09652
On time
12:20 PM Leicester station (LEI)
1h59
2:19 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 transfer

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.

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Leicester to Manchester?

The best time to book your train from Leicester to Manchester is 42 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Leicester to Manchester route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Leicester to Manchester per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Leicester to Manchester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Leicester to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

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.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from €8
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
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from €8

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

About
East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 12m
Cheapest Price
€41
East Midlands Trains frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)
Quiet zone

CrossCountry

About
CrossCountry is a fast-speed train operator in the United Kingdom, offering both express and regional services across the country. Express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and XC Trains, provide quick and comfortable journeys with amenities like free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Regional services, including the CrossCountry Regional and Regional Express, make more local stops for a leisurely trip. Ticket options include Standard Class and First Class, as well as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak fares to suit different budgets and schedules. Popular routes include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 41m
Cheapest Price
€33
CrossCountry frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled services
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require ticket
Quiet zone

Northern Rail (3)

About
Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in the United Kingdom, headquartered in York. It runs local and commuter services across the north of England, connecting regions including the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and the Humber coastline. As part of the National Rail network, Northern operates under a coordinated fare and ticketing system alongside other UK train companies.Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime Day, single, return, and season tickets, with only one class option available: Standard. Onboard amenities may include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments on select services. Popular routes include connections between major northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 22m
Cheapest Price
€17
Northern Rail (3) frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
See refund policy for ticket types
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most services with drinks and snacks. Some stations have cafes and shops
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking advance tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

TransPennine Express

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 55m
Cheapest Price
€20
TransPennine Express frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 1m
Cheapest Price
€79
Avanti West Coast frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

West Midlands Trains

About
West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 24m
Cheapest Price
€79
West Midlands Trains frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket conditions
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for an additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs require a ticket at 50% of adult fare. Guide dogs travel free
Quiet zone

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 55m
Cheapest Price
€44
east_midlands_trains frequency
9 a day

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 43m
Cheapest Price
€130
Cross Country frequency
15 a day

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.

FAQs
The average journey time by train from Leicester to Manchester is 2 h 29 min   to travel the 119 km long journey, with around there are 50 trains per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.
The first train from Leicester to Manchester leaves at 06: 39. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last train from Leicester to Manchester leaves at 22: 56.
There are 50 trains a day from Leicester to Manchester which require at least one change with TransPennine Express, West Midland Trains, CrossCountry, Virgin Trains, East Midlands Trains or Northern Rail (3). Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer trains.
When taking a train from Leicester to Manchester, you can count on TransPennine Express, West Midland Trains, CrossCountry, Virgin Trains, East Midlands Trains or Northern Rail (3) for the best way to get you to Manchester. You can also check all possible train providers who offer a service between Leicester and Manchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.
No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 22: 56.

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.

The cheapest month to travel from Leicester to Manchester by train is February.
Yes, you can take a coach between Leicester and Manchester.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Leicester to Manchester

Leicester
Manchester
The major train station for departures in Leicester is Leicester. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Leicester for your trip from Leicester to Manchester.
LeicesterWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
phone
Phone Number
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:20 - 22:30 Saturday 05:20 - 22:30 Sunday 07:15 - 22:30
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Short stay car park
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • 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
WC
WC
  • 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
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • 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 Desk
Information Desk
  • 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
Public transit options for Leicester
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Coaches leave from the Station front

Most popular train connections from Leicester

HomeTrainsTrain Times to ManchesterLeicester to Manchester train

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