Cheap bus tickets from Derby to Leicester
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Derby to Leicester: Journey Information
There are 17 intercity buses per day from Derby to Leicester. Travelling by bus from Derby to Leicester usually takes around 1 hour and 23 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 50 minutes.
- Distance
- 24 mi (39 km)
- Shortest duration
- 50m
- Cheapest price
- $11.72
- Trips per day
- 17
- Most frequent service
- National Express
- Bus lines
- 1
Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:
Derby to Leicester Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Derby to Leicester:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Derby to Leicester?
Bus tickets for a trip from Derby to Leicester cost about $14 when you book at the cheapest time, 4 days ahead. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Derby to Leicester by month
Travelling from Derby to Leicester by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $14 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance is the best way to find cheap bus tickets, even if it’s only by a few days.
What bus companies travel from Derby to Leicester?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Derby to Leicester. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express | 17 | 1h 23m | $14.50 |
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travellers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, washrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Derby to Leicester
There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from Derby to Leicester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Derby to Leicester without transferring.
Trips per day
17
Direct trips
17
The bus takes an average of 1 hour and 23 minutes to cover the 39 kilometres from Derby to Leicester. However, the fastest bus only takes 50 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Distance (mi)
24
Distance (km)
39
The first bus leaves at 12:10 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 10:10 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Derby to Leicester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:10am
Latest bus
10:10pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Leicester at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Leicester



Leicester, located in the county of Leicestershire in the East Midlands, is a city with much to explore. Leicester's cultural diversity and large student population mean the city is filled with a wide variety of experiences.
Leicester Cathedral and Belvoir Castle are a must-visit for those looking to discover the past. Leicester is also famous for being the final resting place of King Richard III, with a visitor centre built around the location to tell the story of one of the most famous monarchs in English history. For a broader look at history, try the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the Mesozoic era as well as Ancient Egypt.
If your interests lie more in futuristic endeavors, visit the National Space Centre to take a trip through time and space. Leicester is also home to many traditional English pubs and quaint cafes, making it a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.
Leicester is easily accessible by train, with Leicester Rail Station serving East Midlands and Thameslink trains. St Margaret's Bus Station is located centrally and serves National Express buses. If you're travelling from further afield, East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport are both close to Leicester.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Derby?
Main departure station: The Cock Pitt - Bus Station
Most buses depart from the main station in Derby.
All bus stations in Derby:
- The Cock Pitt - Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Leicester?
Main arrival station: Leicester St Margarets Bus Station
All buses from Derby arrive at one main station in Leicester.
All bus stations in Leicester:
- Leicester St Margarets Bus Station
Need a return trip from Leicester to Derby?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.




