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Trip Summary
There are 16 daily trains from Manchester to Leicester. Traveling by train from Manchester to Leicester usually takes around 3 hours, but the fastest TransPennine Express + Connections train can make the trip in 2 hours and 4 minutes.
| Distance | 74 mi (119 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 4m |
| Lowest price | £53.37 |
| Most frequent service | TransPennine Express + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Leicester?
There are 4 train lines with service from Manchester to Leicester. TransPennine Express + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 7 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 3 | 2h 47m | £59.93 |
| East Midlands Trains | 4 | 3h 42m | £63.21 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 2 | 3h 11m | £57.81 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 7 | 2h 39m | £58.96 |
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Manchester to Leicester usually takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 3 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
East Midlands Trains train tickets from Manchester to Leicester start from £53, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 East Midlands Trains schedules to Leicester. East Midlands Trains in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Leicester trains arrive at Leicester Train Station .
From Manchester to Leicester train travel on East Midlands Trains takes 3 hours and 42 minutes. If you are looking to get to Leicester faster, East Midlands Trains offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Leicester start from £58, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Leicester. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Leicester trains arrive at Leicester Train Station .
From Manchester to Leicester train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 3 hours and 11 minutes. If you are looking to get to Leicester faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Leicester start from £53, and on average cost . Daily there are 7 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Leicester. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport and one other station. And in Leicester trains arrive at Leicester Train Station .
From Manchester to Leicester train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 2 hours and 39 minutes. If you are looking to get to Leicester faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Manchester to Leicester tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 16 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Leicester to Manchester.
City Information
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Leicester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 endeavours, 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 coaches. If you're travelling from further afield, East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport are both close to Leicester.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Manchester Piccadilly
As the city's main train station, Manchester Piccadilly receives regular trains from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Liverpool. It has 14 platforms, with platforms 13 and 14 positioned away from the main concourse and accessed via a moving walkway. The mezzanine level contains a variety of shops and food outlets. Travellers can also access Metrolink trams on the Blue, Yellow, and Purple lines by descending into the lower level. The area around the station hosts plenty of parking, several hotels, and a variety of food options.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Airport
Where is the train station in Leicester?
Image credit: Steve Knight
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Leicester Train Station
Opened in 1840, Leicester Train Station is recognizable by its corner clocktower on London Road above the main entrance. As the city's primary rail station, it receives regular CrossCountry trains to Birmingham and East Midlands Railway services to Sheffield and London. Passengers access platforms via over-track footbridges from the main concourse, which has amenities including several restaurants and public restrooms. Passengers can await their train's arrival in the large waiting room. Local buses stop at stands outside the main entrance to connect with the rest of Leicester.
Train stations in Leicester:
Leicester Train Station
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Need a return trip from Leicester to Manchester?
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