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Trip Summary
There are 16 daily trains from Leicester to Manchester. Traveling by train from Leicester to Manchester usually takes around 2 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest East Midlands Trains + Connections train can make the trip in one hour and 57 minutes.
| Distance | 74 mi (119 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 57m |
| Lowest price | €29.38 |
| Most frequent service | CrossCountry + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Leicester to Manchester?
There are 4 train lines with service from Leicester to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 11 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 1 | 2h 41m | €29.38 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 11 | 2h 40m | €69.75 |
| East Midlands Trains | 1 | 3h 11m | €72.32 |
| East Midlands Trains + Connections | 3 | 2h 21m | €48.79 |
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 Leicester to Manchester usually takes about 2 hours and 41 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 1 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Leicester to Manchester start from €62, and on average cost . Daily there are 11 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections in Leicester leaves from Leicester Train Station . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport and one other train station.
From Leicester to Manchester train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 57 minutes.
East Midlands Trains train tickets from Leicester to Manchester start from €72, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 East Midlands Trains schedules to Manchester. East Midlands Trains in Leicester leaves from Leicester Train Station . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Piccadilly .
From Leicester to Manchester train travel on East Midlands Trains takes 3 hours and 11 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, East Midlands Trains offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 57 minutes.
East Midlands Trains + Connections train tickets from Leicester to Manchester start from €40, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 East Midlands Trains + Connections schedules to Manchester. East Midlands Trains + Connections in Leicester leaves from Leicester Train Station . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport and one other train station.
From Leicester to Manchester train travel on East Midlands Trains + Connections takes 2 hours and 21 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 57 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Leicester to Manchester on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Leicester at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. 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 Manchester to Leicester.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Leicester?
Image credit: Steve Knight
Link to image attributionMain departure 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.
All train stations in Leicester:
Leicester Train Station
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: North West Transport Photos
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Airport
Refurbished in 2004 and 2014, Manchester Airport Station is a combined rail, Metrolink tram, and bus station. Referred to as "The Station" on signage, it is linked to the airport terminals by the Sky Link elevated walkway. Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales operate rail services, with destinations including central Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. National Express and Megabus also operate frequent buses to and from the airport. The Metrolink tram connects with Manchester Victoria rail station, located much closer to the center of Manchester.
Train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Airport
Manchester Piccadilly
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Leicester?
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