Trains from Leeds to London
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Leeds to London by train
It takes an average of 2h 21m to travel from Leeds to London by train, over a distance of around 169 miles (272 km). There are normally 45 trains per day travelling from Leeds to London and tickets for this journey start from £22.10 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:45 | |
| Departure station | Leeds | |
| Arrival station | London | |
| Journey time | From 1h 59m | |
| Distance | 169 miles (272 km) | |
| Frequency | 45 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £22.10 | |
| Train operators |
Travel by train from Leeds to London in less than 2 hours
If you want to find out more about travelling from Leeds to London by train, look no further!
Usually, the train from Leeds to London takes around 2 hours and 21 minutes but can take just 1 hour and 59 minutes on the fastest services, with around 42 trains running on this popular route every day. Trains are direct, so once you’re on board you can sit back, relax and stay connected with free WiFi available on most services.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is the main rail operator on this route. Sit back and enjoy free WiFi and a catering service offering a wide range of food and drinks on board.
Once you’ve arrived in London, you can start to explore the city’s iconic landmarks, including:
- Big Ben – recognised around the world for its beautiful golden clock face, Big Ben stands out as an iconic part of the London skyline.
- St Paul’s Cathedral – steeped in history, St Paul’s iconic dome is one of the largest of its kind in the world!
- Buckingham Palace – one of the most famous buildings in England, Buckingham Palace is the official home of the Royal Family.
If you want to snap up the cheapest ticket fares from Leeds to London, book an Off-Peak time, as tickets are usually cheaper when you travel Off-Peak compared to taking the train at Peak times. If you’d like to save even more and frequently travel by train throughout the year, why not get yourself a Railcard? You’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.
Keen to book your train tickets from Leeds to London? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to learn a bit more about the journey first, you can check out:
- Today’s train times
- LNER trains from Leeds to London
- Classes on board LNER trains
- Services on board LNER trains
- How to get to Leeds station
- Everything you need to know about Leeds station
- Arriving at London Kings Cross station from Leeds
- Using public transport in Edinburgh
- Things to do in London
- Where to travel next after London
- Review: Travelling from Leeds to London by train
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Leeds to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Leeds to London take?
The average journey time by train between Leeds and London is 2 hours and 21 minutes, with around 45 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Leeds and London by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Leeds to London is 1 hour and 59 minutes.
How much does the train from Leeds to London cost?
Train ticket prices from Leeds to London can start from as little as £22.10 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Leeds to London?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Leeds to London without having to change trains. There are 45 direct trains from Leeds to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Leeds to London leave?
The first train from Leeds to London leaves at 04:05. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Leeds to London leave?
The last train from Leeds to London leaves at 20:45. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Leeds and London by train?
Trains travelling from Leeds to London cover a distance of around 169 miles (272 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Leeds. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Leeds to London.
Cheap train tickets from Leeds to London
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Leeds to London is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
LNER trains from Leeds to London
If you’d like to know more about LNER trains, keep reading for more information.
Operating trains on the East Coast mainline since June 2018, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) cover journeys from London King's Cross to popular destinations such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Newcastle, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Recently, LNER introduced a new fleet of state-of-the-art Azuma trains on their major routes, which use technology from the Japanese bullet train to travel faster, quieter and more reliably than ever before.
Classes on board LNER trains from Leeds to London
LNER offers different seating classes to suit all budgets, whether you're travelling for work, pleasure or a bit of both.
Standard Class
In Standard Class, you’ll benefit from family-sized tables, power outlets and quiet carriages, all at an affordable price.
| Plug sockets | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
| Luggage storage | ✔ |
First Class
In LNER’S First Class, you’ll get access to a few extra perks before, during and after your trip, as well as all the usual amenities you'll find in Standard Class.
| Complimentary food and drinks | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Plenty of legroom | ✔ |
| Larger tables | ✔ |
| Reclining seats | ✔ |
| Plug sockets and USB outletat seats | ✔ |
| Ambient lighting | ✔ |
| LNER’s best-ever WiFi connection | ✔ |
Services on board LNER trains from Leeds to London
Learn more about the services offered on board LNER trains from Leeds to London.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travel with Children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to Leeds train station
When travelling to London, your train will depart from Leeds station. Read on for more information on how to get there using public transport.
Leeds station is the main train station in Leeds, situated in the heart of the historic centre, close to Briggate – Leeds’ main shopping hub. There are several ways to get from the city centre to Leeds station, including:
- Walk: If you’re already in central Leeds, you can simply walk southwest from Briggate, and enter via New Station Street.
- Train: If you’re located on the outskirts of Leeds, you can take Northern trains to Leeds station from places across the city including Headingley, Burley Park and Cross Gates.
- Bus: There are various buses available from all areas of the city to Leeds station.
Everything you need to know about Leeds train station
While you wait for your train to London, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied at Leeds station.
As soon as you’ve entered Leeds station, you can make your way to the platform. If you’ve got some time to kill, you can take advantage of the amenities:
- Fast-food chains
- Cafés
- Shops
- Free WiFi
- Left luggage
- Waiting rooms
- First Class lounge
- Cash machine
- Bike storage spaces
- Lost property
Arriving at London King’s Cross station from Leeds
When travelling from Leeds to London, your train will arrive at London King’s Cross station.
London King’s Cross station is conveniently located in the centre of the capital, so it’s easy to get to other parts of London using National Rail services, bus services and the London Underground:
- Walk: Due to its central location, you can walk from London King's Cross station to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the British Museum and Regent's Park.
- Tube: London King’s Cross station is served by 6 Tube lines, including the Hammersmith & City (pink), Circle (yellow), Metropolitan (magenta), Northern (black), Piccadilly (dark blue) and Victoria (light blue) lines.
- Bus: Local buses leave from directly south of the the station on Euston Road to all areas of the city.
- Taxi: The closest taxi rank is just outside the station on Pancras Road.
Using public transport in London
Read on for more information on how to navigate London’s public transport system.
Taking the tube in London
Commonly known as the Tube, the London Underground is one of the quickest ways to travel around the city. Once you get off at London King's Cross station, simply follow the signs to the London Underground station, where you’ll be able to choose from a variety of Tube lines that can take you to different parts of the city.
Generally, tube services run from 05:00 am until midnight, with Night Tube services available on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Taking the bus in London
One of the cheapest ways to travel around the city, London buses offer plenty of sightseeing opportunities along the way. You can pay with an Oyster Card, Travelcard or a contactless payment card for Tube and bus journeys.
Things to see and do in London
Whether you’re looking for leafy parks, fascinating history or vibrant nightlife, London has it all! With so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help inspire your trip, here are some of the best things to do in London:
Where to travel next after London
If you enjoyed your time in London and want to explore more of the UK, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from London:
