Leeds to London by train

Leeds to London is a direct LNER train of about 2 hours 15 minutes, with the fastest trains taking around 2 hours 11 minutes. You leave from Leeds station in the city centre and arrive at London King's Cross. LNER is the only company running direct trains on this trip. Pick a specific train ahead and fares can start from £12 on selected trains.

LNER is the only company on the direct trains

Every direct train from Leeds to London is run by LNER, so you can ignore other brands when you search. There is no change on the way.

LNER runs about two direct trains an hour on this route, so you can usually find a departure that suits your plans. Some trains make a few more stops than others, such as Wakefield Westgate, Doncaster and Peterborough, and some also stop at Grantham and Stevenage. A slower train adds a few minutes, so check the arrival time. Weekend times can differ, so check your date.

Leave from Leeds station on New Station Street

Leeds station is in the middle of the city, on New Station Street, and has step-free access to all platforms. There is a ticket office and there are ticket machines. If you already have a ticket, go straight to the departure screens to find your platform.

Shops and cafés are in the station, and Trinity Leeds is next door. If you have time before your train, you can walk to the Granary Wharf waterfront. A First Class lounge is also available at the station.

Buy an Advance ticket for one train, or stay flexible

An Advance ticket is for one specific train and is usually the cheapest. LNER says these can save up to 45%, and the best prices tend to go to those who book four or more weeks ahead. An Off-Peak ticket works on any train outside the busy periods. An Anytime ticket is valid on any train on your day and costs the most.

Fares move with demand, and cheap seats on the most popular trains go first.

A Railcard saves a third on most fares, and you need to add it when you search.

A seat reservation is optional, and often comes with Advance tickets

You are not required to reserve a seat on British trains, but LNER recommends a reservation if you want to be sure of a place. With an Advance ticket you can choose your seat in your LNER account, and with a flexible ticket you can use LNER's reservation tool on its website or app.

Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on LNER

Interrail Global Passes (for people who live in Europe) and Eurail Global Passes (for people who live outside Europe) are valid on National Rail trains in Great Britain, and LNER is covered. Book a free seat reservation with LNER before you travel, because some LNER trains require one. If you live in the UK, a Global Pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey in your own country, so you cannot use it for an ordinary trip inside Britain.

Arriving at London King's Cross

Your train arrives at King's Cross, a main London station. The Underground station King's Cross St. Pancras is right there, with the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.

St Pancras International is next door, so you can walk across for Eurostar. Allow plenty of time, because Eurostar has its own check-in deadlines.