--- title: "Trains from Leicester to London | EveryRail" description: "Direct East Midlands Railway trains take about 1h10 from Leicester to London St Pancras, fastest 1h03. Advance tickets are cheapest. No reservation needed." image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/leicester-to-london/" --- [Home]()[Europe by train]()Leicester to London by train [Home]()[Europe by train]()Leicester to London by train **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About Leicester to London by train]() - [Where to book]() - [Find places to stay in London]() - [Frequently asked questions]() - [More routes]() [Book now]() Last updated October 2026 # Leicester to London by train Direct East Midlands Railway trains take about 1h10 from Leicester to London St Pancras, fastest 1h03. Advance tickets are cheapest. No reservation needed. ![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]() Origin Leicester Destination [London]() Country [United Kingdom]() Leicester to [London]() takes about 1 hour 10 minutes on a direct East Midlands Railway train, and the fastest services take 1 hour 3 minutes. You board at Leicester station on London Road and get off at London St Pancras International, with no change on the way. Trains run up to three times an hour. Book an Advance ticket early for the lowest fare, or use an Off-Peak ticket if you want to choose your train on the day. ## Board at Leicester station on London Road Leicester station is in the city centre, on London Road. It has step-free access to all platforms, a ticket office, ticket machines, taxis and bus links. Check the departure board for the East Midlands Railway train to London St Pancras and watch for the platform number. ## East Midlands Railway runs every direct train Every train from Leicester to London St Pancras International is direct, and East Midlands Railway is the only company that runs them. The usual journey is about 1 hour 10 minutes and the fastest takes 1 hour 3 minutes, so compare arrival times, not only departures. Trains run through the day, up to three an hour. The first train to London leaves Leicester before 05:30 and the last leaves just before 23:00. Check your own date and time, particularly on weekends, when timetables can change. On board you will find free wi-fi, seats with tables, and a food and drink trolley on some trains. Leicester station also has refreshments, shops and sheltered seating if you arrive early, and staff help is available at the station. ## Pick the ticket that matches how sure you are of your plans If your plans are fixed, buy an Advance ticket. It is cheapest, but it is valid only on the date and train on the ticket, and a change costs £10 plus any difference in fare. Tickets go on sale up to about 12 weeks ahead in limited numbers. If you may travel earlier or later, buy Off-Peak. It is tied to a time of day and not a train, and on weekdays it is valid on trains that arrive in London at or after 10:03, with all day valid at weekends. An Anytime ticket costs most and lets you take any train at any time. Railcards can take up to a third off. Buying direct from East Midlands Railway carries no booking fee. ## You do not need a seat reservation Seat reservations are not currently available on East Midlands Railway intercity trains, so you sit in any unreserved seat in the class on your ticket. An Advance ticket is for one booked train. Pass holders do not need a reservation either. ## Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are accepted Interrail Global Passes (for people who live in Europe) and Eurail Global Passes (for people who live outside Europe) are valid on East Midlands Railway, and a pass holder can board without a reservation. Activate a travel day and add the Leicester to London journey to your pass in the app before boarding. 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 St Pancras International The train ends at London St Pancras International. The station shares King's Cross St Pancras Underground station, served by the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. It also has bus connections and a taxi rank, and King's Cross station is next door. The station has step-free access to all platforms, a ticket office and ticket machines. For most of London, the Underground is the quickest way on. King's Cross is next door if you need a different train. ## Where to book ### Train tickets - Omio Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning. [Check times & prices]() ### Train service - [East Midlands Railway]() East Midlands Railway runs Intercity trains to London St Pancras, regional services across the Midlands and North, and Eurostar connections. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Find places to stay in London [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in London**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does the Leicester to London train take? Usually about 1 hour 10 minutes, and 1 hour 3 minutes on the fastest trains. ### Do trains from Leicester to London go direct? Yes. East Midlands Railway runs every direct train, and none needs a change. ### Which station does the Leicester train arrive at in London? London St Pancras International, which has an Underground station and is next to King's Cross. ### What is the cheapest ticket from Leicester to London? An Advance ticket, which is valid only on the train printed on it. If you want flexibility, an Off-Peak ticket lets you pick any train within its hours. ### Do I have to book a seat on the train to London? No. Seat reservations are not currently available on East Midlands Railway intercity trains, so you sit in any unreserved seat. Pass holders do not need one either. ### Can I use my rail pass from Leicester to London? Yes, a Global Pass is accepted on East Midlands Railway. Activate a travel day and add the journey to your pass in the app before boarding. ## More routes [![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Amsterdam to London by trainDirect Eurostar trains take about 4 hours 10 minutes from Amsterdam to London, with around 3 daily departures and fares from about €57 / £52.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Barcelona to London by trainNo direct train. TGV INOUI Barcelona Sants to Paris Gare de Lyon (about 6h46), RER D to Gare du Nord, then Eurostar (2h17) to London St Pancras.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Birmingham to London by trainDirect trains from Birmingham New Street to London Euston take about 1h30, fastest 1h17. Chiltern Railways from Moor Street to Marylebone takes about 2 hours.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Brighton to London by trainDirect trains take about 1 hour from Brighton to London, to Victoria, London Bridge or St Pancras. Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express. No reservations.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Brussels to London by trainDirect Eurostar trains link Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid and London St Pancras in about two hours; fares start at £39 on selected departures.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Budapest to London by trainBudapest to London by train is not direct: connect via Paris or Brussels, then take Eurostar to London St Pancras. Fastest trips take around 17 hours.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Coventry to London by trainDirect trains from Coventry to London Euston take about 1 hour on Avanti West Coast and about 1h20 to 1h30 on London Northwestern Railway. Fares from £9.]()[![Tower Bridge in London at dusk]()Crewe to London by trainDirect trains from Crewe to London Euston take 1h37 on the fastest Avanti West Coast services and around 2h10 on slower ones. 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