Leicester to London by train

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.