Are you wondering how to get from London to Leeds? The city of Leeds is a beautiful old city which is easily accessible from London. It is located in West Yorkshire, England, and is known by the nickname “Knightsbridge of the North.”
You can reach Leeds from London by bus, train, flight, rental car and boat. The road distance between London and Leeds is 314.9 kilometres or 195.7 miles while the direct distance is 272 kilometres or 169 miles. It takes about four hours and 11 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Whether you are a tourist or a local, you will not run out of things to do in Leeds. From shopping to axe throwing – and even treasure hunting – a trip from London to Leeds is truly one that’s worth the journey.
How to get from London to Leeds, UK
Photo Credit: Derek dye, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Leeds by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 4 hours and 10 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £9.36
Leeds is accessible from London by bus. This option is cost-efficient because at an affordable rate you get to ride a bus equipped with air conditioning, toilet, Wifi, a charging point and wheelchair accessibility.
Below is a sample timetable of bus trips coming from different stations in London and Leeds:
Standard Bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Leeds Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:30 am | 12:55 am | 4 hours 25 minutes | £10.75 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 7:05 am | 7 hours 35 minutes | £16.80 |
| Cheapest fare | 3:00 pm | 7:30 pm | 4 hours 30 minutes | £9.36 |
| Fastest duration | 11:00 am | 3:10 pm | 4 hours 10 minutes | £9.36 |
Standard Bus from London Finchley Road (Stop CL) to Leeds Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:50 am | 12:55 am | 4 hours 5 minutes | £10.75 |
| Latest trip | 11:50 pm | 5:05 am | 5 hours 15 minutes | £16.80 |
| Cheapest fare | 3:20 pm | 7:30 pm | 4 hours 10 minutes | £9.36 |
| Fastest duration | 11:20 am | 3:10 pm | 3 hours 50 minutes | £9.36 |
Standard Bus from London Heathrow Airport T2 and T3 to Leeds Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:10 am | 7:05 am | 6 hours 55 minutes | £25.63 |
| Latest trip | 3:40 pm | 9:45 pm | 6 hours 5 minutes | £22.80 |
| Cheapest fare | 1:50 pm | 8:50 pm | 7 hours | £19.58 |
| Fastest duration | 3:40 pm | 9:45 pm | 6 hours 5 minutes | £22.80 |
Megabus also offers another alternative route from London Victoria Coach Station which arrives at Leeds York Street. There is also one which leaves from London Finchley Road (Stop CL) which stops at Leeds York Street, too. You can check the latest coach prices and availability of Megabus to Leeds here.
Alternatively, you can also check Flixbus coach ticket prices and availability here.
Both alternative routes only have one night trip daily, so take this into consideration. Check which departure and arrival areas are better for you.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Leeds by Train
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 13 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £92.00
You can get on a train from London to reach Leeds in the fastest time possible. There are at least 40 trips that go this way, many of them travelling directly and reaching Leeds in a little over two hours.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) offers daily train trips to Leeds Station from London Kings Cross. The train covers a distance of around 169 miles or 272 kilometers.
The earliest train from London leaves the platform at 5:55 am while the last trip is regularly scheduled at 11:33 pm.
Travelling by train from London can be really expensive, so make sure to plan your trip and book your tickets ahead of time with Trainline. Look out for the best deals so you can save money, and see if you can qualify for any Railcards Discounts.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Leeds by Flight
- Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 25 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £161
If you are biased toward travelling by air, you can definitely do so from London to Leeds. Some of the operators that service this route are British Airways, Aer Lingus and KLM.
There is no direct flight coming from London to Leeds. Some common stops between the two destinations are Belfast City, Amsterdam in Netherlands and Dublin, Ireland.
While the total duration of the flight runs for about three hours and 25 minutes, allow extra time for airport procedures to be fulfilled. You can check for flight deals that are available for booking online in Skyscanner so you can bag the best price.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Leeds by Rental Car
- Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 53 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £77.48
Going around London with a car is a great way to extend your itinerary and go on day trips in nearby destinations such as Leeds.
If you have driven in the UK before, you better take this opportunity to be your own driver and travel at your own pace. It takes a little less than four hours to reach Leeds from London via M1.
The price to rent a car in London starts at £77.48. Should you wish to leave the car in Leeds, additional charges apply. You can check for the best available car rental deals here with Discover Cars.
OPTION 5: How to get from London to Leeds by Narrow Boat
- Travel Duration: about 23 days at 7 hours a day
- Travel Fare: Varies
You can go slow and enjoy travelling from London to Leeds by narrowboat. This option is a great way to see what’s along the way, including Windsor, Marlow, Oxford and Leicester.
The boat journey runs for an average of 300 miles or 482 kilometers. This will take you cruising through the Aire and Calder Canal.
More about Leeds, UK
- My go-to site for all the most recommended activities in Leeds – Get Your Guide!
FAQs on How to Get from London to Leeds, UK
Is London near Leeds?
Yes, London is near Leeds. The distance between the two destinations is 272 kilometres or 169 miles.
Are trains running from London to Leeds?
Yes, trains run from London to Leeds. There are at least 40 trains that travel between the two destinations.
Who runs the London to Leeds train?
LNER is the operator that services the London to Leeds route from London Kings Cross to Leeds Station.
How long is the train from London to Leeds?
The train ride from London to Leeds is 2 hours and 13 minutes long. The total train distance is 169 miles or 272 kilometers.
How do I travel from London to Leeds without a car?
If you don’t plan on bringing a car with you, you can travel from London to Leeds by standard bus, train, flight or boat.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Leeds?
The cheapest way to get from London to Leeds is by standard bus. The cost for a one-way fare starts at £9.36.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Leeds?
The fastest way to get from London to Leeds is by train. The total travel time is 2 hours and 13 minutes.
What is the best way to get from London to Leeds?
The best way to get from London to Leeds is by standard bus. The cost to ride one starts at £9.36, and the four-hour ride is manageable given its many amenities onboard.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel Blog
Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas and travel guides for travellers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.
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