London to Leeds Train Ticket Cost 2026
LNER advance from £20. 28 trains a day from King's Cross. 2h10m direct.
A London to Leeds train costs from £20 on a LNER advance single, £70 off-peak, £160 on a fully flexible anytime single. The fastest direct journey takes 2h 10m.
Single fares, verified June 2026. Full breakdown and saving tips below.
LNER runs the dominant direct service on the London-Leeds corridor via the East Coast Main Line, 2h10m King's Cross to Leeds. CrossCountry runs slower indirect services via Birmingham (typically 3h30m+) that are useful for connections through Birmingham New Street but rarely the right pick for direct London-Leeds.
The corridor has been a strategic priority for LNER since 2018 when the operator took over from Virgin Trains East Coast. Service frequency is high (every 30m peak, hourly off-peak) and the advance fares are competitive with the West Coast equivalents.
London to Leeds Train Prices
| Ticket Type | Single | Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNER Advance Single | from £20 | 2x singles | Direct, 2h10m |
| LNER Off-Peak Single | £70 | £98 | After 09:30 weekdays |
| LNER Anytime Single | £160 | £280 | Maximum flexibility |
| LNER First Class Advance | from £40 | 2x singles | Often cheaper than Standard Off-Peak |
Prices indicative singles based on operator-published fares, verified June 2026. Always check the live price on National Rail or the operator's own site before booking.
Operator Comparison
| Operator | Route | Duration | Services | Advance From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNER | King's Cross to Leeds | 2h 10m | 28 daily direct | from £20 |
| CrossCountry | Various, via Birmingham | 3h 30m+ | limited | from £25 |
Saving Tips for London to Leeds
- Book LNER advance 24 weeks ahead (LNER releases earlier than the industry-standard 12 weeks) for the cheapest allocation.
- LNER First Class advance from £40 frequently beats Standard Off-Peak £70 - always check.
- Off-peak return at £98 is exceptional value for the journey - cheaper per mile than the home-to-Bristol equivalent.
- 16-25 Railcard or Family and Friends Railcard saves a third on most LNER fares - the railcard pays back on one round trip at off-peak fares.
Best Days to Travel
Train vs Driving vs Coach
Driving: 195 miles, £40-50 fuel, plus £15-25 Leeds city centre parking. Coach: National Express from £18, 4h30m. For solo travellers the advance train is faster and cheaper.