Leicester to Birmingham International Trains From £12.90*

Connecting Leicester to Birmingham International with a quick change at Birmingham New Street, this CrossCountry-operated route offers a seamless rail link through the heart of the Midlands. From Birmingham New Street, West Midlands Trains takes over, continuing the journey directly to Birmingham International. The journey takes 1 hour 8 minutes, with up to 51 departures daily, starting from 06:18 and running until 22:56.

As you travel from Leicester to Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street, the journey takes you through a patchwork of historic towns, rail hubs, and evolving urban areas that define the Midlands.

CrossCountry is one of the UK's leading long-distance train operators, managed by XC Trains Limited, a subsidiary of Arriva UK Trains. It operates Britain's largest geographical rail franchise, connecting regions from Scotland to Cornwall and the East Midlands to East Anglia. Services primarily run through Birmingham New Street, linking major cities like Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, and Cardiff, using Voyager and Turbostar trains.

West Midlands Trains runs passenger services centred on Birmingham and across the wider West Midlands. Since taking over from London Midland in 2017, West Midlands Trains has served key routes like the Cross-City Line, Snow Hill Lines, Chase Line, and connections to Shrewsbury and Hereford. The network covers Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and surrounding areas, linking major cities, regional towns, and suburban stations with frequent, reliable services.

Departing from Leicester

Leicester railway station is located in central Leicester, Leicestershire. It's on the Midland Main Line, around 99 miles north of London St Pancras, and is managed by East Midlands Railway (EMR). The station was opened in 1840 and has undergone several redevelopments. Today, it remains the busiest station in Leicestershire and one of the busiest in the Midlands.

If you're travelling locally, the Hop! shuttle bus is a free service linking key city locations, including Haymarket Bus Station, Highcross, and Jubilee Square to the station. Several local bus services, operated by companies like Arriva, also serve the station. St. Margaret's Bus Station is approximately 1.3 miles away and can be reached by local buses, walking, or taxi.

Train services from Leicester include frequent EMR trains to London St Pancras, Sheffield, Nottingham and Manchester and regional routes to Lincoln, Peterborough, and Derby. CrossCountry also operates services linking Leicester to cities across its national network.

Main stops

There are no direct CrossCountry services between Leicester and Birmingham International. Typically, you will change at Birmingham New Street. Main stops on the CrossCountry leg from Leicester include locations in and around Birmingham, such as University, Five Ways, and Selly Oak, depending on your specific route.

Arriving at Birmingham International

Birmingham International railway station is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, approximately 8.7 miles east of Birmingham New Street. It is situated on the Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line, and serves as the primary station for Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Resorts World Arena, and Resorts World Birmingham.

The station provides direct services to Birmingham New Street, from where passengers can connect to cities such as London, Manchester, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Leicester, and Worcester. The station also connects directly to Birmingham Airport via a free, automated Air-Rail Link, which takes just a couple of minutes.

Nearby attractions include the National Motorcycle Museum, a short walk or taxi ride away. Further afield in Birmingham's city centre, visitors can explore landmarks like the Library of Birmingham, Cadbury World, and the Bullring shopping centre.

CrossCountry train classes

CrossCountry offers two classes of service: Standard Class and First Class, though availability depends on the type of train. The company's fleet mainly consists of Voyager and Turbostar trains.

Standard Class is available on all CrossCountry services and includes comfortable seating, access to power sockets, and luggage storage. Voyager and Turbostar trains offer Standard seating, but amenities may vary slightly depending on the train model.

First Class is available only on Voyager trains. It offers enhanced comfort, including larger reclining seats, additional legroom, a table at every seat, and extra complimentary WiFi. Passengers also receive complimentary snacks and drinks, subject to availability. First Class coaches are usually located in Coach A and occasionally Coach B, clearly marked for easy identification.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Before boarding a CrossCountry train, keep the following guidance in mind:

• Luggage: You may bring one large item and one small item. Larger bags go in the designated luggage areas, while smaller ones can be stored overhead or under your seat.
• Bicycles: Only two bicycles per train can be reserved, and advance booking is required. Unreserved bikes may be refused if space is unavailable. Tandems, tricycles, trailers, and motorised bikes are not allowed. E-bikes are permitted if they meet standard bike dimensions and power limits.
• Children: Children under 5 travel free, but there's no guaranteed seat. Ages 5 to 15 qualify for a 60% Family & Friends Railcard discount. Pushchairs must be folded and stored once on board.
• Pets: You may bring up to two pets per passenger, free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead, and small pets must be in secure carriers. Pets are not allowed on seats and should not inconvenience other passengers.
• Passenger Assistance: If you need assistance, it should be booked at least 24 hours in advance by phone or 48 hours online. Services include help with boarding, luggage handling, wheelchair ramps, and printed information in large formats.

West Midlands Trains train classes

West Midlands Trains offers only Standard Class seating across its fleet, having phased out First Class. Passengers can expect modern amenities on newer trains, such as the Class 730 and Class 196 units, which include fold-down trays, USB ports, plug sockets, free Wi-Fi, and accessible toilets.

West Midlands Trains travel advice

Before your journey, here are some important travel tips to keep in mind:

• Luggage: Passengers may bring up to three items of luggage, including one large suitcase, a cabin-sized bag, and a smaller handbag or backpack.
• Bicycles: Folding bikes are allowed free of charge and can be stored in luggage areas. Non-folding bikes have limited spaces and may require a reservation, particularly on busy routes.
• Children: Children under 5 travel free with a fare-paying adult. Those aged 5 to 15 receive a 50% discount on adult fares, while 16 and 17-year-olds pay full price unless holding a valid 16 to 17 Railcard for reduced fares.
• Pets: Up to two pets per passenger may travel free if kept on a lead or in a secure carrier and do not occupy seats or disturb others. Assistance dogs travel unrestricted in all classes.
• Passenger Assist: Assistance for boarding, alighting, and mobility needs can be booked in advance via the Passenger Assistance by Transreport app, phone, or website.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.