On average, it takes approximately two hours and thirteen minutes to get from London Kings Cross to Leeds with LNER, which has two trains per hour. You’ll travel up the East Coast Main Line to Leeds, thundering up from the south to the north of England. On your way, you’ll pass through the East of England before arriving at Leeds in West Yorkshire.
LNER operates on the East Coast Mainline, connecting cities on the East Coast of Scotland and the North of England with London. Its major stops on its route include Doncaster, Edinburgh Waverley, Newcastle, Durham and York.
Departing from London Kings Cross
On the UK’s railway network, it can’t get any more convenient than departing from London Kings Cross. Situated at the end of the East Coast Mainline, it’s a highly convenient train station to depart from, despite being one of Britain’s busiest stations. It boasts several super-convenient public transport options, meaning it's easy to get to even if you’re running a tad late.
There are taxis and local buses that stop directly outside the station on Euston Road, and if you’re travelling in from elsewhere, then London St Pancras International is only a two-minute walk away. The real cherry on top is its London Underground Station: Kings Cross. The station connects numerous tube lines, including the Circle, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Metropolitan, and Victoria lines.
Served by operators like LNER, Hull Trains, Grand Central, Lumo, and Govia Thameslink Railway, Kings Cross offers routes to key destinations such as York, Leeds, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, ensuring a comprehensive travel network.
Main stops
With LNER, there are usually three stations from London Kings Cross to Leeds: Peterborough, Doncaster, and Wakefield Westgate. However, these stations may change due to poor weather, train faults, or planned engineering works. So, it’s best to check before you travel to make sure.
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Arriving at Leeds
Leeds train station is on New Street Station, south of the City Square, at the foot of Park Row behind the famously renowned Queens Hotel. This means the station places you on the rim of the city centre, making it very easy to walk into the city if you’d like. For instance, Trinity Leeds, the city’s main shopping centre, is only a few minutes walk from the train station. Alternatively, some local buses and taxis stop right outside the station.
If you’re thirsty after that train journey from London, then Leeds has some great pubs that are only a twenty-minute walk from the station. Pubs like Whitelock’s Ale House and The Turk’s Head are famous local haunts, and The Brewery Tap is only two minutes from the station. The city has tons of interesting restaurants, too, from delectable brands like Guacho and Flat Iron to independents like Meatstack and House of Fu, all the way to glorious fine dining at restaurants like Brasserie Blanc and La Piola. Stop by Laynes near the station if you fancy a cappuccino and a croissant, too.
The station is a central hub for the Leeds section of the East Coast Mainline and is a major thoroughfare for connecting trains heading from the north, east, south, and west, making it the fourth busiest train station in the UK outside of London, serving train operators like LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, and CrossCountry.
LNER train classes
- Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
- First Class: Complimentary food and drinks, individual sockets, USB ports, larger seats and tables. First Class lounge access at certain stations on the East Coast Mainline.
LNER train travel advice
- Luggage: One small handbag, a carry-on bag and one large suitcase are allowed.
- Pets can travel free on LNER, with dogs required to be on leads and other animals in carriers, allowing a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Bike reservations are free, compulsory and limited to one bike per customer (excluding folding bikes). Electric bikes can’t be charged on board.
- Children: Two children under 5 travel free with an adult. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Get travel advice for the station you wish to use, seat reservations, ticket assistance, and help with arrivals and transfers, plus discounts for disabled passengers.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.