From London St Pancras to Leicester takes just one quick direct train with East Midlands Railway. In 1 hour and 5 minutes, passengers from London to Leicester can complete their journey north quickly – and with scenic views of rolling fields most of the way.
East Midlands Railway operates frequent services throughout the Midlands, connecting London with places like Peterborough, Lincoln, Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Departing from London St Pancras
London St Pancras is one of the UK’s major international transport hubs, home to trains connecting London to cities in Kent, East Sussex and across the Midlands, as well as Europe via the Eurostar. Major operators at London St Pancras include East Midlands Railway, Thameslink and Southeastern.
Conveniently situated next to Kings Cross, London St Pancras is an ideal train station to begin your journey to Leicester, with excellent underground and bus links. Before you board, you can browse a wide range of shops and food stalls, make use of free Wi-Fi and use the award-winning loos.
Main stops
On direct trains from London St Pancras to Leicester, you will stop only at a handful of stations, which may include Wellingborough, Kettering and Market Harborough. Journeys take between 1 hour 5 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the exact route and the number of stops.
Arriving at Leicester
Leicester Railway Station, a key transport hub in the Midlands since 1840, is conveniently located near Leicester city centre. This prime location offers easy access to a diverse array of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Just a short walk away, you'll find the bustling Highcross Shopping Centre, home to numerous international brands and eateries. For those interested in history and culture, Leicester Cathedral and the King Richard III Visitor Centre provide fascinating insights into the area's rich heritage.
Operated by East Midlands Railway, Leicester Railway Station boasts excellent rail connections across the UK. It serves as a vital stop on routes linking major cities such as London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Lincoln. These convenient transport options make Leicester an ideal starting point for exploring various parts of the UK.
East Midlands Railway train classes
Passengers with EMR can choose from Standard or First Class tickets for their journey from London St Pancras to Leicester. Whichever you pick, it’s always best to book in advance with TrainPal to buy cheap train tickets between London and Leicester.
- Standard Class: Tables, plug sockets, seat reservations, free WiFi and everything else you need for a comfortable journey. Luggage racks are available to store bags, as well as overhead cabins.
- First Class: By upgrading to a First Class ticket, EMR passengers get more spacious seats, a guaranteed table, quieter carriages and light food and refreshments served at their seats.
East Midlands Railway train travel advice
- Bicycles: When travelling from London to Leicester on EMR, it is possible to reserve a bicycle space, though restrictions may apply.
- Children: Kids under 5 travel for free on East Midlands Railway trains, while children aged 5 to 15 get 50% off.
- Pets: Each passenger can bring up to two dogs on EMR trains for no extra cost. Beyond this limit, you may have to pay an additional fee of 50% of a full adult fare, up to £5 for a single journey or £10 for a return journey, to bring more than two pets onboard.
- Luggage: EMR has a luggage limit of two items per passenger, and the operator notes that one item can measure up to 90x70x30cm and the other should be a “small bag or cabin-sized case”.
- Passenger Assist: If you require special assistance on your journey, you can arrange this with EMR before travelling. Services that EMR offers include help boarding, reserving wheelchair spaces and detailed rail info.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.