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From Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester, take the fastest train in 1h 35m, typically 2h 40m. Daily, 64 trains depart from Manchester Piccadilly, with the first at 00:04 and the last at 22:30. Check real-time updates for train times, delays, and cancellations. TrainPal saves you time, effort, and money.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
20:43 Manchester Piccadilly | 2h 8m, 1 change | 22:51 Leicester | East Midlands Railway | Find tickets |
20:46 Manchester Piccadilly | 3h 7m, 2 change | 23:53 Leicester | Northern | Find tickets |
22:03 Manchester Piccadilly | 8h 11m, 1 change | 06:14 Leicester | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
22:13 Manchester Piccadilly | 6h 28m, 2 change | 04:41 Leicester | TransPennine Express | Find tickets |
22:30 Manchester Piccadilly | 7h 14m, 1 change | 05:44 Leicester | East Midlands Railway | Find tickets |
Plan your journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
Travelling from Manchester to Leicester by train is a convenient and affordable way to travel between these two major English cities.
With just one change, you can make the journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester in only 1 hour 35 minutes. Tickets start from £8.40 for efficient, frequent services that get you to the largest city in the East Midlands for less.
Whether it’s a work trip, a music or sports event, or something else, taking the train from Manchester to Leicester is the ideal way to start your day out in style. Along the route, you’ll skirt the Peak District National Park, as well as whizzing through miles of Midlands countryside.
Avanti West Coast is a premium provider of high-speed service on the West Coast Main Line. The operator’s trains include direct routes between some of the UK’s most popular cities, including London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester.
CrossCountry runs trains across England, Scotland, and Wales between major cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, and Birmingham.
Manchester Piccadilly is a significant regional rail terminus in the northwest of England. The station has all the amenities required for a comfortable pre-departure experience, from accessible toilets to refreshment counters.
Standard Class passengers can relax in well-provisioned waiting areas, while Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester First Class travellers can enjoy the luxury of waiting in the Avanti West Coast First Class Lounge. Opening hours for the First Class Lounge are 06:00–19:30 (Monday to Friday), with slightly later opening and earlier closing at the weekend.
Handily located to the south of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from Piccadilly Gardens, getting to the station is simple. Travel on reliable local bus routes that drop you off directly outside the station, or use the Manchester 'Metrolink' tram network for convenient city-centre connections.
Manchester Piccadilly takes passengers around the UK on high-speed services operated by TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, Northern, and East Midlands Railway. From the station, passengers can easily get to London Euston, Sheffield, Norwich, and Liverpool Lime Street, among other major destinations.
The fastest route from Manchester to Leicester is usually to take the Avanti West Coast service from Manchester Piccadilly to Nuneaton, followed by a short train to Leicester with CrossCountry.
Start on an Avanti service to Nuneaton, which will call at Stockport, and Stoke-On-Trent, before you disembark in Nuneaton. Then, switch to a CrossCountry train directly to Leicester with no stops until you reach your destination.
Leicester is the most populous city in the East Midlands and Leicester Station is one of the busiest in the Midlands.
Centrally located in the heart of the city, regular buses are available to board from outside the rail station to take you to the city centre. To go further afield, Leicester St Margaret's Bus Station has a greater range of bus options around Leicestershire and beyond. Bicycle and e-scooter hire can provide a convenient way to get around the city, while Leicester is also very walkable thanks to pedestrianised areas and scenic canal routes.
Managed by East Midlands Railway, Leicester Station has all the modern amenities and accessibility features of a major station. If you need to rest before leaving the station, there are sheltered waiting areas, plus refreshments and shops for every taste. To get from the train to the exit, Leicester Station has step-free access from all platforms.
From Leicester Station, board train services to London St Pancras, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester with East Midlands Railway or CrossCountry. and regional routes to Lincoln, Peterborough, and Derby. CrossCountry also operates services linking Leicester to cities across its national network.
Avanti West Coast offers generous luggage allowances, as well as options for passengers wanting to travel with pets or bikes. If you are changing to a different operator for the second leg of your journey, be sure to check their requirements too.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
Travelling by train from Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester is efficient and offers a scenic and comfortable experience. With frequent departures from Manchester Piccadilly, you can reach Leicester in just 1h 35m, making it one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel between these two places.

The fastest train journey time from Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester is 1h 35m . Direct trains can save significant time by avoiding transfers. Always check if a direct route is available for your journey. Moreover, when searching for trains, consider the total travel time. Some routes with fewer stops or more efficient schedules might be faster.
No, you will need to transfer when travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester. TrainPal Train Journey Planner will assist you in finding the best train route. Enter the origin or destination places and other relevant details, then click "Search" to find the most suitable route.

Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester trains are generally punctual, but delays or cancellations can occur due to weather, strikes, and other factors. After purchasing a ticket, use TrainPal to track live train updates. Before buying a ticket, our Train Journey Planner provides all necessary booking information. Simply enter your departure and arrival stations, click 'Search,' and view routes labelled 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest,' with all details displayed.
Usually, you need to arrive at a station at least 15-20 minutes ahead of time. However, consider the station's size and your familiarity with it. If the station is large and you are not familiar with it, leaving home as early as possible is the best choice. This can reduce your stress and ensure a relaxing journey.
Yes, most trains on the Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester route offer amenities like Wi-Fi, food services, and various seating options. Additional facilities may include power sockets, accessibility features, and luggage storage. Check the specific amenities offered by the train operator when booking, as these can vary.
Check our Train Journey Planner, which provides detailed information about transfers to ensure your journey is uninterrupted, saving you time and effort, and allowing you to get a full rest for travelling.

Use TrainPal for quick access to live updates and notifications. If your phone allows messages from us, you'll receive instant notifications about train cancellations directly on your screen.
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* Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. This pricing does not apply to discounted Split tickets and Railcards.
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