Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester Trains From £6.13*

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.

Departing from Manchester Piccadilly

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.

Main stops

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.

Arriving at Leicester Station

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 train classes

• Standard Class: Choose Standard Class tickets for the cheapest tickets from Manchester to Leicester by train with Avanti West Coast. Enjoy comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, plug sockets at some seats, and access to an onboard shop where you can buy snacks and drinks.
• Standard Premium: For a little more style on your journey, upgrade to Avanti West Coast Standard Premium tickets, which offer a more spacious travel experience. As well as extra legroom, you get a guaranteed table at every seat.
• First Class: If you want the highest-quality onboard experience, a First Class Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester ticket is for you. At a premium price, sit back and relax in more comfortable seats. Benefit from exclusive access to the First Class Lounge in Manchester Piccadilly before you depart, and complimentary food and drinks during your journey.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Affordable train travel from Manchester to Leicester comes with a modern travel experience on CrossCountry trains. You’ll find plug sockets for charging at your seat, optional tables, and free onboard Wi-Fi.
• First Class: To make your trip extra special, Manchester Piccadilly to Leicester First Class tickets give you reclining seats, and individual tables on the CrossCountry leg of your journey.

Avanti West Coast train travel advice

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.

• Children: Under 5s travel free, while children aged 5 to 15 get half-price standard fare tickets. Family days out are cheaper with a Family & Friends Railcard, which offers ⅓ off group rail travel for a whole year.
• Passenger Assist: Travellers with additional needs for their journey can arrange assistance from Avanti West Coast before boarding. Ask for support boarding the train, reserving wheelchair spaces, or anything else.
• Luggage: Bring up to three pieces of luggage on Avanti services for free, up to a maximum bag size of 30 x 70 x 90 cm.
• Pets: Travel with up to two domestic animals on Avanti West Coast trains at no extra cost. Remember to keep pets on a lead or in a carrier throughout the journey.
• Bicycles: Spaces for bikes must be booked in advance (only for standard bikes, tandems and e-bikes). Folding bikes count as luggage.

CrossCountry train travel advice

• Children: Bring the little ones from Manchester to Leicester without spending more on your day out! Under 5s go free on all National Rail trains when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, and children aged 5 to 15 can travel with a 50% discount.
• Passenger Assist: For help with your journey, book support at least two hours in advance. If you’ll need support for the CrossCountry part of your journey, use that provider’s website, Passenger Assistance App, or phone to arrange assistance.
• Luggage: No tight luggage restrictions with CrossCountry! Carry up to three items of luggage onto the train at no extra cost (one small bag, one cabin-size case, and one large suitcase).
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals are welcome onboard CrossCountry trains to Leicester. Remember: only two pets per passenger, and they must be held on a lead or in a secure carrier.
• Bicycles: To bring a bike from Manchester to Leicester, reserve a space online before travel.

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