- Must visit
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Leicester's flagship museum and gallery, known for dinosaurs, German Expressionism and broad collections for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$24
Average price
$24
Fastest journey
4 h 20 m
Average duration
4 h 20 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
253 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sunderland to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sunderland to Leicester will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $24.
Of the 1 buses that leave Sunderland for Leicester on Fri, Jul 31, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 253 km distance in an average of 4 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 20 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 4 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Sunderland to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, and a train costs an average of $63.
Distance: 157 miles (253 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$30 Average price Cheapest | $120 Average price | $63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 10m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 3h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Sunderland to Leicester:
A bus is $90 (€74) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Sunderland to Leicester costing on average $120 (€98).
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 40m.
Tickets start at around $30 (€24) compared to roughly $63 (€52) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $33 (€27). The journey takes 4h 40m versus 3h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
The table below shows live departures for Sunderland to Leicester buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:30 PM Sunderland | 4h20 | 4:50 PM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 31 | |||||
![]() | 11:35 AM Sunderland | 4h20 | 3:55 PM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Sunderland to Leicester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:20, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 157 miles (253 km) distance in 4h 20m.
Distance 157 miles (253 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€19) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 20m |
First bus 2:20 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
Leicester's flagship museum and gallery, known for dinosaurs, German Expressionism and broad collections for first-time visitors.
Dedicated to the 2012 discovery of Richard III, this award-winning museum uses immersive displays to tell a remarkable royal story.
A grand Victorian pumping station with working steam heritage displays, making industrial history surprisingly engaging for all ages.
Revived historic quarter around Leicester Cathedral and the Richard III story, packed with lanes, heritage sites and independent venues.
Leicester's best-known green space, offering formal gardens, boating, sports facilities and a lively urban park atmosphere.
Main civic square framed by key institutions and events, useful as a central meeting point and starting place for exploring.
A flaky pastry pie from nearby Melton Mowbray, traditionally made with uncured pork. It is one of Leicestershire’s best-known foods and widely eaten in Leicester.
A hard, crumbly red cheese from Leicestershire with a nutty, mellow flavour. It is one of England’s oldest named cheeses and a proud regional staple.
A blue-veined Stilton-style cheese made in Leicestershire. Rich and creamy, it is strongly linked to the county’s cheesemaking tradition.
Modern British fine dining with tasting menus in an intimate setting. One of Leicester’s most acclaimed restaurants for special occasions.
Well-known modern Indian restaurant serving refined regional dishes and grills in a smart, contemporary dining room.
Long-established vegetarian Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile, known for Gujarati snacks, thalis and a lively casual atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is not expected, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sunderland to Leicester by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Sunderland to Leicester buses use the Sunderland, Interchange to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda). Use this guide to compare Sunderland and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need