- 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 on Sep 17
€63
Average ticket price on Sep 17
€135
Fastest journey on Sep 17
4 h 49 m
Average journey duration on Sep 17
4 h 50 m
Trains on Sep 17
43
Distance
392 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Leicester will cost around €135 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €63.
It's difficult to get from Edinburgh to Leicester without transferring at least 2 times.
C02066+
G00990
C02006+
G00969
C02046+
G00984
G80073 · L01636+
G00982
C02014+
G00982
G80061 · C01918+
G00974
G80049 · L01631+
G00969
G80073 · L01636+
G00982
C02070 · L01640+
G00988
G80097 · C01922+
G00994Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €42 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 11m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €42, while a flight costs an average of €240.
Distance: 243 miles (392 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€130 Average price | €42 Average price Cheapest | €240 Average price | €119 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 3m Average total duration 4h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 39m Average total duration 8h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Leicester:
A bus is €87 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Leicester costing on average €130.
A bus is €198 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Leicester costing on average €240.
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 33m.
Bus takes on average 8h 9m.
You'll arrive about 1h 18m sooner (4h 33m by train vs 5h 51m by car). Tickets start at around €130 compared to roughly €119 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Leicester trains for tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W29862+ W70784 | 6:02 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h01 | 11:03 AM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02042+ G00960 | 6:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 11:49 AM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02042+ C21659+ W84667 | 6:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h00 | 11:30 AM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
W29868+ C21654 | 7:03 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h00 | 12:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02002+ G00964 | 7:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 12:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02002+ W70793+ W84673 | 7:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h00 | 12:30 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
W29873+ W70796 | 8:08 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h55 | 1:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02015+ G01184+ W70799 | 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 1:28 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
C02015+ G00966 | 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 1:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02015+ W70799+ W84680 | 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 1:28 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G08186+ G01148+ W70802+ G88974 | 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h03 | 2:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 3 transfers | |
C02006+ G00969 | 9:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 2:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02006+ W70804+ W84686 | 9:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h00 | 2:30 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G80049 · L01631+ G00969 | 10:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h49 | 2:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
W29884+ C21655 | 10:05 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 3:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01942+ G00973 | 10:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 3:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01942+ W70810+ W84692 | 10:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 3:28 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G01153+ W70812 | 11:04 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 4:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02029+ G00974 | 11:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 4:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02029+ C21666+ W84697 | 11:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 4:28 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G80061 · C01918+ G00974 | 12:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h49 | 4:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G01154+ W70816 | 12:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 5:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02007+ G00977 | 12:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 5:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02007+ W70818+ W84702 | 12:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 5:29 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G01161_G66477+ W70820 | 1:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 6:04 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02014+ G00982 | 1:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 6:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02014+ C21656+ W84708 | 1:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h01 | 6:31 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G80073 · L01636+ G00982 | 2:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h49 | 6:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
W29909+ W70825 | 2:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 7:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02046+ G00984 | 2:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 7:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02046+ W70826+ W84714 | 2:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 7:29 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G80080+ G66824+ W70829 | 3:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h03 | 8:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G01166+ W70832 | 3:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h27 | 8:31 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01988+ G00988 | 3:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 8:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01988+ W70832+ W84720 | 3:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h01 | 8:31 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
C02070 · L01640+ G00988 | 4:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h49 | 8:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G01169+ W70834 | 4:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h58 | 9:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C02066+ G00990 | 4:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h19 | 9:49 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
G01170+ C21546 | 5:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 10:03 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01989+ G00994 | 5:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h25 | 10:55 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 1 transfer | |
C01989+ W70752+ W84734 | 5:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h21 | 10:51 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G80097 · C01922+ G00994 | 6:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h55 | 10:55 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
G00842 · G66815+ C21183 | 6:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h51 | 11:55 PM Leicester station (LEI) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Leicester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 4h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €48 but you can travel from only €21 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:25, the last at 23:28. The fastest train covers the 243 miles (392 km) distance in 3h 49m.
Distance 243 miles (392 km) |
Average train duration 4h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price €48 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 49m |
First train 12:25 AM |
Last train 11:28 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 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.
Official public transport app
Leicester Railway Station -> Leicester City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Leicester by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Leicester trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Leicester station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Leicester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Haymarket is 1 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Haymarket has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Haymarket.
Wi-Fi is available at Haymarket. ATMs are available at Haymarket.
Ticket office support is available at Haymarket. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Haymarket: Parking, WC.
Available at Haymarket: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Haymarket: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Edinburgh Gateway is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Gateway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh Gateway. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Parking, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Gateway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Leicester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Leicester.
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester. ATMs are available at Leicester.
Ticket office support is available at Leicester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Available at Leicester: Parking, WC.
Available at Leicester: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the main entrance and lifts to all platforms. Customers with wheelchairs who require assistance on graduated slopes should press the ticket gate 'assistance' button located at the bottom of the stairs near the self service ticket machines. To ensure availability of staff to assist, it is imperative that customers book assistance in advance. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms and at the bottom of all staircases, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need