- 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
€77
Average price
€93
Fastest journey
4 h 13 m
Average duration
4 h 20 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
253 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 €93 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €77.
Of the 3 trains that leave Sunderland for Leicester on Thu, Aug 06, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 253 km distance in an average of 4 h 20 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 13 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 4 h 30 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 €19. 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 €19, and a train costs an average of €51.
Distance: 157 miles (253 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€98 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest | €52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 3h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 €74 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Sunderland to Leicester costing on average €98.
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 40m.
Tickets start at around €98 compared to roughly €52 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-46.36. The journey takes 3h 37m versus 3h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Sunderland to Leicester trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:36 AM Sunderland | 4h13 | 11:49 AM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Sunderland to Leicester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €51 but you can travel from only €19 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:48, the last at 19:41. The fastest train covers the 157 miles (253 km) distance in 4h 11m.
Distance 157 miles (253 km) |
Average train duration 3h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price €51 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 11m |
First train 5:48 AM |
Last train 7:41 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
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.
Official public transport app
Leicester Railway Station -> Leicester City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sunderland 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 Sunderland to Leicester trains use the Sunderland to Leicester station pair. Use this guide to compare Sunderland and Leicester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Sunderland has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Sunderland.
Ticket office support is available at Sunderland.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Sunderland: Parking.
Available at Sunderland: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sunderland: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Lifts to all platforms for disabled passengers from the North end of the station. Open for all services, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Located on the North Concourse and accepts cash and cards, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
St Peters has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, WC, Hotel, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at St Peters.
Wi-Fi is available at St Peters. ATMs are available at St Peters.
Available at St Peters: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at St Peters: Bike Parking.
Stadium of Light is 1 km from Sunderland city centre. Public transport options include:
Stadium of Light has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, WC, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Stadium of Light.
ATMs are available at Stadium of Light.
Available at Stadium of Light: WC.
Available at Stadium of Light: Bike Parking.
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