Leeds is a bustling city with so much to offer. It even calls itself the unofficial capital of Yorkshire! But, how do you get there on a budget? Here’s our guide to grabbing cheap train tickets to Leeds.

Can I get cheap train tickets to Leeds from London?

If you’re after cheap train tickets to Leeds, the most logical option would be to take the direct LNER service out of London King’s Cross. Let’s take a look at what our choices are if we book a month in advance:

In this case, it’s fairly simple. The logical option is the best one. We’ve looked into travelling via York, Sheffield and even taking Grand Central up to Wakefield (and then changing for a train to Leeds), and there isn’t anything cheaper.

Instead of who you travel with, we’d recommend looking at when you travel. For example, on a Friday, there aren’t any peak-time restrictions in and out of London King’s Cross all day, so Advance fares are essentially ‘capped’ at the price of the Super Off-Peak fare.

What about cheap train tickets to Leeds from Manchester?

If you’re coming from Manchester, then the cheapest (and most reliable) option at the moment is to take a Northern service from Manchester Victoria. Here’s what we see if we look to book a week in advance:

Northern offers a slower service, but the fare is much cheaper.

These fares are often offered right up until the train leaves, so it’s even possible to bag cheap train tickets to Leeds while you’re on your way to the station.

I’m coming from Glasgow, what are my options?

If you’re coming from Scotland’s largest city, there is an option that you might not have originally thought of. How about a scenic trip down the Settle & Carlisle Line? Let’s see what we can find when we look a week ahead:

Best of all, the £54.50 single fare is a flexible ticket, so the price won’t change before your journey. If you’re making a return journey (within one month), it’s £68.10.

Its not the fastest option, but it also isn’t much slower than other routes.

Are there cheap train tickets to Leeds from Chester?

Yes! There’s even a direct Northern service. It’s as simple as aiming to travel on it:

It’s the slowest option to stay on the train all the way to Leeds, but it’s the cheapest. Simply sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by.

How about if I’m coming from York?

Fancy doing some shopping in Leeds? A few drinks? A day trip to Leeds doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s what we see if we try to book for the following day:

Northern is cheapest, as you can see. Don’t forget that an Off-Peak Day Return (valid on any Northern train after 09:29 on weekdays, any time weekends and Bank Holidays) is £13, so you shouldn’t be paying any more than this. Even better, we can sell you a Duo ticket for two adults for just £19.50 return.

Are there any other tips that I should know?

Here at Railsmartr, we know how difficult it can be to navigate the world of train tickets. Why not check out our pages on the best time to travel for cheap tickets and the best First Class train next?

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with Railsmartr. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 12:00 09/06/23. They’re subject to change at any time and Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}