Trains to Leicester

"Built over the buried ruins of two millennia of history, Leicester (les-ter) suffered at the hands of the Luftwaffe and postwar planners but an influx of textile workers from India and Pakistan from the 1960s transformed the city into a bustling multicultural hub” Lonely Planet

Tip 1: If possible book tickets in advance
Cheap train tickets to Leicester can be found if you can book your train tickets ahead of your journey. Rail companies release advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of your departure date at much cheaper prices. There can be high demand for these tickets so the earlier you search and book them the better. Money can still be saved if you try to book as late as an hour before you travel if there are still tickets available.

As the largest city in England’s East Midlands region and one of the oldest cities in the country, Leicester is filled with many interesting sights. The surprising discovery of the remains of King Richard III in 2012 in a car park in the city has sparked a flurry of development. This includes a visitor centre on the site where the remains were found and the restoration of the cathedral where the King was reburied.

Tip 2: Use a ticket retailer that doesn't charge a booking fee
At Split My Fare, unlike other companies, we don't charge booking fees or charge you to use you credit card. The only additions to the cost of tickets booked with us is if we make you savings by splitting your fare. We then charge you 10% but only of what we have saved for you. If we don't manage to split your journey then we make no charge making it advantageous to use us. We are a National Rail Accredited retailer with built-in purchase protection so can be trusted.

Tip 3: Make sure you claim a refund if your train is delayed
Delayed trains can cause problems for your travel arrangements and unfortunately can happen. Using the Delay Repay scheme you are able to apply for a full or partial refund of your fare even if there has been as little as a 15 minute delay on you arriving at your destination station. It is advisable to check the policy of the rail company you are travelling with to find out what refund you are eligible for and then apply for it through them.

Leicester railway station is on the main rail route from London to Leeds and most services are operated by East Midlands Trains coming from the St. Pancras Station. There are up to four trains travelling from the capital every hour. There are also direct trains coming from the cities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield amongst others.

Tip 4: Stay on a quieter route if possible
Another tool to get you cheap train tickets to Leicester is to avoid popular routes to popular stations at busy times as ticket prices are based on demand. To achieve these savings it is best to travel on weekdays and avoid rush hours. It also helps to avoid bank holidays and popular holiday times.

Tip 5: Book as a group
If you are planning on a visit to Leicester as a group you can make savings by booking together and travelling on the same trains during off-peak times using a groupsave discount. This applies if 3-9 people are travelling together and means you can get up to 1/3 off your train tickets. If you book with us and we split your fare it could mean you having lots of paper tickets but you can receive your on your phone via E-Ticket and forward them to the other group members avoiding this problem.

Tip 6: Look at single and return tickets to Leicester
It can be automatic to book a return ticket if you are not taking a one-way trip but returning to your departure station having visited Leicester but it may not always be the cheapest way. If you check the prices of journeys using two single tickets or a flexible open return as well as a normal return you will get the best price. Using Split My Fare we automatically look at the different combinations in order to find you the cheapest available option to and from your destinations. We then sell you them having made any split ticketing for you which saves you even more money.

All of the attractions in the centre of Leicester are easily accessible by foot and an extensive network of public buses provides services throughout the city.

St. Nicholas’ Church is one of the most notable places of worship in Leicester. It’s more than 1200 years old and it houses the Jewry Wall, said to be the largest piece of Roman masonry in the UK that’s still standing. Another famous church, the Leicester Cathedral, used to be the Church of St Martin and was later transformed to a Cathedral when the diocese of Leicester was restored.

Tip 7: Choose the slower trains
Some people enjoy train travel and are in no rush to get to their destinations. By using a less direct train to Leicester and maybe using a local line it can help your journey to be cheaper. Using our website we can work out the best way to save money and recommend these fares to you. If you need to get to destinations fast then you can choose the option of only seeing faster trains.

Tip 8: Compare standard and first class tickets
If you compare prices it can be key in saving money on your journey and surprisingly this can be helpful when choosing whether to travel with a first class or standard ticket. The cost of tickets is dependent on the amount of demand there is and so if not many first class tickets have been sold for your Leicester trains then the price may be comparable to a standard fare or even the cheapest. The other advantage of this choice is that you will find the luxuries of a bigger seat, which gives you space, free tea and coffee and the availability of food to be a great travel bonus.

The King Richard III visitor centre is an exploration centre that was erected at the site where the remains of the king were found. It also contains information about the life of the King of England and some stories about the discovery of his remains.

Tip 9: Invest in a Railcard to help you get cheap train tickets
It is worth considering buying a railcard if you travel regularly on a train and even if you only travel 3 or 4 times a year you can make savings on your journeys. To find more information you can look on the railcard website and tickets can be purchased from National Rail Ticket Offices.

Most railcards come at a price of only £30 – for example, the Two Together card allows two adults to save on most fares.

The Family and Friends railcard gives you a 60% discount on fares for children and up to a 1/3 off all tickets for up to 4 children and 4 adults on certain trains.

The Senior card offers similar discounts, at the reduced amount of £70 for three years valid on select trains.

The Disabled Persons railcard allows disabled customers to access discounts of up to a 1/3 on their trains to Bristol at a cost of £30.

Other Railcards such as the Network Railcard, 16-25 and 26-30 Railcard are available for use with all trains.

There are other cards available which could be suitable for you.

Tip 10: Be flexible in your planning and be willing to make changes
A flexible approach is the key in getting you to Leicester train station with cheap train tickets. Using all the tips that we have outlined, especially changing your date and time of travel and travelling at a time of lower demand will all help. You can use our journey planner to find the most suitable tickets at reduced fares for your needs.